The document discusses the form and use of the passive voice in English. It provides examples of changing active sentences to the passive voice. The key points are: 1) In the passive voice, the subject of the active sentence becomes the object and the object becomes the subject. 2) The verb "to be" is used along with the past participle form of the main verb. 3) The subject of the active sentence may become an agent prepositional phrase in the passive sentence. 4) The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action rather than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

2. Form of the PassiveForm of the Passive
Example: A letter was written
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note
the following:
1.1.The objectThe object of the active sentence becomes the subjectbecomes the subject
of the passive sentence.
He wrote a letter  A letter was written by him.
2. The verb to be2. The verb to be keeps the same tense as the main verb
in the active.
ACTIVE: Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet
PASSIVE: Romeo and Juliet was written by Shakespeare
Subject +Subject + verb verb to beto be + Past Participle + Past ParticipleSubject +Subject + verb verb to beto be + Past Participle + Past Participle

3. 3.3.The subjectThe subject of the active sentence becomes a prepositionalbecomes a prepositional
complementcomplement (complemento agente) of the passive sentence (or is(or is
dropped)dropped).
The Egyptians built the pyramids.
The pyramids were built (by the Egyptians)
4. Sometimes there are two possible answerstwo possible answers (two objects in
the active sentence).
Tim gave Lisa some flowers.
Answers:
Some flowers were given to Lisa by Tim. or
Lisa was given some flowers by Tim. (FAR MORE USUAL)

4. Use of the PassiveUse of the Passive
Example: My bike was stolen.
1. In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike
was stolen.. I do not knowI do not know, however, who did itwho did it.
2. Sometimes a statement in passive is more politemore polite than in active
voice, as the following example shows:
Example: A mistake was made.
 In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but
I do not blame anyoneI do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.)
The Passive voice is used when the focus is on the actionfocus is on the action.
It is not important or not known, however, who or what is
performing the action.
The Passive voice is used when the focus is on the actionfocus is on the action.
It is not important or not known, however, who or what is
performing the action.

5. Turn the following active sentences into
passive ones.
1. They shoot a lot of films on location.
A lot of films are shot on location.
2. The mechanic is repairing our car.
Our car is being repaired by the mechanic.
3. An earthquake destroyed the city.
The city was destroyed by an earthquake.
4. They were cooking paella.
Paella was being cooked.

6. Turn the following active sentences into
passive ones.
5. The make-up artist has transformed the actor into a monster.
The actor has been transformed into a monster by the
make-up artist
6. They had never defeated the Arsenal before.
The arsenal had never been defeated by them before.
7. They will release the film next summer.
The film will be released next summer.
8. They are going to celebrate a party next week.
A party is going to be celebrated next week.

7. Turn the following active sentences into
passive ones.
9. You have to pay the tickets before the play.
The tickets have to be paid before the play.
10. You must respect the rules.
The rules must be respected.
11. He is happy because they are going to reward him.
(use an infinitive)
He is happy ...
to be rewarded.
12. He hates when people take him photos. (use a gerund)
He hates...
being photographed.