Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than 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 anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).

Form of Passive

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Example: A letter was written.                    (I wrote a letter: active voice)

When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:

• the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
• the finite form of the verb is changed (to be+ past participle)

the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)

Examples of Passive

Examples of Passive

Passive Sentences with Two Objects

Rewriting an active sentence with two objects in passive voice means that one of the two objects becomes the subject, the other one remains an object. Which object to transform into a subject depends on what you want to put the focus on.

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As you can see in the examples, adding by Rita does not sound very elegant. That’s why it is usually dropped.

Personal and Impersonal Passive

Personal Passive simply means that the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. So every verb that needs an object (transitive verb) can form a personal passive.

Example: They build houses. – Houses are built.

Verbs without an object (intransitive verb) normally cannot form a personal passive sentence (as there is no object that can become the subject of the passive sentence). If you want to use an intransitive verb in passive voice, you need an impersonal construction – therefore this passive is called Impersonal Passive.

Example: he says – it is said

Impersonal Passive is not as common in English as in some other languages (e.g. German, Latin). In English, Impersonal Passive is only possible with verbs of perception (e. g. say, think, know).

Example: They say that women live longer than men. – It is said that women live longer than men.

Although Impersonal Passive is possible here, Personal Passive is more common.

Example: They say that women live longer than men. – Women are said to live longer than men.

The subject of the subordinate clause (women) goes to the beginning of the sentence; the verb of perception is put into passive voice. The rest of the sentence is added using an infinitive construction with ‘to’ (certain auxiliary verbs and that are dropped).

Sometimes the term Personal Passive is used in English lessons if the indirect object of an active sentence is to become the subject of the passive sentence.

Passive Text – The Statue of Liberty

Complete the sentences (Active or Passive Voice). Use Simple Present or Simple Past.

1. The Statue of Liberty __________(give) to the United States by France.
2. It __________(be) a present on the 100th anniversary of the United States.
3. The Statue of Liberty __________(design) by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.
4. It __________(complete) in France in July 1884.
5. In 350 pieces, the statue then (ship) to New York, where it __________(arrive)  on 17 June 1885.
6. The pieces __________(put) together and the opening ceremony __________(take)  place on 28 October 1886.
7. The Statue of Liberty __________(be) 46 m high (93 m including the base).
8. The statue __________(represent) the goddess of liberty.
9. She __________(hold) a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand.
10. On the tablet you ___________(see / can) the date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776).
11. Every year, the Statue of Liberty __________(visit) by many people from all over the world.

Answers

1. The Statue of Liberty was givento the United States by France.
2. It wasa present on the 100th anniversary of the United States.
3. The Statue of Liberty was designedby Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.
4. It was completedin France in July 1884.
5. In 350 pieces, the statue then was shippedto New York, where it arrived on 17 June 1885.
6. The pieces were puttogether and the opening ceremony took place on 28 October 1886.
7. The Statue of Liberty is46 m high (93 m including the base).
8. The statue representsthe goddess of liberty.
9. She holdsa torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand.
10. On the tablet you can seethe date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776).
11. Every year, the Statue of Liberty is visited by many people from all over the world.