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    Passive Voice

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    wael byati
    The document discusses the passive voice and its uses. The passive voice is formed using "be" + past participle and focuses on the recipient of the action rather than the doer. The passive voice is used when the agent is unknown, not important, or to avoid mentioning the agent. It can also be used with all verb tenses and with modals. The document also covers the causative form which is used to talk about services arranged for someone else using "have/get + object + past participle."

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    Passive Voice

    Uploaded by

    wael byati
    32 views4 pages
    The document discusses the passive voice and its uses. The passive voice is formed using "be" + past participle and focuses on the recipient of the action rather than the doer. The passive voice is used when the agent is unknown, not important, or to avoid mentioning the agent. It can also be used with all verb tenses and with modals. The document also covers the causative form which is used to talk about services arranged for someone else using "have/get + object + past participle."

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    Passive voice

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    The document discusses the passive voice and its uses. The passive voice is formed using "be" + past participle and focuses on the recipient of the action rather than the doer. The passive voice is used when the agent is unknown, not important, or to avoid mentioning the agent. It can also be used with all verb tenses and with modals. The document also covers the causative form which is used to talk about services arranged for someone else using "have/get + object + past participle."

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    32 views4 pages

    Passive Voice

    Uploaded by

    wael byati
    The document discusses the passive voice and its uses. The passive voice is formed using "be" + past participle and focuses on the recipient of the action rather than the doer. The passive voice is used when the agent is unknown, not important, or to avoid mentioning the agent. It can also be used with all verb tenses and with modals. The document also covers the causative form which is used to talk about services arranged for someone else using "have/get + object + past participle."

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 4

    3- Passive Voice

    I. Overview
    A. Active and passive sentences usually have the same meaning, but the focus is

    different.

    Example: Thousands of people watch this channel.

    - This channel is watch by thousands of people.

    B. The passive form is: be + past participle.

    Example: It is produced in China. /It was published in 2015.

    C. The passive is used when:

    - The agent is unknown or not important.

    Example: The book was written in 1978

    - The identity of the agent is clear from the context.

    Example: The novel is sold at the bookstore.

    If one wants to avoid mentioning the agent.

    Example: Some money was taken from the purse.

    D. Use the passive with by if you know the agent.

    Example: The article was written by a specialist in diet.

    E. mention the agent when:

    - You introduce necessary new information about the agent.

    Example: He has just been hired by Microsoft.

    - To give credit to someone.

    Example: The work was done by Tom Hunks.


    - The agent is surprising or interesting.

    Example: The house was cleaned by the kids.

    E. Never mention the agent when it is unnecessary.

    Example: The magazine is published once a week. (not by the publisher)

    II. Examples of passive transformation with different

    tenses

    Example 1. Tom writes books/ Books are written by Tom.

    Example 2. Sarah is drawing a car/ A car is being drawn by Sarah

    Example 3. The professor has assigned a reading/ A reading has been assigned

    by the professor.

    Example 4. They finished the work/ The work was finished

    Example 5. He was fixing the machine/ The machine was being fixed

    Example 6. We had sent the delivery/ The delivery had been sent.

    Example 7. The state will review the programs/ The programs will be reviewed.
    III. The passive with modals

    A. modal + be+ past participle:

    Example: They will be served soon/ They won´t be invited/ They must be given

    enough time.

    B. Can is used with the passive to express present ability.

    Example: The light house can be seen for miles.

    C. Could is used with the passive to express past ability.

    Example: The project could be finished last month.

    D. Should, ought to, had better, have to and must are used to express

    - Advisability: They should be prepared for the worse.

    - Necessity: The work must be done before noon.

    IV. The causative

    A. The causative is used to talk about services that you arrange for someone to

    do for you.

    Example: I have my car fixed by Mr. Taylor.

    B. Do not confuse the past causative and the past perfect.

    Example: She had her hair brushed by Clara. (Clara did it for her)

    She had brushed her hair. (She did it by herself)

    C. The causative form: have or get+ object+ past participle


    Example: He always has his hair cut by Collin.

    D. The causative can be used in all tenses and with modals.

    Example: I have not had it done since last January.

    - Last weekend I got my house cleaned.

    - I am getting the windows painted.

    - I should get the car serviced.

    - He is going to have his jacket dyed.

    F. Use by when it is necessary to mention the person doing the service (agent)

    Example: Laura has her nails done by her mother.

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