dijous, 16 d’abril del 2015

UNIT 6 - EXPRESS YOURSELF



The PASSIVE VOICE is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action.
The Passive is formed: Passive Subject + To Be + Past Participle

It is often used in business and in other areas where the object of the action is more important than those who perform the action. 
  • We have produced over 20 different models in the past two years. Changes to: Over 20 different models have been produced in the past two years.
If the agent (the performer of the action) is important, use "by" 
  • Tim Wilson wrote "The Flight to Brunnswick" in 1987. Changes to:"The Flight to Brunnswick" was written in 1987 by Tim Wilson.
Only verbs that take an object can be used in the passive.
The following chart includes sentences changed from the active to the passive in the principal tenses.
ACTIVEPASSIVETENSE
They make Fords in Cologne.Fords are made in Cologne.Present Simple
Susan is cooking dinner.Dinner is being cooked by SusanPresent Continuous
James Joyce wrote "Dubliners"."Dubliners" was written by James Joyce.Past Simple
They were painting the house when I arrived.The house was being painted when I arrived.Past Continuous
They have produced over 20 models in the past two years.Over 20 models have been produced in the past two years.Present Perfect
They are going to build a new factory in Portland.A new factory is going to be built in Portland.Future Intention with Going to
I will finish it tomorrow.It will be finished tomorrow.Future Simple
Now you can check your understanding with these quizzes:
If you want more explanations about the passive voice you can go to Grammar Explanations - Passive Voice. Now we are going to do some exercises to practise with the passive voice. Do as much of them as you can! And If you finish and want to do some more you can go to agendaweb - passive.
Publicat per a

Cap comentari:

Publica un comentari a l'entrada

Subscriure's a: Comentaris del missatge (Atom)