the passive voice
DESCRIPTION
Passive voiceTRANSCRIPT
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The Passive Voice( By C. Alpzar N.)http://www.e-grammar.org/passive-voice/
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Characteristics
It is used in formal (academic, scientific) readings and writings.
It is rarely used when speaking. It can be used, but it is not as common as in readings or formal writings.
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Components1. a transitive verb (allows a direct object)2. a subject3. a direct object (or a by agent)4. the preposition by (not all the time)5. the verb be as an auxiliary6. a past participle
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Simple Present Active
John writes articles for La Nacin every day.
John = subjectwrites = transitive verbarticles = direct object
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Simple Present Passive
Articles are written by John every day for La Nacin.
Articles = new subjectare written = auxiliary be in present + past participleby John = By agent (not always necessary / present in a sentence)
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Important Note
John writes articles = singular subject
Articles are written by John = plural subject.
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On-line ExercisesSimple Present Passive
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?simple-present
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/sentences_simple_present.htm
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Simple Past Active
Mozart composed the operaThe Magic Flute in 1773.
Mozart = subjectcomposed = transitive verb the operaThe Magic Flute = direct object
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Simple Past Passive
The operaThe Magic Flute was composed by Mozart in 1773.
The operaThe Magic Flute = new subjectwas composed = auxiliary be in past + past participleby Mozart = By agent (not always necessary / present in a sentence)
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Important Note
Mozart composed many symphonies = singular subject
Many symphonies were composed by Mozart = plural subject
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On-line ExercisesSimple Past Passive
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?simple-past
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/sentences_simple_past.htm
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Present Continuous Active
Researchers are launching (*) a new rocket today.
Researchers = subjectare launching = transitive verba new rocket = direct object (*) initiate
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Present Continuous Passive
A new rocket is being launched by researchers today.
A new rocket = new subjectis being launched = auxiliary be in present (is) + auxiliary be in present continuous (being) + past participleby researchers = By agent (not always necessary / present in a sentence)
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Important Note
Researchers are launching a new rocket today. = plural subject
A new rocket is being launched by researchers today. = singular subject
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On-line ExercisesPresent Continuous Passive
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?present-progressive http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=4945
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Present Perfect Active
Scientists have improved technology in the last century.
Scientists = subject have improved = transitive verb technology = direct object
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Present Perfect Passive
Technology has been improved by Scientists in the last century.
Technology = new subject has been improved = auxiliary has + past participle of be (been) + another past participleby researchers = By agent (not always necessary / present in a sentence)
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Important Note
Scientists have improved technology in the last century. = plural subject
Technology has been improved by Scientists in the last century. = singular subject
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On-line ExercisesPresent Perfect Passive
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?present-perfect
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=4946
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Simple Future Active
People will drink Coca Cola in the 21st century.
People = subject will drink = transitive verb Coca Cola = direct object
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Simple Future Passive
Coca Cola will be drunk by people in the 21st century.
Coca Cola = new subject will be drunk = auxiliary will + auxiliary-infinitive be + past participle the verb by people = By agent (not always necessary / present in a sentence)
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Important Note
People will drink Coca Cola in the 21st century. = plural subject
Coca Cola will be drunk by people in the 21st century. = singular subject
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Modals and Active Voice 1. Astronauts (subject) could launch (modal auxiliary + transitive verb)space stations (direct object)2. Humanity (subject) should start (modal auxiliary + transitive verb)space colonies (direct object) 3. Scientists (subject) will perfect (modal auxiliary + transitive verb)the necessary technology (direct object) soon.
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Modals and Passive Voice 1. Space stations (new subject) could be launched (modal auxiliary + auxiliary be + past participle) by Astronauts (by agent)2. Space colonies (new subject) should be started (modal auxiliary + auxiliary be + past participle) by Humanity (by agent) 3. The necessary technology (new subject) will be perfected (modal auxiliary + auxiliary be + past participle) by Scientists(by agent)
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On-line ExercisesModal Auxiliaries and Passive Voice
http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Green%20Level/G8%20Modal%20Passive.html
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?05
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On-line ExercisesPassive Voice Review
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/passiv.htm
http://www.myenglishgrammar.com/exercise-15-passive-voice.html
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=197
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On-line ExercisesActive VS Passive Voice
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/active_or_passive.htm
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/active-passive.html
http://www.englishgrammar.org/active-passive-voice-exercise-ii/