Passive voice rules, examples
Passive
Passive voice
Sentences can be active or passive. Passive sentences: The object and the subject change positions in the sentence.
Somebody cleans the classroom every day.
The classroom is cleaned by someone every day.
object + to be + past participle (3rd form)
Active: Who is active?
Passive: What happens to persons and things?
Compare active and passive
Passive | Active |
The bike is sold. |
I sell a bike. |
How to make a passive
- 1. - Start with object first.
- 2. - Then use the be form of the verb (depending on the tense).
- 3. - Then add a past participle.
'by' agent
In a sentence with active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. This is expressed with the verb. In the most passive sentences the agent is not mentioned. If it is mentioned, it is usually done with the preposition by (by-agent).
How to use 'by' (by-Agent) - examples
Aktive |
Passive |
Passive examples simple past
I was
invited to a party.
You were
invited to a party.
He/She was
invited to a party.
We were
invited to a party.
You were
invited to a party.
They were
invited to a party.
Passive present perfect
How to build the passive - present perfect...
have/has + been + past participle (3rd form)
Examples: Passive present perfect
Cars have
been imported to
England.
You have been
taught English.
The shop has been
opened.
Passive past perfect
How to build the passive - past perfect...
had + been + past participle (3rd form)
Examples: Passive past perfect
The window had
been cleaned.
The door had been
closed.
Electric cars had been
invented.
Passive voice for all tenses
Passive simple present |
The doors are
closed. |
Passive voice present continuous
to be (am, is, are) + being + past participle
Example: Passive present continuous
A story is being written.
Passive / Passive Voice exercises
34 Test 1 Passive - all tenses
35 Test2 Passive - all tenses
English Passive Simple Present
01 Active - Passive rules
02 Passive voice
03 Active - Passive examples
04 Exercises Active und Passive
05 Active Passive im Simple present
06 Active und Passive
07 Active - Passive word order
08 Active - Passive word order
more ...
Passive Voice with explanations, examples and exercises. Change the following sentences into the passive voice and learn the passive voice in English with online exercises. Sentences can be active or passive. Free tutorial to English active and passive voice. So don't hesitate to learn the difference between active voice and passive voice in writing with the English Grammar index active voice and passive voice.