Passive

Why do we use the passive voice?

In English, the most important part of the sentence is usually the subject. We
use the passive voice to change the focus of the sentence, especially when
‘who’ is doing the action isn't the most important detail.

My sketchbook was stolen. (passive – focus is on ‘what’ was stolen)

Someone stole my sketchbook. (active – focus is on ‘who’ stole the sketchbook)

When do we use the passive voice?

 When the doer of the action is not known:

 Example: 'The painting was stolen from the gallery.'

 When the doer of the action is obvious:

 Example: 'The photographs were taken in bright daylight.' (At the

photographer’s exhibit.)

 When we don’t want to say who the doer is (common in business

settings):

 Example: 'The artwork was damaged during the move.'

 When the doer is not important:

 Example: 'A new sculpture will be unveiled at the campus entrance next
month.' (By the administration)

 When the doer is important but not our focus:

 Example: 'The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.'

 In formal or scientific writing, where it's commonly preferred:

 Example: 'The study was conducted to determine the effects of lighting on

the perception of colors in digital art.'

FORM
 We make the passive using the verb be + past participle. The subject position is not the
“doer” of the verb, like in active voice.

Avatar was directed by James Cameron.

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Focus be past participle doer of the action

In passive voice, only the "be" verb changes to indicate the tense, while the past
participle stays the same.

The Mona Lisa has only been stolen once but has
been vandalized many times.
Present perfect
Historically, comics have been collected as "works of art".

Exercise 1: Make these present perfect sentences passive. Don’t repeat 'somebody'.

1. Somebody has finished the report.

 Answer:

2. Somebody has sculpted the piece.

 Answer:

3. Somebody has restored the mural.

 Answer:

4. Somebody has appointed the director.

 Answer:

5. Somebody has ordered the art supplies.

 Answer:

6. Somebody has set up the gallery exhibit.

 Answer:

SPEAKING PRACTICE – Simple Past vs Present Perfect

Passive Questions:
 Were you woken up by an alarm clock today? (simple past)

Have you ever been inspired by a film? (present perfect)

Directions: Ask passive questions to different classmates. When a

classmate answers 'yes' to a question, write that person's name and
ask a follow-up question to find out more information. You can't have
the same name more than once, so speak to as many different people
as possible.

Example:

Q: Were you woken up by an alarm clock today? (simple past)

A: No, were you? OR Yes, I was woken up at…

Q: Have you ever been inspired by a film? (present perfect)

A: No, have you? OR Yes, I was inspired by…

Find someone who… Name and More

Information
1. … was woken up by an alarm clock today.
Were you woken up by an alarm clock
today?
2. … has been inspired by a film.
Have you ever been inspired by a film?
3. … was sent a package this week.
4. …has been to the SCAD museum of art.
5. …was helped by someone recently.
6. …has attended a SCAD event.
7. …was asked to help someone today.
8. …has been given an award or prize.
Read the following passage. Pay special attention to the words in
bold.
(fictitious painter, museum, and story)

Tranquility was painted by

Eloise DuBois in 1902 and is
currently being displayed
at the Imaginaire Museum.
Historically, the piece is
believed to depict an actual
riverside in France’s
countryside, though this has
never been proven. This
mystery has captivated art
lovers and experts alike,
sparking debates about the
true location (that is being)
depicted in the painting.

Unfortunately, although
Tranquility has only been
stolen once, it has been damaged multiple times during attempted thefts.
Because of this, the museum is taking steps to keep it safe. Next month, the
painting's damaged frame is going to be carefully removed and
replaced. Additionally, the protective glass is being replaced and new
lighting is being installed. Furthermore, the museum is working on
improving its overall security to keep the artwork safe. All these changes are
expected to be completed within a week.

Looking back at the bold words in the passage, discuss the following
questions with a partner:

1. Why do you think the passive was used?

2. What tenses are being used?
3. Looking at the adverbs in green, notice and discuss their location in the
sentence.
4. Looking at the two sentences below, what rule(s) could you give about
having two verbs for the same subject?

Next month, the painting's damaged frame is going to be

carefully removed and replaced.
 Tranquility was painted by Eloise DuBois in 1902 and is
currently being displayed at the Imaginaire Museum.

Here are examples of the passive voice in some of the most common tenses, listed by
frequency of use.

Tense Example
A pottery vase is formed from clay, water, and glaze.
Present simple
Statues are carved from marble, stone, or wood.
The Eiffel Tower was constructed from 1887 to 1889.
Past simple
Hundreds were created by different artists.
The Mona Lisa has only been stolen once but has
been vandalized many times.
Present perfect
Historically, comics have been collected as "works of art".
Future simple The design will be finished in about a week.

be+going to The new sculpture is going to be displayed next week.

Modals The new design should be created by next week.

The hall is being painted this week.
Present continuous
Advertisements are being drawn up for the two posts.
When I visited the museum yesterday, a new installation was
Past continuous
being installed.

Exercise 2: Match the correct English tense in the passive to the given verb
forms.

Past Progressive, Present Perfect, Present Progressive, Simple Past, Simple

Present, will-future

1. is designed →

2. were painted →

3. have been sculpted →

4. are photographed →

5. will be exhibited →

6. was sketched →

7. are being critiqued →

8. has been edited →

 9. was being molded →

MIXED TENSES

Exercise 3: Change the following sentences from active to passive.

Example: modal (must)

 Active: They must complete the project before 5:00 pm.

 Passive: The project must be completed before 5:00 pm.

1. simple present: People display art in the gallery.

 Passive:

2. present progressive: I am designing the poster now.

 Passive:

3. simple past: The critic reviewed the exhibition yesterday.

 Passive:

4. past progressive: He was painting the mural when I walked by.

 Passive:

5. future (will): Someone will install the sculpture in the lobby.

 Passive:

6. future (be going to): They are going to renovate the studio next
month.

 Passive:

7. present perfect: She has just sold her latest artwork.

 Passive:

8. modal (can): They can exhibit the photographs next Friday.

 Passive:
 Passive with TWO Objects

Who gave Lisa flowers?

Tim gave Lisa some flowers. (Active)

Who got flowers?

Lisa was given some flowers. (Passive)

What was given?

Some flowers were given to Lisa. (Passive)

Exercise 4: Turn the active sentences into passive two ways and omit the
“by phrase”.

1. The designer lent a sketchbook to Alex

Answer 1 (start with 'Alex'):

Answer 2 (start with 'a sketchbook'):

2. The curator revealed a new exhibit to the public

Answer 1:

Answer 2:

3. The gallery offered an exclusive viewing to the critic

Answer 1:

Answer 2:

4. The photographer showed a portfolio to the editor

Answer 1:

Answer 2:
NEGATIVE SENTENCES
Using the words provided, write sentences in the negative form of the
passive.

We use be + not + p.p. to form a negative passive sentence.

Example: They will display the painting in the main gallery. (not / display / in
the lobby)
Answer: The painting won’t be displayed in the lobby.

1. The curator is going to exhibit the new sculpture. (not / store / in the
warehouse)

2. I printed the photos in the studio. (not / print / at home)

3. She mixes her paints with water. (not / mix / with oil)

4. You should purchase your supplies from a specialty store. (not / buy /
online)

5. They will unveil the statue next year. (not / unveil / next week)

Common Errors/Error Correction

TIPS:

1. Use be, not do, to make negatives and questions with passive
voice.
No: The movie didn’t made in Hollywood.
Yes: The movie wasn’t made in Hollywword.
2. Don’t forget the main verb needs to be in the past participle
No: Popcorn is often ate during movies
Yes: Popcorn is often eaten during movies
3. Don’t forget the ‘be’ verb.
No: Music played during silent movies.
Yes: Music was played during silent movies.
Fix the Errors: Decide if the grammar in the following sentences is correct
or not. If not, fix the error.

1. Canvas did not sold in this store.

2. The mural painted last summer.

3. The sculpture was stole from the gallery last Friday.