The Passive: overview

 

Passive constructions are used when the speaker wants to focus not on the subject but on the action itself and the object receiving this action:

• Millions of people play mobile games every day (focus on “millions of people”).
• Mobile games are played by millions of people every day (focus on “mobile games are played”).
• Butter is made from milk.
• The telephone was invented by Alexander Bell.

 

Positive statements with passive constructions are built using various forms of ‘be’ (is, are, were, etc.) + the Past Participle form of the verb:

• The office is cleaned every day.
• I was born in 1980.
• These castles were built by our ancestors.

 

Note: For regular verbs, this is the “-ed” form of the verb. For the list of Past Participle forms of irregular verbs see Verbs: irregular in the Pre-Intermediate course.

 

To make negative statements with passive constructions, use:

subject + form of ‘be’ + not + Past Participle.

• I was not offered any job.
• That bird is not usually seen in our region.
• They weren’t invited to the party last Saturday.

 

To make questions with passive constructions, use:

(Question word) + form of ‘be’ + subject + Past Participle

• Where were you born?
• Was anybody injured in the accident?
• Were you paid when you finished your work?