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THE CLASSROOM
6
THE CLASSROOM
£ 1.30
Monday, March 17, 2017
Vol XCIII, No. 311
The Passive Voice
Shall we take the agent into account ?
The Active Voice
We use the PASIVE voice when we want to focus on the person AFFECTED by the action OR on the ACTION itself.
e.g. Many crimes are committed in big cities. (we don't mention generalised agents).
The suspect was identified by a witness.
Use
Active VS Passive
What changes can you find?
*TIP: you need to identify the Subject, the Verb and the Object in the sentences
A
We use the ACTIVE voice when we want to focus on the agent of the action, the person responsible for what happens or happened.
e.g. People commit many crimes in big cities.
A witness identified the suspect.
A
P
Do you see any differences between the active and the passive constructions?
How the Westminster terror
attack unfolded on video
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/22/westminster-terror-attack-everything-know-far/?playlist=structure%3Anews
WHEN?
HOW?
*Agent
Present Simple VS Past Simple
Structure & Important Elements
Unknown or unimportant
Now, change the sentences into the ACTIVE voice
Present Simple Passive:
Tom's bike was stolen. (unknown agent)
The road is repaired. (unimportant agent)
them
steals
The thief
(he)
When the focus is an action in the PRESENT.
e.g. TODAY, only adults are sent to prison.
Generalised
The Venus of Milo is found at the Louvre.
(You find the Venus of Milo at the Louvre.)
Smart phones are used for many different things.
(We/People use smart phones for many different things).
Past Simple Passive:
PRONOUNS
the thief
by
stolen
They
are
Agent?
(him)
?
When the focus is an action in the PAST.
e.g. LONG AGO, children were sent to prison.
Obvious
TO BE
PAST PARTICIPLE
The murderer was arrested. (The police arrested the murderer)