Passive Voice
The passive voice is less usual than the active voice. The active voice is the "normal" voice. But sometimes we need the passive voice. In this lesson we look at how to construct the passive voice, when to use it and how to conjugate it.
Construction of the Passive Voice
The structure of the passive voice is very simple:
subject + auxiliary verb (be) + main verb (past participle)
The main verb is always in its past participle form.
Use of the Passive Voice
We use the passive when:
.we want to make the active object more important
.we do not know the active subject


Active or Passive Quiz
1 I ate a piece of chocolate cake. active passive
Click for answer active
2 The librarian read the book to the students. active passive
Click for answer active
3 The money was stolen. active passive
Click for answer passive
4 They are paid on Fridays. active passive
Click for answer passive
5 The movie is being made in Hollywood. active passive
Click for answer passive
6 I washed my car three weeks ago. active passive
Click for answer active
7 His hair was cut by a professional. active passive
Click for answer passive
8 I will introduce you to my boss this week. active passive
Click for answer active
9 It would have been fixed on the weekend. active passive
Click for answer passive
10 The national anthem is being sung by Jason this time. active passive
Click for answer passive