English — Grammar: The Passive Voice — Formation and Uses in All Tenses — 3rd Year Secondary — Literary Stream — Algerian Curriculum

The Passive Voice: Formation and Uses

1. Formation

Active : Subject + verb + object

Passive : Object + be (conjugated) + past participle (+ by + agent)

2. Tense Transformations

Tense	Active	Passive
Present Simple	He writes a letter	A letter is written
Present Continuous	He is writing a letter	A letter is being written
Past Simple	He wrote a letter	A letter was written
Past Continuous	He was writing a letter	A letter was being written
Present Perfect	He has written a letter	A letter has been written
Past Perfect	He had written a letter	A letter had been written
Future Simple	He will write a letter	A letter will be written
Modal Verbs	He must write a letter	A letter must be written

3. When to Use the Passive

1. Agent unknown : My car was stolen last night.
2. Agent obvious : He was arrested. (by the police)
3. Emphasize action : The painting was sold for one million dollars.
4. Formal writing : Scientific reports, news articles, academic papers.

4. Exercises

Exercise : Change from active to passive.

1. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet. > Hamlet _______.
2. The chef is cooking dinner. > Dinner _______.
3. Someone has stolen my phone. > My phone _______.
4. Students must complete the form. > The form _______.
5. They will announce the results tomorrow. > The results _______.

Answer Key

1. was written by Shakespeare · 2. is being cooked · 3. has been stolen · 4. must be completed · 5. will be announced tomorrow

See also Reported Speech and Modal Verbs.