The Passive Voice in English: Formation and Uses

The Passive Voice in English

Form: Subject + be (conjugated) + past participle + (by + agent). Used when the action is more important or the doer is unknown.

Examples by tense

• Present: Cheese is made from milk.
• Past: Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.
• Present Perfect: The work has been finished.
• Future: A new school will be built.
• Modal: The report must be finished.

When to use

1. Agent unknown: My car was stolen.
2. Agent obvious: He was arrested.
3. Emphasize action: The building was completed in 2020.
4. Formal/academic writing.

Exercise

Change to passive:

1. The chef cooks the meal.
2. The students will submit the reports.

See Comparative and Superlative and Wh-Questions.