Passive Voice in Present Simple, Past Simple, Present Perfect and Future

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1-3

Passive Voice in Present Simple, Past Simple, Present Perfect and Future

This car has been designed for film.

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able 

- to create passive sentences in present simple, past simple, present perfect and future tenses. 

- to identify active and passive sentences 

- to identify in which verb tense they are written.

- to use passive reporting verbs

Introduce the learning objective to the students. Explain what they will be able to do by the end of the lesson.

What do you already know about passive sentences?

Active and Passive Sentences

Active sentences focus on the person or thing performing the action, while passive sentences focus on the person or thing receiving the action.

Joe is washing my car.

My car is being washed.

Explain the difference between active and passive sentences. Give examples of each to help students understand.

Which of the following is an example of a passive sentence in English?

1. The cake was baked by the chef.
2. The chef baked the cake.
3. The cake was baking in the oven.
4. The chef was baking the cake.

Passive form:  present - past - perfect

Passive form: future - modals

The raw material is processed in a factory.

1. active sentence
2. passive sentence

The cotton will be packaged and stored in a warehouse.

1. active sentence
2. passive sentence

Which verb tense is used here:
The items are distributed to the outlets.

1. present simple
2. past simple
3. present perfect

Which verb tense is used here:
The containers were unloaded in Rotterdam.

1. present simple
2. past simple
3. present perfect

Which verb tense is used here:
This drone has been designed to deliver medicine.

1. present simple
2. past simple
3. present perfect

What is the correct passive form:
They have developed self-driving systems.

1. Self-driving systems are developed.
2. Self-driving systems were developed.
3. Self-driving systems have been developed.

Passive reporting verbs

Verbs: believe - claim - report - say - think are often used in passive form.

• It + be + verb + that

It is thought that the criminal is a local man.

It was claimed that the minister was involved.

• Subject +be + reporting verb + infinitive

The criminal is thought to be a local man.

The minister was claimed to have been involved.

Rewrite the following sentence using passive reporting verbs:
People reported that there were gunshots.
It.....

Rewrite the following sentence using passive reporting verbs:
People claimed that the money was stolen.
It.....

Rewrite the following sentence using passive reporting verbs:
People say that the police made a lot of mistakes.
The police....

Complete the second sentence so that it has a meaning similar to the first one, using the word given.
The examiner tells candidates the regulations at the beginning of the exam.
TOLD
At the beginning of the exam candidates .................................... the regulations.

Complete the second sentence so that it has a meaning similar to the first one, using the word given.
The police have cancelled the demonstration.
HAS
The demonstration ....................................................... by the police.

Complete the second sentence so that it has a meaning similar to the first one, using the word given.
Did we send that letter to Mr Thomas?
WAS
Do you know if ........................................ to Mr Thomas?

What auxiliary verb is used to form passive sentences in English?

1. have
2. do
3. be
4. will

Do you understand how the passive can be used?

YES

MORE THAN BEFORE

IT IS STILL DIFFICULT

Over to you

BOOK UNIT 5: 

- GRAMMAR FOCUS page 54 - exercises 1-2-3-4-5-6

GRAMMAR REFERENCE page 150 - exercises 3 - 4

Present Simple Passive Sentences

Passive sentences in present simple tense are formed using the auxiliary verb 'am/are/is' and the past participle of the main verb.

The invoice is sent.

Explain how to form present simple passive sentences. Give examples and have students practice forming their own.

Past Simple Passive Sentences

Passive sentences in past simple tense are formed using the auxiliary verb 'was/were' and the past participle of the main verb.

The invoice was sent.

Explain how to form past simple passive sentences. Give examples and have students practice forming their own.

Present Perfect Passive Sentences

Passive sentences in present perfect tense are formed using the auxiliary verb 'have/has been' and the past participle of the main verb.

The invoice has been sent.

Explain how to form present perfect passive sentences. Give examples and have students practice forming their own.

Future Passive Sentences

Passive sentences in future tense are formed using the auxiliary verb 'will be' and the past participle of the main verb.

The invoice will be sent.

Explain how to form future passive sentences. Give examples and have students practice forming their own.

Write down 2 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.