the passive

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

What is the difference between an active and a passive sentence?

How to recognize a passive sentence...

- check if there is a form of 'to be' used (am, are, is, was, were, been)

- is it followed by a participle (voltooid deelwoord)?

- is it followed by 'by + noun or pronoun? If not, could it be?

Are all answers 'yes'? Congratulations, you have a passive sentence.

What makes a sentence passive?

The combination of 'to be' + past participle (volt. dlw) makes a sentence passive

The student is taught (by the teacher).

The man was bitten (by the dog).

What is the object in this sentence?

(Lijdend voorwerp)

The lion bit the man.

He is stealing a bike.

The bike has been stolen.

How can you construct a passive?

....all the possibilities......

The Government is planning a new road near my house.

1. passive
2. active

This room has been painted blue.

1. passive
2. active

I don't think this room.... (clean) yesterday.

One day English.... (speak) everywhere.

He must fill in the form.

She is carrying all the boxes.

Make a passive. Start with 'a goal'...

Make a passive. Start with 'the oranges'...

To summarize 

1: Object <-> subject

2: Add form of 'to be'

3: Main verb -> past participle

Let's try

Turn to page 65 of your Reference Katern and do exercises 11 B and D on the passive.