Passive

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3-6

Active - Passive 

What does 'passive' mean ?

When do we use the passive voice?

When the passive voice is used

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.
Example: My bike was stolen. Focus > the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:
Example: A mistake was made instead of Piet made a mistake. 

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).

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, can it be followed by 'by zombies'?

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

ACTIVE= He is stealing a bike.

ACTIVE

ONDERWERP = WIE /WAT het doet staat vooraan de zin.

PASSIVE: The bike is stolen.

PASSIVE

DE ACTIE  staat vooraan. NIET wie het doet

Are the following sentences active or passive?

The Government is planning a new road near my house.

1. passive
2. active

Boys like to play soccer.

1. passive
2. active

This room has been painted blue.

1. passive
2. active

Cricket is played in Australia.

1. passive
2. active

The friends have been looking forward to meeting her.

1. passive
2. active

The search will be stopped because of the storm.

1. passive
2. active

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

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

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

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