The passive

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

13,3 business letters

Goals

You learn how you can change an active sentence into a passive one

You write a letter of complaint

The passive

You need to be able to recognize active and passive sentences before you can change them into one of the two. 

1. The cat was chased by the dog
2. The dog chased the cat.

1. 1 is active, 2 is passive
2. 1 is passive, 2 is active

The passive

So, what's the difference between the two?

The dog chased the cat

The cat was chased by the dog

Wanneer we een bedrijvende (active) zin hebben, doet het onderwerp iets. In dit geval is 'the dog' het onderwerp, en die doet iets, hij achtervolgt namelijk een kat.

The passive

So, what's the difference between the two?

The dog chased the cat

The cat was chased by the dog

Wanneer we een lijdende (passieve) zin hebben, ondergaat het onderwerp iets. In dit geval is 'the cat' het onderwerp, en die ondergaat iets. Hij wordt namelijk achtervolgt. 

The passive

Hoe maak je hem?  

Onderwerp (oude lijdend voorwerp)+ vorm van 'to be' + voltooid deelwoord. 

The gardener planted the flowers.

The flowers were planted by the gardener.

Wanneer we van een active zin een passive zin maken, zetten we het lijdend voorwerp vooraan. 

The passive

Lionel Messi scored a goal for Barcelona.

A goal was scored for Barcelona by Lionel Messi.

He defeated the two noobs in Fortnite

Two noobs were defeated in Fortnite (by him)

The scientist discovered the cure.

A cure was discovered by the scientist. 

The passive

The musician plays the guitar.

The guitar is played by the musician.

The girl writes a letter.

A letter is written by the girl.

The doctor examines the patient.

The patient is examined by the doctor.

The passive

The child broke the vase.

.........................................................

The company launched the product.

...................................................................

The singer performed the song

..............................................................

The company produces paper.

He closed the door

She booked a trip to the States

He won the race.

He denied him access to the building

The wind blows the leaves

Write a letter of complaint.