Passive vs Active

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Active voice

Wild penguins attacked 

my sister yesterday.

Passive voice

My sister was attacked by wild penguins.

Subject

Subject

Action

Action

What is passive?

When do we use the passive?

When the action is more important than the person who does it.

When do we use the passive?

when the action is more important than the person

How do we make the passive?

to be + past participle (voltooid deelwoord)

When do we use the passive?

When the action is more important than the person who does it.

Examples: 

Active:        A zebra stopped the traffic.

passive:      The traffic was stopped by a zebra. 

Active:         The teacher teaches the student.

passive:       The student is taught (by the teacher).

Active:          The dog bites the man.

Passive:        The man was bitten (by the dog).

What is the subject (onderwerp) in the sentence?

The lion bit the man.

What is the object (voorbeeld) in the sentence?

The lion bit the man.

Is the sentence active or passive?

The lion bit the man.

1. Passive
2. Active

Make the sentence passive:

The lion bit the man.

am / is / are + past participle

active:       Someone cleans the office everyday.

passive      The office is cleaned every day.

active:        My boss doesn't ask me to work late.

passive:     I am not asked by my boss to work late.

was / were + past participle 

Active:         Someone painted our house last month.

Passive:      Our house was painted last month.

Active:        The noise did not wake me up.

passive:       I was not woken up by the noise. 

have/has been + past participle 

active:        UPS has delivered the letters.

passive:     The letters have been deliverd by UPS

active:         Thomas has written many books.

passive:      Many books have been written by Thomas.

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

The Government is planning a new road near my house

1. Passive
2. Active

Make a passive.
Start with: The oranges ...

Make a passive.
Start with: A goal ...

Make a passive.
Start with: The girl ....

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Homework

Maak van de volgende bedrijvende zinnen lijdende zinnen.

1. John delivered many parcels yesterday.

Many parcels were delivered yesterday

2. He will tell you when you are older.

You will be told when you are older.