grammar 12: passive voice

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Passive Voice?

Active vs Passive voice forms

* Most verbs have both active and passive forms:

The hunter killed the lion => The lion was killed by the hunter

* Subject and (in)direct object are switched: 

'the hunter <=> the lion'

* Passive forms are made up of the verb be with a past participle: 'was killed'

* If we want to show the person or thing doing the action, we use by: 'by the hunter'

The passive voice

Je gebruikt de lijdende vorm wanneer het belangrijk is 

wat er gebeurt, niet wie iets doet. 

Deze vorm komt vaak voor in nieuwsberichten, als bijvoorbeeld niet bekend is wie de dader is.

'a man was taken hostage in Amsterdam'

The windows are cleaned every month

The windows are being cleaned now

de ramen worden gelapt

de ra

* The windows are cleaned every month

   De ramen worden iedere maand gelapt

* The windows are being cleaned now

   De ramen worden nu gewassen

* The windows were cleaned

  De ramen werden gewassen

* The windows have been cleaned

  De ramen zijn gewassen

* The windows will be cleaned

  De ramen zullen gewassen worden

Rephrase using the Passive Voice:
'Jim washes his car every week'

1. Jim has washed his car
2. His car was washed every week
3. His car is washed every week
4. His car is being washed every week

Rephrase using the Passive Voice:
'The police arrested the convict.'

1. The convict was arrested.
2. The convict has been arrested.
3. The convict is arrested
4. The convict is being arrested.

Rephrase using the Passive Voice:
The police have caught the culprit.

1. The culprit is caught.
2. The culprit has been caught.
3. The culprit was caught.
4. The police will catch the culprit.

Translate:
Een pakket is (bij de buren) bezorgd

1. A parcel has been delivered
2. A parcel is delivered
3. A parcel was delivered
4. A parcel is being delivered

Translate:
Men vertelde hem de waarheid.

1. He has been told the truth
2. He was told the truth
3. He is told the truth
4. He is being told the truth

frequently used expressions

John has been asked to make a speech at the meeting.

You are supposed to wear a uniform.

The meeting is scheduled to start at seven.

I was given a present.

It is believed she is jealous of her sister.

It is said to be the most dangerous task.