The Passive Voice

MEANING - Consider the following sentences.

SUBJECT ACTIVE VERB OBJECT

Someone stole Mr. Bean’s bike.

Mr. Bean’s bike was stolen by someone.

SUBJECT PASSIVE VERB AGENT

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the ACTION. It is NOT important or known who or what
is performing the action.

FORM – RULE = Subject + verb to be (present/past/future) + Past Participle (verb 3) + (by object)
Tense ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE
PRESENT Rowan Atkinson plays Mr. Bean in the is + verb 3
SIMPLE movie. Mr. Bean ______________________ by
Rowan Atkinson in the movie.
PRESENT Mr. Bean is writing a postcard to his is being + verb 3
CONTINUOUS mum. A postcard _____________________ by
Mr. Bean.
PRESENT Rowan Atkinson has played the role has been + verb 3
PERFECT of Mr. Bean many times. The role of Mr. Bean
________________________ by Rowan
Atkinson many times.
PAST SIMPLE Rowan Atkinson _________________ was + verb 3
Mr. Bean in the film. Mr. Bean was played by Rowan Atkinson
in the film.
PAST Mr. Bean _______________________ was being + verb 3
CONTINUOUS a postcard to his mum. A postcard was being written by Mr. Bean.
PAST PERFECT Mr. Bean had written a postcard to had been + verb 3
his mum. A postcard _________________________
by Mr. Bean.
FUTURE will Rowan Atkinson _________________ will be + verb 3
the role of Mr. Bean in 2018. The role of Mr. Bean will be played by
Rowan Atkinson in 2018.
MODAL Only Rowan Atkinson _____________ can be + verb 3
VERBS the role of Mr. Bean. The role of Mr. Bean can only be played by
Rowan Atkinson.