The Passive Voice

We choose the active or the passive voice depending on what we are more interested in: Are we interested in the person who does something? Are we interested in the person who does something? Or are we interested in what happens? Or are we interested in what happens?

The Passive Voice John always hits the ball very hard. John always hits the ball very hard. The ball is always hit very hard. The ball is always hit very hard.

The Passive Voice It‘s It‘s a beautiful day and John is driving his new green car. The The new green car is being driven driven by John.

The Passive Voice It‘s Sunday morning and Tony has just made some toast. It‘s Sunday morning and Tony has just made some toast. The toast has just been made. The toast has just been made.

The Passive Voice Susan is a famous architect. She is going to build a lighthouse on the Cornish coast next year. Susan is a famous architect. She is going to build a lighthouse on the Cornish coast next year. The The lighthouse lighthouse is going to be built built on the Cornish coast next year.

Exercises Scientists in Geneva have discovered a new planet. Scientists in Geneva have discovered a new planet. A new planet has been discovered by scientist in G. The president will open the National Museum. The president will open the National Museum. The National Museum will be opened by the president. A local firm is building the new primary school. A local firm is building the new primary school. The new primary school is being built by a local firm.

To have / get sth. done When someone does work for us, we can use ‘have something done’. When someone does work for us, we can use ‘have something done’. Last year I had new tiles (=Dachziegel) put on the roof. Last year I had new tiles (=Dachziegel) put on the roof. I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow. I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow. Using ‘get’ instead of ‘have’ in the examples above would be more informal. Using ‘get’ instead of ‘have’ in the examples above would be more informal. I’m going to get my hair cut tomorrow. I’m going to get my hair cut tomorrow.

The engine The engine is being repaired.

The bench has been painted.

A space shuttle is going to be sent to Mars in NASA SENDS SPACE SHUTTLE TO MARS IN 2012!!

Jacob was born in 2003.

The dishes are being cleaned.

Brad had his hair cut. BEFOREAFTER

Jessica had her hair dyed/cut. BEFOREAFTER