1. The passive voice Active voiceThe subject is performing the action of the verb Tammy is calling Alex subjectverb agent The agent is active

2. The passive voice The subject receives the action Tammy is being called by Alex agent The agent is passive

3. The passive voice Formationconjugated form of être + past participle of main verb (+ par + agent) England is beaten by France England was beaten by France England will be beaten by France L’Angleterre est battue par la France L’Angleterre a été battue par la France L’Angleterre sera battue par la France

4. The passive voice Uses It places the focus on the object of the verb rather than the subject Paroles a été écrit par Prévert It draws attention to an event without necessarily mentioning who is responsible for it Oh, Corey et Fiona ont été enlevés! It is often used for inventions, laws, and, logically enough, for events that one falls victim to Les parents de Tex ont été écrasés. La loi SOS-tatou a été votée. Un nouveau genre de grammaire a été créé.

5. The passive voice Ways to avoid the passive voice 1.When the agent of the verb can be identified, it is better to use the active voice and make the agent the subject of the verb. 2.When the agent of the verb can not be identified, use the active voice with “on” as the subject 3. The active verb will be in the same tense as the auxiliary verb Un lièvre est devancé par une tortueUne tortue devance un lièvre Un lièvre a été devancé par une tortueUne tortue a devancé un lièvre