Grammar Review: Passive voice structures

When do we use the passive voice?

The passive is used when the person responsible for an action is not known or is not important:

• The beer is forced at high pressure through a sieve.
• A similar process is used in some Arab countries.
• I was given a watch for my birthday.

The passive is also used when we want to avoid mentioning the person responsible for an action:

• You were asked to arrive at 8 a.m. (less ‘personal’ than: I asked you to arrive …)
• This essay must be handed in next Monday.

By is often used with the passive to show who was responsible for an action:

• Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming.
• The first landing on the moon was made in 1969 by the Americans.
• The research is being done by a team of European scientists.

 

How do we form the passive voice?

Ex. 1: Complete the table below with the correct passive voice structures.

a)	They often do it.
b)	They are doing it now.
c)	They did it yesterday.
d)	They were doing it when the rain started.
e)	They have already done it.
f)	They will do it.
g)	They are going to certainly do it.
h)	They would do it.
i)	They would have done it.

Ex. 2: Learn more about the passive voice structures for the present and past simple tenses in the BBC 6 Minute Grammar podcast.

Buckingham Palace, Royal residence, London, United Kingdom

Ex. 3: Complete the sentences with the correct passive voice form in the past simple tense.

1. The site where Buckingham Palace is located ____ was chosen ___ (to choose) by King Henry VIII.
2. A first building at the site as a forerunner to today’s palace __________________ (to build) by Lord Goring of Hustpierpoint in 1640. 
3. In 1703, the original Buckingham House ________________________ (to build) by the Duke of Buckingham.
4. In 1762, Buckingham House ___________________________ (to buy) by King George III for £ 28,000.
5. Because of the king’s passion for book collecting, a fine library _________________ (to create) in the house.
6. From 1775 onwards, it ___________________________ (to know) as the “The Queen’s House” because it __________________________ (to give) to Queen Charlotte.
7. King George IV was responsible for further grand modifications to Buckingham House. The architect John Nash ___________________________ (to employ) with a list of improvements such as Marble Arch which _______________________ (to add) as the ceremonial entrance to the Palace. 
8. From 1825 onwards, Buckingham House __________________ (to know) as Buckingham Palace. 
9. Before Queen Victoria, Buckingham Palace __________________ (to use/not) as an actual royal residence. After her husband Prince Albert died, Buckingham Palace ______________ (to use/not) any longer and ____________________ (to leave) to become derelict.

Ex. 4: Recap what you have learnt about passive voice forms with the BBC Grammar Gameshow.

KEY: 

Ex. 3: 

a) It is often done.

b) It is being done now.

c) It was done yesterday

d) It was being done when the rain started.

e) It has already been done.

f) It will be done.

g) It is going to be certainly done.

h) It would be done.

i) It would have been done.

Ex. 5: 

1. … was chosen

2. … was built

3. … was built

4. … was bought

5. … was created

6. … was known/was given

7. … was employed/was added

8. … was known

9. … was not used/was not used/was left