Understanding the Passive Voice and Versatile Verbs
Explore the concept of the passive voice and versatile verbs, including examples and reasons for using passive voice constructions. Learn about verb tenses, when to use passive voice for cohesion or when the agent is unknown, and how to add modifiers to the agent. Discover tips for using passive voice effectively in official and informal language, as well as identifying unnecessary passive constructions.
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VERSATILE VERBS
THE PASSIVE VOICE The baby cried. (Intransitive verb) Cannot be made passive voice My roommate wrote the play. (Transitive) Can be transformed to passive voice: The play was written by my roommate.
Using the Passive Voice Verb Tenses (Passive Voice) PRESENT PAST FUTURE Simple am, is, are assigned am, is, are being assigned has, have been assigned was, were assigned was, were being assigned had been assigned will be assigned Progressive will be being assigned* will have been assigned Perfect * not used as it might sound awkward This time next week, I will be being served wonderful drinks in Hawai. Correct but a better use of it is as follows: This time next week, I will be in Hawai, being served wonderful drinks.
Reasons for Using the Passive Voice For cohesion (discussed later) When the agent is unknown (accepted belief) E.g. The universe is constructed in such a way that no material object can be transmitted faster than the velocity of light. When there is a need to use it straightforwardly. E.g. Joe was wounded in Iraq.
To add modifiers to the agent E.g. Early this morning a campus van was hit by a truck which was travelling at high speed. To show where the main focus is E.g. I increased the heat to 450 degrees and allowed it to remain at that temperature for 20 minutes. (active) The heat was increased to 450 degrees and allowed to remain at that temperature for 20 minutes. (passive)
In official language E.g. A tax hike has been proposed, but several other solutions are also being considered. In informal writings (when there is too many I s or when the teacher asks so) E.g. The sound of foghorns could be heard along the waterfront. Keep in mind! I is not the only alternative to the passive. E.g. The foghorns sounded along the waterfront. The sound of foghorns floated across the water.
There are also some unnecessary uses of the passive. E.g. That visit from Santa was an occurence that would never be forgotten by the family. Revised versions: The family would never forget that visit from Santa. That visit from Santa became part of our family legend.
Exercise 1 Transform these sentences into passive 1. Jack failed to send the check to the bank on time, so he lost his house. Jack s house was lost because the check was not sent to the bank on time. 2. Mary finished her book and sold it to the highest bidder. Thebook was finished by Mary and sold to the highest bidder.
3. Travelers always enjoy stopping by the old mill and taking a picture. Stopping by the old mill and taking a picture is an activity often enjoyed by travelers. 4. Jackson writes all his class notes on a legal pad and transcribes them onto the computer. All of Jackson s class notes are written on a legal pad and transcribed onto the computer.
5. The community council decided that a leash law should be passed before summer. It was decided by the community council that a leash law should be passed before summer. 6. The tutors stayed way after quitting time to finish the stack of papers. The stack of papers were finished by the tutors way after quitting time.
Exercise 2 Transform these sentences into active 1. The check was received and filed appropriately. Vince received and filed the check appropriately. 2. The decision was made and ratified by the whole council. The whole council made and ratified the decision. 3. Several special provisions were included in the contract. The contract included several special provisions.
4. The ice cream was eaten while the children were waiting for the park to open. The children ate the ice cream while waiting for the park to open. 5. The question was answered by the class clown before the serious students had a chance at it. The class clown answered the question before the serious students had a chance at it.
6. The corpse was moved from the murder scene sometime between Sunday night and Monday afternoon. The murderer moved the corpse from the murder scene sometime between Sunday night and Monday afternoon. 7. Fermentation was begun when the sugar was added to the fruit juice. When Sandra added sugar to the fruit juice, the fermentation process began.
Exercise 3 Identify the following sentences as passive or active sentences, and then transform them 1. The thank you card was greatly appreciated. (Passive) The people appreciated the thank you card. 2. The family was completely embarrassed by their Dad s practical joke. (Passive) Dad s practical joke completely embarrassed the family.
3. Her mother sent her to her room because she was acting up. (Active) She was sent to her room because she was acting up. 4. Malissa was told that her daughter would recover well. (Passive) The doctor told Malissa that her daughter would recover well.
