Use the passive to put the to focus on the person or thing
affected by the action.
doing the action
Use the passive when this is true: The person or thing that did the action:
isn't obvious
is obvious
Use the passive when this is true: The person or thing that did the action:
is known
is unknown
Use the passive when this is true: The person or thing that did the action:
is important
isn't important
Use the passive when this is true: The person or thing that did the action:
isn't the main focus
is the main focus
Use the passive to make certain written texts (e.g. academic) more
personal
impersonal
Use the passive to make certain written texts (e.g. academic) more
formal
informal
cat's / operated / this / My / being / on / afternoon
My cat's being operated this afternoon
be / He'll / later / or / sooner / caught
He'll be caught sooner or later.
Choose the sentence that is most appropriate. Spoken Conversation
They’re giving me a promotion at work.
A promotion is being given to me at work.
Choose the sentence that is most appropriate. ( TV news item )
A two-percent rise in temperatures is predicted next year.
They predict there will be a two-percent rise in temperature
Choose the sentence that is most appropriate. (Spoken)
Their parents have given them a lot of presents.
A lot of presents have been given to them by their parents.
Choose the sentence that is most appropriate. (notice on the wall)
Smoking is not allowed here.
You aren’t allowed to smoke here.
Choose the sentence that is most appropriate. (Spoken)
I won a prize in an online competition.
A prize was won by me in an online competition.
Rewrite the sentence in the passive: Did someone give you those lovely flowers?
Were you given those lovely flowers? // Were those lovely flowers given to you?
