PASSIVE VOICE

1. ACTIVE : He lets me drive his car. PASSIVE: I am allowed to drive his car.

2. When ( who or what )

2.1. Who / What …. by ? Who was the Eiffel Tower built by?

3. With verbs which take two objects

3.1. ACTIVE: Lou sent me a postcard. PASSIVE: I was sent a postcard by Lou. (more usual) A postcard was sent to me by Lou. (less usual)

4. Let becomes be allowed to in the passive.

5. In the passive , the preposition

5.1. ACTIVE : They accused Tony of stealing the money. PASSIVE: Tony was accused of stealing the money.

6. The verbs hear ,help, see and make

6.1. ACTIVE : They heard her call for help. PASSIVE: She was heard to call for help.

7. But: hear ,see, watch

7.1. ACTIVE : They saw him swimming across the lake. PASSIVE: He was seen swimming across the lake.

8. Only transitive verbs ( verbs that take an object,can be changed into the passive.)

8.1. ACTIVE: Lisa washed the clothes

8.2. PASSIVE: The clothes were washed by Lisa.

9. Some transitive verbs such as have, fit, suit, resemble,etc.,cannot be changed into the passive.

9.1. Nick resembles his grandfather.

10. By + agent.

10.1. The Apple tart was baked by George.

11. with + instrument/ ingredient.

11.1. The tin was opened with a tin opener.

12. The agent can be omitted

12.1. Somebody locked the front door.

13. The agent is not omitted

13.1. This novel was written by Cesar Vallejo.