MAKE VERB PASSIVE - STEP 1
Check verb tense of the active sentence you are changing.
- Write the past participle of the main verb of the active sentence.
- Add the “be” auxiliary verb to the main verb and make sure the “be” takes the same tense as the active sentence (#1).
Example:
Toyota makes great cars. (present tense)
Great cars are made by Toyota. (‘be’ is present tense, ‘made’ is the past participle of ‘make’)
Toyota has made great cars for many years. (present perfect tense)
Great cars have been made by Toyota for many years. ( ‘be’ is present perfect--have been and ‘made’ is past participle of ‘make’)
SENTENCE STRUCTURE – STEP 2
The active sentence is SUBJECT-VERB-OBJECT (S-V-O)
Passive voice is OBJECT-VERB-SUBJECT (sometimes with BY + SUBJECT)
REVERSE THE SUBJECT AND OBJECT.
Example:
Toyota makes great cars. (S-Toyota – V – makes –O – cars)
Great cars are made by Toyota. (O – cars – V – are made – S – (by) Toyota.
NOTE: It is not always necessary to keep the object--for example, when the object is a pronoun. "They are repairing Granville St. today." changes to "Granville St. is being repaired today" (not "by them") However, if the subject is a proper noun (name) we usually keep it and put 'by' before it--for example, 'Toyota', or if specific nouns, like 'my parents'--"I was given a new car by my parents."
PASSIVE VOICE WITH MODALS
Remember that the 'be' auxiliary changes tense and also that modal grammar applies to the 'be' verb also. So when you have a modal do not change the tense of the 'be' verb. Use the modal form: modal + infinitive form of be (which is 'be') + the past participle of the main verb of the sentence.
"Samsung might sue Apple for using Samsung technology in the new I Phone 5." (active)
"Apple might be sued by Samsung for using Samsung technology in the new I phone 5." (passive)
WHEN DO WE USE PASSIVE VOICE?
1. Often used to report science, health, history, art or other academic or legal facts.
"A new cure for cancer has been discovered."
"A new drunk driving law has been passed."
"Starry Night was painted by Van Gogh."
"Photographs of new galaxies have been sent to earth by the Hubble Telescope."
2. When the subject is assumed by all, not important or unknown in the active sentence--the object is the important agent.
"They increased our income tax to 20%" (we know the government did this--assume) changes to "Our income tax was increased to 20% minimum."
"The Lions Gate Bridge will be closed next week for repairs." (we do not know exactly who will close the bridge but assume it is closed by someone at City Hall)
"A new cure for cancer has been discovered." (we do not know exactly who discovered the cure--probably many scientists)
3. Advertisers or companies may use passive voice to emphasize a product.
"A revolutionary new hybrid car has been developed by Toyota." (advertisers want the reader to see "revolutionary new hybrid car" first, then who it is made by.)
4. Quite often you will see newspaper articles using passive voice. Reporters use passive voice to report events. "Last night the art gallery was broken into and several valuable paintings were stolen." (we do not know who stole them)