Passive Summary
Diagnostic
Passive Diagnostic: identifying specific points that need review
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
Passive — Focus on the Object
Focus on Receiver: moving the receiver to the subject position
Beg.–Int. ESL
- Active v. Passive
- Passive Forms
- Common Mistakes
- Sing–Plural Agreement
- Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
- Practice 2 – correct-incorrect
- Practice 3 – edit the sentence
My sister had (bore) a baby.
⇒ A baby was born.
The doctor helped the baby.
⇒ The baby was helped by the doctor.
*What was happened?
Focus on Project: moving the collective work to the subject position (when the agents are too many to list)
Int.–Adv. ESL & Native Speakers
- Active v. Passive
- Word Order
- Agreement & Tense
- An Exception
- Practice 1 – edit the sentence
- Practice 2 – complete the sentence (MC)
The human genome is being mapped by scientists. (too many to mention)
Better cancer treatment is expected by everyone.
This knowledge can be used by anyone.
By-phrases: focusing on known information
Int. ESL
- Focus on the Known
- Reasons for Including One
- Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
- Practice 2 – Include it – omit it
- Practice 3 – Edit the paragraph
An emergency call was received by the police late last night.
An emergency call was received [by someone] late last night.
Verbs w/ Two Objects: focusing on the direct or indirect object
Int.–Adv. ESL, Native Speakers
- Direct v. Indirect Object
- Focus on Indirect Object
- Indirect Object Only
- Prep. Phrase Only
- Passive Uses in Context
- Common Mistakes
- Grammar Notes
- Practice 1 – complete sentence (MC)
- Practice 2 – correct incorrect
- Practice 3 – edit paragraph
Our math teacher assigned us a project.
A project was assigned to us by our math teacher.
We were assigned a project by our math teacher.
We were announced the project.
The project was explained me.
The project was explained to me.
Never Passive: intransitive and stative verbs with no passive voice
Int.–Adv. ESL, Native Speakers
- Intransitive v. Transitive
- Intransitive Verb List
- Other Intransitive Verbs
- Static Verb List
- Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
- Practice 2 – correct – incorrect
- Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
The earthquake happened on
April 3, 2009 in Italy.
*The
earthquake was happened on
April 3, 2009 in Italy.
The baby weighed 7 lbs.
*The baby was weighed 7 lbs.
Passive - "Get"
Get-Passives: using get in place of be in passive sentences
Int.–Adv. ESL, Native Speakers
The window got broken. (unfortunate, agent unnamed)
The window was broken by a ball.
I got hired. (good luck, deserved)
I got fired.
(bad luck)
We got married. (We organized and did it)
We were married. (factual statement)
We got/ had the job done!
Participle Modifiers See Adj & Modifiers
Reduced Modifying Clauses
Clause Reduction 1: shortening a modifying clause with a be verb form
Int.–Adv. ESL, Native Speakers
- Clause Reduction (be verb forms)
- Reduc in NonID Clauses
- Prepositional Phrases
- Progressive Tense
- Passive Voice
- Grammar Notes
- Practice– multiple choice
Also known as: That + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a non-finite relative clause
The seat [that was] next to me was empty.
The woman [who is] seated behind me is eating popcorn.
A talk show [which is] trying to improve its rating may plan a fight.
Clause Reduction 2: shortening a modifying clause
Int.–Adv. ESL, Native Speakers
- Reducing a Clause (active verb forms)
- Pres Tense Cls Reduction
- Past Tense Cls Reduction
- Common Mistakes
- Grammar Notes
- Practice 1– complete the sentence (MC)
- Practice 2– correct / incorrect
Also known as: That + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a non-finite relative clause
The subcommittee [which meets] next week will discuss a new bill.
The subcommittee meeting next week will discuss a new bill.
Participial Clauses 1: reducing a clause with a passive verb to a participial clause
Int.–Adv. ESL, Native Speakers
- Reduced Participial Clause
- Punctuation
- Grammar Notes
- Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
- Practice 2 – correct-incorrect
- Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
That + be deletion; finite to a non-finite relative clause
The Golden Gate Bridge, [which was] designed by Charles Ellis, ...
The Golden Gate Bridge, designed by Charles Ellis, ...
Participial Clauses 2: reducing a clause with a passive or active verb to a participial clause
Int.–Adv. ESL, Native Speakers
- Present Participial Clauses
- Present & Past Participle clauses
- Common Mistakes
- Grammar Notes
- Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
- Practice 2 – complete the sentence (MC)
- Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
[That + be deletion; finite and nonfinite clause; adjunct modifiers]
The federal agency, which was locating the prison on Alcatraz,
preferred the isolated location of the island.
The federal agency, which was located in San Francisco,
preferred the isolated location of the island.
Audio Practice
Been / Being: contrast the sounds of been and being
Beg.– Int. ESL
- Been v Being Word Forms
- Been v Being Audio
- Been v Being Participles
- Auxiliary Combinations
- Practice – complete the sentence (MC)
We've been quiet.
(present perfect - active)
We're being quiet.
(present progressive - active)
We've been seen by Dr. Allen.
(present perfect - passive)
We 're being seen by Dr. Allen (present progressive - passive)
In Context
Passive in Context: identifying passive sentences in the context of an article
Int. ESL, Native Speaker
- Passive Article
- Practice 1 – answer questions (MC)
"Mapping the human genome has
been compared with putting a man on the moon, ..."
The medical benefits of genome science, scientists agree, must be used to benefit all people, not only a privileged few.
Related Pages
Participles w/ Preps: describing emotional reactions
Int.–Adv. ESL
- Compare Word Forms
- Participle + Prep Complements
- Participle Modifier & Preposition List
- Common Mistakes
- Practice – multiple choice
Related Practices: Participle-Prep Prac, Gerund Objects, Verb + PP Prac 1, Verb + PP Prac 2, Verb + PP Prac 3
The children were interested in hearing his story.
The press was excited about the President's speech.
The President is pleased with the
response.
The President is pleased with how the people responded.
Participial Modifier w/ Preposition: using past particple & preposition combinations
Int.–Adv. ESL
- Review link
- Practice – multiple choice
Celebrities are concerned ____ the activiites of the Paparazzi.