Passive Voice

Target Structure:

be + past participle (+ by …)

Goal:

Use the Passive Voice to focus on the action or result, rather than who performs it.

1. Warm-Up (3 min)

🗣️ Questions:

1. Who built the pyramids of Egypt?

2. Who invented the telephone?

3. Who was your house cleaned by last?

💬 Sample answers:

The pyramids were built by the Egyptians.
The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.

🎯 Focus: Noticing that the passive focuses on what happens, not who does it.

2. Presentation (8 min)

A. Form

✅ Passive = be + past participle (+ by + agent)

TenseActivePassivePresent SimpleThey clean the room.The room is cleaned (by them).Past SimpleThey built the bridge.The bridge was built (by them).Future SimpleThey will deliver the food.The food will be delivered.Present PerfectThey have finished the work.The work has been finished.

💬 Examples:

English is spoken all over the world.
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
Dinner will be served at 8 o’clock.

B. When to Use the Passive

✅ 1. When the doer (agent) is unknown or not important:

My phone was stolen yesterday.

✅ 2. When we focus on the action or result:

The project was completed last week.

✅ 3. When we want to sound formal or impersonal:

The meeting will be held on Friday.

✅ Optional: Add the “by + agent” if it’s important:

The bridge was built by engineers in 1890.

C. Forming the Passive Step-by-Step

1️⃣ Identify the object of the active sentence.
2️⃣ Make it the subject of the passive.
3️⃣ Change the verb → be + past participle.
4️⃣ Add “by + subject” if needed.

💬 Example:

Active: The chef cooks the meal.
Passive: The meal is cooked (by the chef).

3. Controlled Practice (6 min)

Change these active sentences into passive.

1. People speak Spanish in Argentina.

2. The company built the new bridge last year.

3. They will open the new museum next week.

4. Someone has stolen my bike!

5. They grow coffee in Brazil.

6. The teacher is checking the test.

7. They clean the offices every day.

8. Someone will repair the road soon.

✅ Answers + Explanations

1. Spanish is spoken in Argentina. → Present simple passive; focus on language, not people.

2. The new bridge was built last year. → Past event; "was + past participle."

3. The new museum will be opened next week. → Future; "will be + past participle."

4. My bike has been stolen! → Present perfect; action affects now.

5. Coffee is grown in Brazil. → General truth; "is + past participle."

6. The test is being checked (by the teacher). → Ongoing action; present continuous passive.

7. The offices are cleaned every day. → Regular action.

8. The road will be repaired soon. → Future passive.

💬 Why others are wrong:
Using “is + verb-ing” or “was + verb” changes the meaning — the past participle must always appear after be.

4. Interactive Practice (5 min)

Complete with your own ideas.

1. English is ______ (speak) in many countries.

2. My favourite movie was ______ (direct) by Steven Spielberg.

3. The exams will be ______ (mark) next week.

4. These lessons are ______ (create) to help students learn.

5. Our classroom is being ______ (decorate) right now.

6. The report has been ______ (finish) already.

💬 Example:

English is spoken in many countries.
The exams will be marked next week.

🎯 Focus: Use correct form of “be” + past participle.

5. Engaging Discussion Questions (4 min)

🗣️ Discuss using the passive voice naturally.

1. What inventions were created in your country?

2. What products are made in your city?

3. What songs or films were written or produced by famous people you admire?

4. How is education organised in your country?

5. What things have been changed in your life recently?

6. What buildings are being constructed near where you live?

7. What foods are usually prepared for celebrations in your culture?

🎯 Encourage sentences starting with “is/was/were/has been/will be.”

6. Extra Discussion (3–4 min)

💬 Deeper prompts:

1. How can the passive voice make speech sound more formal?

2. Why do you think journalists often use the passive in news reports?

3. Can you rewrite one of your answers from today in both active and passive voice — how does it change the focus?

4. What kinds of jobs are being replaced by technology?

5. What changes will be made in education in the next decade?

7. Wrap-Up & Review (2 min)

🎯 Quick Recap:

ConceptStructureExamplePassive Voicebe + past participleThe book was written in 1995.Active → PassiveThe chef cooked the meal → The meal was cooked.UseFocus on action, not subjectThe road will be repaired soon.

💬 Mini Challenge:
Say three passive sentences:

1. One in the past

2. One in the present

3. One in the future

The song was written in the 1980s.
English is spoken in many countries.
The exam will be held next Friday.