THE PASSIVE VOICE What is it When do

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THE PASSIVE VOICE What is it? When do I need to use it in

THE PASSIVE VOICE What is it? When do I need to use it in my writing?

Look at these two sentences: (1) Some people built the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883.

Look at these two sentences: (1) Some people built the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883. (2) The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1883. Is there any difference in meaning between the two sentences?

Let’s see what’s going on with these sentences: (1)Some people built the Brooklyn Bridge

Let’s see what’s going on with these sentences: (1)Some people built the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883. What is the grammatical ‘subject’ of sentence (1)? What is the ‘object’?

What is the grammatical ‘subject’ of sentence (2)? What is the ‘object’? (2) The

What is the grammatical ‘subject’ of sentence (2)? What is the ‘object’? (2) The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1883.

Why didn’t we say ‘by some people’ in #2? The Brooklyn Bridge was built

Why didn’t we say ‘by some people’ in #2? The Brooklyn Bridge was built by some people in 1883. . Because it’s OBVIOUS! Only PEOPLE build bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge!

What happens to the sentence structure when we go from #1 to #2? (1)

What happens to the sentence structure when we go from #1 to #2? (1) Some people built the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883. (2) The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1883.

Going from Active to Passive: subject object Some people built the Brooklyn Bridge in

Going from Active to Passive: subject object Some people built the Brooklyn Bridge in 1988. subject ‘by-phrase’ The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1988 by some people

What are the necessary parts of the passive voice? In other words, how do

What are the necessary parts of the passive voice? In other words, how do we know a sentence is passive? How do we recognize passive verbs?

The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1983. BE PAST PARTICIPLE Without both parts, you

The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1983. BE PAST PARTICIPLE Without both parts, you don’t have a passive!

Look at these different examples: The floors are washed every Friday. The newspaper is

Look at these different examples: The floors are washed every Friday. The newspaper is always delivered at 7: 00. My notebook has been stolen! Handouts will be distributed tomorrow. What are the verb TENSES in the above passive verbs? Why is there no “by-phrase”?

Remember: The passive is only used ONLY. . . when the recipient of the

Remember: The passive is only used ONLY. . . when the recipient of the action is more important than the agent. For example: That incredibly complex cake with all the fancy decorations, the one in the center of the table, was baked by my mother.

. . . when the agent is not important at all. . . For

. . . when the agent is not important at all. . . For example, That floor is always cleaned perfectly, isn’t it?

. . . when the agent is obvious (as in ‘someone’ or ‘some people’)

. . . when the agent is obvious (as in ‘someone’ or ‘some people’) For example, Good essays are usually well planned.

. . . when you wish to conceal the agent For Example: (Whispered by

. . . when you wish to conceal the agent For Example: (Whispered by Charlie): Don’t (Whispered by Julia): (shouted to Mom): tell Mom that I broke her vase! Okay. Look, Mom! The vase has been broken! We don’t know how!

By the way, Why do we use the “by-phrase” in the following: The report

By the way, Why do we use the “by-phrase” in the following: The report was prepared by our excellent secretary, Karen. Why, in “by our excellent secretary”, is the name “Karen”necessary? Also, why might we choose the active voice and say, instead, “Karen, our excellent secretary, prepared the report. ”

The End Any questions?

The End Any questions?