GRAMMAR FOCUS: Passive Voice

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:

Example: A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).

Examples of Passive

Simple Present Active:    Rita    writes    a letter.
Passive:    A letter    is written    by Rita.
Simple Past Active:    Rita    wrote    a letter.
Passive:    A letter    was written    by Rita.
Present Perfect Active:    Rita    has written    a letter.
Passive:    A letter    has been written    by Rita.
Future Active:    Rita    will write    a letter.
Passive:    A letter    will be written    by Rita.
Modal Verb Active:    Rita    can write    a letter.
Passive:    A letter    can be written    by Rita.