English Grammar Guide


The Passive Voice: Present Simple Tense


Usage - The Passive Voice

We often follow a subject-verb-object (SVO) sentence order. This is the active voice.

When we reverse the order (SVO → OVS), it becomes the passive voice.

In the passive voice, we use the verb be and the past participle (V3).

  • The focus is on the OBJECT.
  • We might not have a SUBJECT.
  • We might not state the SUBJECT.
  • We reverse the sentence order.

Grammar - The Active Voice

  • SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT (SVO)
  • Pandas eat bamboo.

Grammar - The Passive Voice

  • SVO → OBJECT VERB by SUBJECT (OVS)
  • SUBJECT + BE + V3 + by + OBJECT
  • Bamboo is eaten by pandas.
  • SUBJECT PRONOUN → OBJECT PRONOUN
  • OBJECT PRONOUN → SUBJECT PRONOUN
  • SUBJ. PRON. + BE + V3 + by + OBJ. PRON.
  • She checks them.
  • They are checked by her.
  • SUBJECT + BE + V3 + PREPOSITION ...
  • Cars are made in factories.

Examples - Active Voice → Passive Voice (SVO → OVS)

SUBJ.VERBOBJ.
Pandaseatbamboo.
SUBJ. (passive)BE + V3by OBJ. (passive)
Bamboois eatenby pandas.

Examples - OBJECT PRONOUN → SUBJECT PRONOUN (SVO → OVS)

An object pronoun in the active voice becomes a subject pronoun in the passive voice.

SUBJECTVERBOBJ. PRON.
Many peoplehelphim.
SUBJ. PRON.BE + V3by OBJ. (passive)
Heis helpedby many people.

Examples - SUBJECT PRONOUN → OBJECT PRONOUN (SVO → OVS)

A subject pronoun in the active voice becomes an object pronoun in the passive voice.

SUBJ. PRON.VERBOBJECT
Heinspiresmany people.
SUBJ. (passive)BE + V3by OBJ. PRON.
Many peopleare inspiredby him.

⚠ Be Careful!

In the passive voice we don't always include the object (passive).

  • Sometimes there isn't an object in the passive.
  • Corn is grown on farms. ✔

Examples - Passive without Object (SVO → OV)

SUBJ.VERBOBJECT
Workersmakecarsin factories.
SUBJ.BE + V3ADVERBIALby OBJ.
Carsare madein factoriesby workers.
Carsare madein factories.
Symbols & Abbreviations
✔Correct
OBJ.Object
PREP.Preposition
PRON.Pronoun
SUBJ.Subject
V3Past Participle

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See Also

01) Be in the Present Simple Tense: am/are/is

02) The Present Simple Tense: Verb Forms

03) The Present Simple Tense: Negatives

04) The Present Simple Tense: Open Questions

05) The Present Simple Tense: Closed Questions & Short Answers

06) The Present Simple Tense: Jobs

07) Time Phrases: in/at/on/every

08) The Passive Voice: Past Simple Tense




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