7月14日号：Passive voice

Today, let’s look at the different uses of the passive voice. We use the passive voice to focus on the action, rather than on the person or thing that does the action.

To make the passive voice, we use the form: subject + be + past participle. We can use the passive voice in any English tense.

For example:

◆ This conference room is cleaned every Wednesday.

◆ This temple was built over 500 years ago.

◆ The project is going to be finished next month.

◆ Dinner has been prepared.

We often use the passive voice when we don’t know who or what does the action.

◆ The bank was robbed last night.

(We don’t know who robbed the bank)

◆ The trash can was knocked over.

(We don’t know who or what knocked over the trash can)

We also use the passive voice when it is obvious and not necessary to say who or what does the action.

◆ Rice is grown at this farm.

(It is obvious that farmers grow the rice)

◆ English is spoken in many countries.

(It isn’t necessary to say that people speak English)

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Ian先生プロフィール

英会話イーオン東京本社教務課コーディネーター。イーオン教師のトレーニングや英語セミナーを企画制作するカリスマ教師として活躍中。カリフォルニア大学バークレー校卒業。趣味は読書、料理、クラフトワーク。