Passive Voice
- When we use Passive Voice we focus on the performance of an action rather than on the performer of that action. That is the purpose of this structure.
- The Passive Voice is a part of many different tenses but the formula for building a sentence in this structure is always the same.
- To make a passive sentence we simply add the following formula to the tense: To be + past participle (v3) . (see examples below.)
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The best song (subject) was (to be) chosen (v3)
- The past participle is the second past form of irregular verbs and the normal past form of regular verbs. Choose → chose —> chosen (irregular verb) Study → studied (regular verb)
Please see the table below of all the tenses that are used with Passive Voice and a comparison between active sentences and passive sentences. This will help you use the passive across all tenses.
Active Sentences
Passive Sentences
The best song is chosen by the end of each show. (Present Simple Passive).
A group of judges chooses the best song by the end of each show. (Present Simple)
The best song is being chosen at this very moment. (Present progressive Passive).
A group of judges is choosing the best song right now. (Present progressive)
The best song has been chosen and we are ready to publish the results. (Present Perfect Simple Passive).
A group of judges has chosen the best song. (Present Perfect Simple)
The best song was chosen yesterday. (Past Simple Passive).
A group of judges chose the best song yesterday. (Past Simple).
The best song was being chosen during intermission. (Past Progressive Passive).
A group of judges were choosing the best song during intermission. (Past Progressive)
The best song had been chosen by the end of the show. (Past Perfect Simple Passive).
A group of judges had chosen the best song by the end of the show. (Past Perfect Simple)
The best song will be chosen, I’m sure. (Future Simple Passive).
A group of judges will choose the best song, that’s the best idea. (Future Simple)
The best song will have been chosen by the end of the show. (Future Perfect Simple Passive).
A group of judges will have chosen the best song by the end of the show. (Future Perfect Simple)
