Present and Past Simple Passive 8.2
When do we use the passive ? The museum was opened in 1890, but the paintings weren’t given to the museum until 1975. When were the paintings stolen ? The museum is visited by four million people each year. We use the passive when we think what happens is more important than who does it, or when we don’t know who does it. Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3
There are two examples of Present Simple Passive. How many examples can you find in this text of: a) Present Simple Passive, b) Past Simple Passive ? The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was written by Swedish author Stieg Larsson and is the first of a successful series of crime novels. The series is sold in over fifty countries. Larsson died suddenly in 2004, so the series wasn’t completed by its original author. But after many years, new books in the series were published. They weren’t written by Larsson, but they are based on his ideas. Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3 There are four examples of Past Simple Passive.
How do we make the passive ? Present Simple Passive Past Simple Passive He wasn’t found guilty. The performance is based on Agatha Christie’s novel. The tickets for the performance aren’t sold online. Are shoplifters always caught by the police? Who were the robbers punished by? I am often punished at school for my naughty behaviour. The criminals were arrested on Monday. The witness was interviewed yesterday. Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3 We use the passive when we think what happens is more important than who does it, or when we don’t know who does it. To say who performed an action, use by. We form the passive with the correct form of the verb to be and the past participle. By comes at the end of a question. The passive
The school gate ____________________________________. CCTV cameras _____________________________________. The suspect ________________________________________. Were ______________________________________________ ? Are ________________________________________________ ? My aunt’s bag ______________________________________. Someone damaged the school gate last night. Nobody uses CCTV cameras just for fun. Nobody saw the suspect in Hyde Park on Sunday. Did the police chase the robbers ? Do people find fingerprints on food as well ? Someone stole my aunt’s bag. Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first sentence. aren’t used just for fun wasn’t seen in Hyde Park on Sunday the robbers chased by the police fingerprints found on food as well Practice Time Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3 was damaged last night was stolen
