The Passive Voice: When the Action Matters More Than the Actor
โฑ 5 Minutes ยท B1/B2 ยท Cambridge
๐ฐ Sourov’s Story
At Star Casino, every movement was monitored. The wine was chilled before service. Tables were cleared within sixty seconds. Mistakes were not tolerated. I never heard anyone say who did these things โ the passive voice is the language of professional kitchens.
๐ Form
be (correct tense) + past participle
- Present: The room is cleaned every morning.
- Past: The order was placed at noon.
- Present Perfect: The bill has been sent.
- Modal: Guests must be greeted immediately.
โ
When to Use It
- The agent (doer) is unknown, obvious, or unimportant.
- Formal and professional writing.
- Scientific and news contexts.
โ๏ธ Your Turn
Turn active โ passive:
- They clean the kitchen every night.
- Someone stole his bag.
- The chef has prepared your table.
- You must return the key by noon.
๐ก Answers
- The kitchen is cleaned every night.
- His bag was stolen.
- Your table has been prepared.
- The key must be returned by noon.
Independent project โ not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.