reported speech
Functions of the passive voice
The passive voice is used frequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.)
The house was built in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.)
The road is being repaired. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.)
FORMING THE PASSIVE VOICE
The passive voice in English is composed of two elements.
Optional prepositional phrase (by)
Verb to be in past
Verb in past participle
PRESENT
AFIRMATIVE SENTENCES
• Direct Object + is/ am/ are + Principal verb in past
participle.
EXAMPLE
The letter is written by Amalia.
PAST
NEGATIVE SENTENCE
• Direct Object + is not/ isn´t, are not/ aren´t, am not +
Principal verb in past participle.
EXAMPLE
The concert is not enjoyed by the audience
INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE
• Is/ am/ are + Direct object + Principal verb in past
participle + ?
EXAMPLE
Is the mail delivered by Daniel every day?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE SENTENCE
• Is not/ isn´t are not/ aren´t am not+ Direct object +
Principal verb in past participle + ?
EXAMPLE
Isn´t the children found in the forest?
AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCE
NEGATIVE SENTENCE
INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE SENTENCE
Direct Object + Was/ were + Principal verb in past participle.
EXAMPLE
The letter was written.
• Direct Object + Was not/ wasn´t were not/ weren´t +
Principal verb in past participle.
EXAMPLE
The concert wasn't enjoyed by the audience.
• Was/ were + Direct object + Principal verb in past
participle + ?
EXAMPLE
Was his house destroyed by the fire?
Was not/ wasn´t were not/ weren´t + Direct object +
Principal verb in past participle + ?
EXAMPLE
Wasn´t the child found in the forest?
FUTURE
AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCE
NEGATIVE SENTENCE
INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE SENTENCE
• Direct Object + Will + Principal verb in past participle.
EXAMPLE
The cake will be eaten by Lucia
• Direct Object + Will not/ wont + Principal verb in past
participle.
EXAMPLE
The cake won´t be eaten by Lucia.
Will + Direct object + Principal verb in past participle + ?
EXAMPLE
Will the cake be eaten by Lucia?
Will not/ wont + Direct object + Principal verb in past
participle + ?
EXAMPLE
Won´t the cake be eaten by Lucia?