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?