Before we look at Passive Voice in the Past first let’s dive into the basics.
The passive voice is used to change the focus of a sentence:
Example:
My friend rode a Stallion. (Active - focus on my friend)
The stallion was ridden by my friend. (Passive - focus on the stallion)
We often use the passive when:
1. We prefer not to mention who or what does the action (when it’s unknown, not obvious or we prefer not to say)
2. We can start a sentence with the most important or logical information.
3. For formal or scientific writing. Perhaps you want to write your first book!
How do we make the passive?
We use the verb to be + past participle. The sentence begins with the object.
Example:
Just Kids was written by Patti Smith.
Just Kids (Object) - was (Be) - written (Past Participle) - by Patti Smith
Tip: It is not always necessary to add who or what did the action.
Example:
My bike was stolen.
Object (bike) to be (was) past participle (stolen)
Only the form 'to be' changes to make the tense. The past participle stays the same.
Below is an example of the passive in the most common tenses.
As you know we will be focusing on the Past simple, past continuous and past perfect which are highlighted in the table.
Tense |
Example |
Structure |
Present simple |
Tahini is made from crushed sesame seeds. |
is/are + past participle |
Present continuous |
The kitchen is being renovated this week. |
is/are being + past participle |
Past simple |
Audrey Hepburn was born in 1929. |
was/were + past participle |
Past continuous |
The horses were being groomed last week. |
was/were being + past participle |
Present perfect |
Lemons have been grown here for centuries. |
has/have been + past participle |
Past perfect |
When he got home, he found that his cat had been stolen. |
had been + past participle |
Future simple |
The book will be finished next week. |
will be + past participle |
Exercises:
Not so fast, we still have some exercises to complete. I promise you, it's a great workout for the brain!
Rewrite the following sentences in the Passive Voice in the Past.
Extra challenge: See if you know which is Past Simple - Past Continuous and Past Perfect!
Answers are at the foot of the page. No peeking and good luck!
1. The radio _____ (invent) by Marconi.
2. Radium and polonium _____ (discover) by Pierre and Marie Curie.
3. A lot of fingerprints _____ (leave) by the criminals.
4. The Great Pyramid of Giza _____ (built) by the Egyptians in 2570 BC.
5. The Pathétique and the Moonlight sonatas _____ (compose) by Beethoven.
6. The Italians _____ (discover) another planet.
7. He was playing the guitar.
8. I was repairing their bikes.
To Sum up the Passive voice in writing:
1. was invented (ps); 2. were discovered (ps); 3. were left (ps); 4. was built; 5. were composed (pp); 6. had been discovered (pp) 7. was being played by him (pc); 8. were being repaired by me (pc)