Introduction
Active and passive structures
Compare:
- They built this house in 1486. (active)
This house was built in 1486. (passive) - Most Austrians speak German. (active)
German is spoken by most Austrians. (passive) - A friend of ours is repairing the roof. (active)
The roof is being repaired by a friend of ours. (passive) - This book will change your life. (active)
Your life will be changed by this book. (passive)
When A does something to B, there are often two ways to talk about it. If we want A (the ‘doer’ or ‘agent’) to be the subject, we use an active verb: built, speak, is repairing, will change. If we want B (the ‘receiver’ of the action) to be the subject (see here), we use a passive verb: was built, is spoken, is being repaired, will be changed.
The object of an active verb corresponds to the subject of a passive verb.
In most cases, the subject of an active verb is not expressed in the corresponding passive sentence. If it does have to be expressed, this usually happens in an expression with by; the noun is called the ‘agent’ (see here).
- This house was built in 1486 by Sir John Latton.
Meaning and grammar
Meaning and grammar do not always go together. Not all active verbs have ‘active’ meanings; for instance, if you say that somebody receives something or suffers, you are really saying that something is done to him/her.
Some English active verbs might be translated by passive or reflexive verbs in certain other languages: e.g. My shoes are wearing out; She is sitting; Suddenly the door opened. And some English passives might be translated by active or reflexive verbs: e.g. I was born in 1956; English is spoken here.
Some verbs can be used in both active and passive forms with similar meanings: for example to worry / to be worried; to drown / to be drowned (see here). Sometimes active and passive infinitives can be used with very similar meanings: for example There’s a lot of work to do / to be done (for details, (see here). And some active verbs can have both active and passive meanings, for example She opened the door / The door opened (see here).
For more about reflexive verbs, (see here).
For active and passive past participles, (see here).
For -ing forms with passive meanings after need and want (e.g. My watch needs cleaning), (see here).
For more about the way information is organised in sentences, (see here).
I was very interesting in the lesson. (see here)
She has put in prison for life. (see here)
Tact is lacked by your mother. (see here)
He was shot by a rifle. (see here)
Our house got built in 1827. (see here)
The children were explained the problem. (see here)
We were suggested a meeting place. (see here)
I don’t like to be shouted. (see here)
He was thrown stones at. (see here)
She was broken her mirror. (see here)
That she was a spy was thought by nobody. (see here)
It is expected to make a profit this year. (see here)
They say his company to be in trouble. (see here)
Doris was wanted to be the manager. (see here)
Emily telling everybody what to do annoyed me. (see here)