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Simple Present Passive
Forming simple present passive, quick exercise.
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Present simple
Present simple — passive voice.
There are several reasons as to why we use the passive voice in English. In these notes, we are going to focus on the present simple in the passive voice. Generally, we use the passive voice when the focus is on the action and NOT on WHO or WHAT is performing the action.
Present Simple passive construction: am/is/are + past participle
Example verb: draw
The agent is unknown. we don’t know who is the agent.
- The man who is believed to have stolen the goods must be brought to justice. (we don’t know who is the man)
We use the passive to emphasise the subject
- Paris and London are visited by many people each year. (The emphasis is on Paris and London).
We use the passive to talk about general truths
- Certain animals are known to attack humans.
We can use the passive if we want to be unclear or vague about the subject
- Mistakes are committed .
We use the passive when the subject is irrelevant
(We don’t care who or what has caused the action to be).
- English classes are taught here every day. (WHO teaches the classes is not important within the given situation).
We use the passive in a more formal atmosphere like a thesis or an important piece of writing, especially scientifically speaking
- The water is thus poured into the dish to form the desired product.
- The whole scientific process is done over three years.
Lesson #29: Present simple – passive voice
Explanation.
Construction: am/is/are + past participle (helped, known, found)
Example verb: make
- Which industries do you think will dominate the future, Sarah?
- Well, we’re living in a very technological era, 1 and I think we’re set 2 to see the birth of technologies such as blockchain, cloud computers, electric cars and quantum computing.
- It sounds incredible, doesn’t it? 3
- It sure does. It is argued that cloud computing and quantum computers are the main innovations so far. 4
- So, what is known about cloud computing thus far? 5
- I only know from what I’ve read, but cloud computing is used by most of us already. 6
- Oh really? How so?
- The cloud is used for such things like 7 our email accounts, documents and photos with Google etc., things like that, I guess.
- Moreover, I’ve read that it’s expected 8 we’ll see much more cloud computing in the future.
- I sure hope so!
- Well, we’re living in a very technological era. Here, the present continuous (we’re living) is used to talk about a present state. The state being ‘living in a very technological era’. The present simple could also be used here.
- I think we’re set. The passive voice in the present simple is used here (we are set). The past participle is ‘set’ (set – set – set), and it’s being used to emphasise the subject ‘we’.
- It sounds incredible, doesn’t it? ‘Doesn’t it’ is a question tag. The verb ‘do’ is used to form the question tag because ‘sounds’ is a normal verb. We always use ‘do’ as the default verb to make question tags with normal, non-auxiliary verbs.
- It is argued that cloud computing and quantum computers are the main innovations so far. ‘It is argued’ is a passive construction for the present simple tense. The construction being the verb to be in third person singular (is) and the past participle of ‘argue’, ‘argued’.
- What is known about cloud computing thus far? The present simple in the passive construction ‘is known’ is used because we don’t know anything about the subject.
- Cloud computing is used by most of us already. The present simple in the passive ‘is used’ details the passive voice in the present simple. Emphasis is put on ‘cloud computing’.
- The cloud is used for such things like… ‘is used’, is another use of the passive voice in present simple.
- I’ve read that it’s expected. ‘It’s expected’ is the passive voice in the present simple. The passive is used here to be unclear or vague about ‘what is expected’.
All passive forms:
- Present continuous
- Present perfect continuous
- Present perfect
- Past continuous
- Past perfect continuous
- Past simple
- Past perfect
- Future simple
- Future continuous
- Future perfect
- Future perfect continuous
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The Simple Present Passive of English Verbs
by Heather Marie Kosur July 2, 2013, 12:00 pm
The passive is a grammatical voice that moves an object of a sentence in the active voice into the subject position. The simple present passive is an English verb form that refers to verbs in the present tense, simple aspect , indicative mood, and passive voice.
Formation of the Simple Present Passive
Like most other verb forms in the English language, the simple present passive is periphrastic meaning that that “a phrase of two or more words performs a single grammatical function that would otherwise be expressed by the inflection of a single word.” Verbs in the simple present passive are formed by the present tense form of the verb be plus a past participle ( regular or irregular ). Only transitive verbs (verbs that can take objects) and verbs with verb phrase complements may be conjugated in the passive voice. The verb phrase patterns for the simple present passive are as follows:
- first person singular – am + past participle – I am beaten to work by my boss every day.
- second person singular – are + past participle – You are easily scared by loud noises.
- third person singular – is + past participle – The wind chime is rung by even a light breeze.
- first person plural – are + past participle – We are required to wash our hands frequently.
- second person plural – are + past participle – Are you bothered by your neighbors a lot?
- third person plural – are + past participle – Bagels are delivered to the office each Monday.
Some Englishes also allow for the simple present passive to be formed by the present tense form of the verb get plus a past participle in declarative sentences. The use of get as a passive auxiliary requires the addition of the do operator in interrogative sentences. The verb phrase patterns for the simple present passive with the auxiliary verb get are as follows:
- first person singular – get + past participle – I always get caught by my brother.
- second person singular – get + past participle – Do you ever get punished at work?
- third person singular – gets + past participle – The bathroom gets cleaned once a week.
- first person plural – get + past participle – We get invited to few parties.
- second person plural – get + past participle – You get frightened easily.
- third person plural – get + past participle – Cookies get eaten quickly at my office.
Notice that the present tense of the verb be is irregular in all persons and numbers but that the present tense of the verb get is identical in all persons and numbers except for the third person singular .
Uses of the Simple Present Passive
Like the simple present in the active voice , the simple present passive expresses a discrete action or event in the present or near future. Also like the simple present active, the simple present passive occurs most often in sentences that (1) express discrete actions in the present, (2) describe habits and routines, (3) state general facts and truths, (4) express thoughts and feelings, and (5) describe events in the near future. For example:
- The misbehaving child is scolded by her mother.
- Our mail carrier is barked at every afternoon.
- Crops are destroyed by insects.
- His lover is whisked away by train this evening.
The main grammatical and semantic difference between the simple present in the active voice and the simple present in the passive voice is that the simple present passive allows an object of an active sentence to appear in the subject position. For example, the use of the active voice in The dog chews on the bone means that the subject is the noun phrase The dog and the direct object is the noun phrase the bone . By changing the same sentence into the passive voice — The bone is chewed on by the dog — the original direct object the bone moves into the subject position. Using the passive voice thus allows a speaker to emphasize an object from an active sentence and/or to de-emphasize the subject from an active sentence.
The following visual illustrates the uses of the simple present of English verbs:
The simple present passive expresses discrete actions or states in the present or near future while moving an object from an active sentence into the subject position.
The simple present is defined as a verb form that expresses a discrete action or event in the present or near future.
The simple present passive is periphrastic, which means consisting of a “phrase of two or more words that perform a single grammatical function that would otherwise be expressed by the inflection of a single word.”
The simple present passive is formed by the present tense form of the verb be plus a past participle.
Only transitive verbs and verbs with verb phrase complements may be conjugated into the passive voice.
The main grammatical and semantic difference between the simple present in the active voice and the simple present in the passive voice is that the simple present passive allows an object of an active sentence to appear in the subject position.
Hopper, Paul J. 1999. A short course in grammar . New York: W. W. Norton & Company. Kilby, David. 1984. Descriptive syntax and the English verb . Dover, New Hampshire: Croom Helm. Leech, Geoffrey N. 2004. Meaning and the English verb . Harlow, English: Pearson Longman.
anomalous verb aspect grammatical aspect grammatical tense grammatical voice passive passive voice present simple present tense simple aspect simple present tense verb verb aspect verb tense verb voice
Written by Heather Marie Kosur
Using Noun Clauses as Direct Objects
The Simple Past Passive of English Verbs
Present and past simple passive: be + past participle
Present and past simple passive – grammar chart, download full-size image from pinterest, active sentences vs passive sentences.
When A does B , we have two possible ways of talking about it: active or passive. In active sentences A is the subject (before the verb). In passive sentences B is the subject . Check the following examples:
Present simple
- Somebody cleans the classroom every day. (Active)
- The classroom is cleaned every day. (Passive)
Past simple
- Somebody cleaned the classroom yesterday. (Active)
- The classroom was cleaned yesterday. (Passive)
As you can see, the object of an active sentence is the subject of a passive sentence. In an active sentence, the subject is the ‘doer’ of the action and the object is the ‘receiver’ of the action. And in a passive sentence, the subject is the receiver of the action, NOT the doer. Compare:
- A) Somebody broke the window.
- B) The window was broken (by someone).
In sentence A, ‘somebody’ is the doer of the breaking, and in sentence B, ‘the window’ is the receiver of the breaking.
When do we use the passive?
The passive is more formal than the active and it is more common in written language. We often use the passive when we don’t know, when it is obvious, or when we don’t want so say who or what is responsible for the action.
- A bank was robbed yesterday. ( We don’t know who robbed the bank.)
- The robber was arrested last night. (It’s obvious that the police arrested the robber.)
- I was told that you insulted my brother. (I don’t want to say who told me.)
- Jurassic Park was filmed by Spielberg in 1993. (I’m talking about Jurassic Park and not about Spielberg.)
Passive voice + by
We can use by to say who or what is responsible for the action.
- The painting was bought by a very rich American .
- Penicillin was invented by Alexander Fleming .
Related tests:
Passive Voice - Exercises on Form
Exercise on passive voice - simple present.
Rewrite the sentences in passive voice.
- He opens the door. -
- We set the table. -
- She pays a lot of money. -
- I draw a picture. -
- They wear blue shoes. -
- They don't help you. -
- He doesn't open the book. -
- You do not write the letter. -
- Does your mum pick you up? -
- Does the police officer catch the thief? -
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Passive sentences in the Simple Present – Exercise
Task no. 2717.
Rewrite the given sentences in Passive voice.
Frank builds a house.
A house is built. or A house is built by Frank.
Do you need help?
Passive in English
- Mr Jones watches films. .
- The people speak English. .
- He reads comics. .
- We play volleyball. .
- They sing the song. .
- I take photos. .
- She does the housework. .
- The policemen help the children. .
- He writes poems. .
- Mother waters the flowers. .
- You are here:
- Grammar Exercises
- Passive Voice
- Present simple passive
W języku angielskim podobnie jak w języku polskim mamy do czynienia z dwoma z pozoru dziwnie brzmiącymi określeniami gramatycznymi: strona czynna (active voice) i strona bierna (passive voice) . Chcemy przybliżyć te dwa określenia i pokazać na przykładach jak możemy je wykorzystać do komunikowania się w języku angielskim.
'Present simple passive co to jest? zadajesz pewnie sobie teraz to pytanie. Otóż jest to pożyteczna konstrukcja gramatyczna, która jest bardzo często wykorzystywana w języku angielskim. Strona czynna i strona bierna odnoszą się do formy czasownika. W przypadku Active Voice podmiotem czasownika jest osoba lub rzecz wykonująca określoną czynność, na przykład: Tom cooks the food. W tym przypadku wyraz Tom jest podmiotem zdania, a wyraz cooks jest czasownikiem ( ponieważ mamy do czynienia z czasem Present Simple , więc na końcu czasownika w trzeciej osobie pojawiła się końcówka es ). Tom jest wykonawcą czynności jaką jest gotowanie jedzenia. Możemy powiedzieć, że Tom jest bardzo aktywny w tym przypadku, a nie jest bierny.
W przypadku strony biernej dana rzecz lub przedmiot podlega określonej czynności. Nie jest dla nas istotne kto jest wykonawcą tej czynności, w naszym przypadku wcześniejsze zdanie w stronie biernej będzie wyglądało następująco: The food is cooked (by Tom). Określenie w nawiasie na końcu zdania nie jest konieczne i może zostać pominięte.
Zasady tworzenia strony biernej w języku angielskim nie są zbyt skomplikowane. Najlepiej jest je pokazać na przykładzie kilku zdań.
Tworzenie strony biernej w języku angielskim odbywa się z wykorzystaniem trzeciej kolumny tabelki czasowników nieregularnych (written) lub też w przypadku czasowników regularnych dokładnie takiej samej formy czasownika jak czas Past Simple oraz formy czasownik be (być) . W naszym przypadku jest to is (jest) . Jeżeli rzeczownik będzie użyty w liczbie mnogiej wówczas będziemy musieli użyć formy are (są) .
Here are some examples of sentences in Passive Voice in Present Simple Tense:
Bardzo ważną rzeczą o której należy pamiętać w przypadku strony biernej jest to, że nie wszystkie czasowniki pozwalają na utworzenie zdań w Passive Voice. Weźmy na przykład zdanie: She laughs a lot. Zdanie to nie posiada dopełnienia, którym jest rzeczownik występujący po czasowniku. W naszych wcześniejszych przykładach dopełnieniem był: letter, car, TV, house, apples a tutaj po czasowniku laugh nie ma rzeczownika. Wniosek z tego można wyciągnąć, że stronę biernę w języku angielskim tworzymy tylko i wyłącznie z czasownikami po których występuje dopełnienie. W terminologii gramatyczej tego typu czasowniki określamy jako Transitive Verbs (Czasowniki Przechodnie) .
Present Simple passive zastosowanie
Kiedy używamy Present simple passive? Najczęściej są to sytuacje w których nie jest dla nas najważniejszy wykonawca określonej czynności, lecz sama czynność. Użycie strony strony biernej może być podyktowane chęcią skupienia się na samej czynności z pominięciem jej wykonawcy. Tak w duży uproszczeniu i skrócie można podsumowaś zastosowanie strony biernej. Więcej na temat strony biernej można znaleźć w odpowiednim dziale naszej strony internetowej.
Questions in Present Simple in Passive Voice
Negative sentences in passive in present simple, present simple passive let be allowed to.
Czasownik let może funkcjonowaś jako Auxiliary Verb (czasownik posiłkowy): Let's have a look. a także jako zwykły czasownik They let me know. (Dali mi znać.) W tym ostatnim przypadku, gdy tworzymy stronę bierną z czasownikiem let, wówczas jesteśmy zmuszeni do użycia innego czasownika. Bardzo często używanym czasownikiem, który zastępuje czasownik let w stronie biernej jest czasownik to be allowed to.
Present Simple passive make
W przypadku czasownika make, w znaczeniu zmuszać kogoś do zrobienia czegoś, w stronie czynnej używamy po nim formy czasownika bez to, natomiast w stronie biernej czasownik musi być użyty w swojej pełnej formie łącznie z to.
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The Passive Voice
Perfect english grammar.
- Download this explanation in PDF here.
- See all my exercises about the passive here.
So, in this example, the subject is 'I', the verb is 'drank' and the object is 'two cups of coffee'.
But, we don't always need to make sentences this way. We might want to put the object first, or perhaps we don't want to say who did something. This can happen for lots of reasons (see the explanation further down the page). In this case, we can use a passive, which puts the object first:
- Two cups of coffee were drunk (we can add 'by me' if we want, but it isn't necessary).
How to make the Passive in English
We make the passive by putting the verb 'to be' into whatever tense we need and then adding the past participle . For regular verbs, we make the past participle by adding 'ed' to the infinitive. So play becomes played . Click here to learn about irregular verbs .
Verbs with two objects
Some verbs that have two objects can make two different active sentences, and so two different passive sentences too: Give
- Active: He gave me the book / He gave the book to me.
- Passive: I was given the book (by him)/ The book was given to me (by him).
The passive in subordinate clauses
- Active: I thought that Mary had kissed John.
- Passive: I thought that John had been kissed by Mary.
- Active: He knew that people had built the church in 1915.
- Passive: He knew that the church had been built in 1915.
- The child loves being cuddled.
- She would like to be promoted.
When should we use the Passive?
1: When we want to change the focus of the sentence
- The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. (We are more interested in the painting than the artist in this sentence)
- He was arrested (obvious agent, the police).
- My bike has been stolen (unknown agent).
- The road is being repaired (unimportant agent).
- The form can be obtained from the post office (people in general).
- The chemical is placed in a test tube and the data entered into the computer.
- The brochure will be finished next month.
- Three books are used regularly in the class. The books were written by Dr. Bell. ('Dr. Bell wrote the books' sound clumsy)
- I was surprised by how well the students did in the test. (More natural than: 'how well the students did in the test surprised me')
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Interested in earning income without putting in the extensive work it usually requires? Traditional “active” income is any money you earn from providing work, a product or a service to others — it’s how most people make money on a daily bas...
When writing, active voice is when the subject of a sentence performs the action in the verb, while passive voice is when the subject has the action performed on it. Most non-scientific writing uses the active voice rather than the passive ...
An example of passive listening is when someone is talking to another, but the other person is only hearing the words as background noise and not particularly involving himself in the listening process.
In the present simple, the passive is: am / is / are + past participle (3rd form of the verb). Remember! The past participle always stays the same. Only the
Object + am / is / are + verb3 (past participle) to form the simple present passive. Examples and exercises of present simple passive.
Present simple — passive voice · Example verb: draw · The agent is unknown. · We use the passive to emphasise the subject · We use the passive to talk about general
Present simple in the passive voice - from our course "English Verbs - The Complete Guide" by English Reservoir.
The Simple Present Passive: Guide & Examples ; I wash the clothing (Active voice); The clothing is washed (Passive voice) ; I teach different
The passive is a grammatical voice that moves an object of a sentence in the active voice into the subject position. The simple present
Present and past simple passive – be + past participle. It is done, it was done. A2. Pre-intermediate English grammar and exercises.
Exercise on Passive Voice - Simple Present · He opens the door. - · We set the table. - · She pays a lot of money. - · I draw a picture. - · They wear blue shoes. -
Mr Jones watches films. · The people speak English. · He reads comics. · We play volleyball. · They sing the song. · I take photos. · She does the housework. · The
Present simple passive ; You wash the car every week. The car is washed every week. ; He watches TV in the evening. TV is watched in the evening. ; We build our
We make the passive by putting the verb 'to be' into whatever tense we need and then adding the past participle. For regular verbs, we make the past