Amerilingua

Grammar: Passive Voice

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Sleep Myths
Sleep Myths
Do you sleep like a baby, or do you toss and turn all night? In this lesson, students will explore sleep and the various factors that can affect normal sleep patterns. The lesson features a video of two experts debunking common myths about sleep. Students will learn and practice using the passive voice, reporting verbs, and related vocabulary. The lesson includes engaging discussion activities and worksheets specifically designed for adult and teenage learners, ensuring an interactive and informative learning experience.
B2 Upper-Intermediate   |   General English, Speaking Lessons   |   Video   |   Sleep   |   45 min   | B2-9
Why Conspiracy Theories Spread
Why Conspiracy Theories Spread
Don’t go down the rabbit hole! In this lesson, students will explore conspiracy theories and the spread of information. The lesson features a video of an expert discussing why people believe and share conspiracy theories. Students will learn and practice the passive voice along with relevant vocabulary. The lesson includes plenty of engaging discussion activities and worksheets designed for both adult and teenage learners, ensuring a thought-provoking and interactive learning experience.
C1 Advanced   |   General English, Speaking Lessons   |   Video   |   Conspiracy Theories   |   45 min   | C1-10

In English grammar, understanding the passive voice is crucial for effective communication, especially when the focus is on the action rather than who or what is performing it. This concept applies equally in both British and American English. Here's an easy-to-understand guide on using the passive voice:

  1. What is Passive Voice?: The passive voice is a sentence construction where the subject is acted upon by the verb. For example, in "The cake was eaten," the focus is on the cake that experienced the action of being eaten, not on who ate it.

  2. Formation of Passive Voice: It is formed using the verb 'to be' in various tenses followed by the past participle of the main verb. For instance, "The letter is written by Sarah" (present tense) or "The house was built in 1900" (past tense).

  3. When to Use Passive Voice: It is often used when the subject performing the action is unknown, unimportant, or assumed to be generally known. For example, "The window was broken" (unknown who broke it) or "The road is being repaired" (workers repairing the road are not the focus).

  4. Active vs. Passive Voice: In contrast to the passive, the active voice emphasizes the subject performing the action. For example, the active form of "The cake was eaten" would be "Someone ate the cake."

  5. Passive Voice for Formality and Objectivity: The passive voice is commonly used in formal writing or when an objective tone is desired. It is prevalent in scientific writing, formal reports, and news reporting.

Understanding when and how to use the passive voice enhances the flexibility and clarity of English communication, allowing for a focus on different aspects of an action or event as needed.