Passives
Strona bierna (The Passive Voice) to jedna z najważniejszych struktur gramatycznych na poziomie CAE (C1 Advanced). Jest niezwykle często używana w języku formalnym, artykułach, mediach, raportach, rozprawkach oraz języku biznesowym. Opanowanie strony biernej pomaga brzmieć bardziej naturalnie, profesjonalnie i „native-like”.
When do we use the Passive?
It’s obvious who did the thing → The universe was created in 7 days. (It was God!)
We don’t know who did the thing → JFK was shot in Dallas. (By the mafia, the CIA?)
We want to hide who did the thing → Five people were killed in a missile attack. (It was our government)
We want to sound formal and academic → The test results are being analysed | The law was introduced in 2020.
To be polite or diplomatic → Your complaint is being considered.
The action is more important than the person who did it → The decision was made yesterday.
To focus on the result, not the process → My car was repaired yesterday. (Now, it works)
Subject + verb + reflexive pronoun
How do we make the Passive?
Present Simple Passive: am / is / are + past participle
→ In this hotel, the rooms are cleaned daily.
→ Millions of bottles of Coke are drunk every day.
Past Simple Passive: was / were + past participle
→ The email was sent yesterday.
→ The old bridge was destroyed by a huge storm in 1876.
Future Simple Passive: will be + past participle
→ The results will be announced in two weeks
→ Your parcel will be delivered on Friday.
Present Continuous Passive: am / is / are being + past participle
→ My car is being repaired at the moment.
→ I’m staying with my mum while my apartment is being renovated.
Past Continuous Passive: was / were being + past participle
→ The little boy was being bullied at school.
→ Sam couldn’t come to the party because he was being interviewed by the police.
→ Traffic went down while our website was being redesigned.
Present Perfect Passive: has / have been + past participle
→ Oh no! My sandwich has been eaten! But by who…?
→ Sam Have you heard? Tim has been hit by a car. We’re going to the hospital now.
Past Perfect Passive: had been + past participle
→ When I got to work, my computer had been switched on. But by who?
→ I returned from my holiday to find my car had been stolen.
Future Perfect Passive: was / were being + past participle
→ We promise that all the report’s recommendations will have been implemented by Dec 31st, this year.
Modal Passives (Present and Future): be + past participle
→ This sandwich must be consumed before 31.08.2028
→ Safety equipment must be worn at all times.
Modal Passives (Past): have been + past participle
→ This floor should have been cleaned yesterday. Why wasn’t it?
→ The window is smashed! It must have been broken in the the storm last night.
