ACTIVE / PASSIVE VERB TENSES

A sentence is written in the ACTIVE VOICE when:

• The subject of the sentence performs the action.

• The person/thing performing the action is named before the verb.

A sentence is written in the PASSIVE VOICE when:

• When the agent is unknown.

• When the agent is not important.
• When we want to give importance to the object of the active voice.
• The passive voice is used more in writing and formal speech, such as public information
(rules, signs, brochures..) and media reports.

FORM ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE

Present simple The company hires new workers New workers are hired by the company
every year. every day.
Present Continuous The company is hiring new New workers are being hired by the
workers now. company.
Present Perfect simple The company has hired new New workers have been hired by the
workers now. company.
Past simple The company hires new workers New workers were hired by the
last year. company last year.
Past Continuous The company was hiring new New workers were being hired by the
workers yesterday. company yesterday.
Past Perfect simple The company had hired new New workers had been hired by the
workers. company.
Future simple The company will hire new New workers will be hired by the
workers. company.
Modals The company can hire new New workers can be hired by the
workers. company.
Modals perfects The company must have hired New workers must have been hired by
new workers. the company.

TAG QUESTIONS
• Positive statement – Negative tag
• Negative statement – Positive tag

FORM TAG EXAMPLE

Simple present / no auxiliary
TO BE in the simple tence
TO HAVE as the main verb
Present progressive
Present Perfect
Do / does Your parents live in the city, don’t they?
Repeat the main verb This is an open office plan, isn’t it?
Do / does OR has have He has an office, dosen’t he?
are / is He is living in the city, isn’t he?
Has / have He has moved to the suburbs, hasn’t he?