*

 The passive is used without a “by phrase.” The

passive is most frequently used when it is not
known or not important to know exactly who
performs an action.
 The “by phrase” is included only if it is important
to know who performs an action.
 Indirect objects as passive subjects.
 Stative passive
* Rice is grown in India
* Our house was built in 1890

The passive is used without a “by phrase.”

The passive is most frequently used when it
is not known or not important to know
exactly who performs an action
*Life on the Mississippi was
written by Mark Twain.

The “by phrase” is included only if it is

important to know who performs an action.
Indirect objects as Passive subjects

an award

an award

an award
THE PASSIVE FORM OF MODALS AND SIMILAR
EXPRESSIONS

will
modal+
THE PASSIVE FORM OF MODALS AND SIMILAR
EXPRESSIONS

The letter should have been sent last week

This house must have been built over 200 years
ago
Jack ought to have been invited to the party
• When the passive form expresses an existing state
rather than an action, it is the “stative passive.
• There is no “by phrase.”
• The past participle functions as an adjective.

e. g. :
Now the door is locked
Now the window is broken
• Often stative passive verbs are followed by
preposition other than by

e. g. :
I am interested in Chinese art
He is satisfied with his job
Ann is married to Alex
• Get may be followed by certain adjectives.
e.g.: I’m getting hungry.

• The passive with get is common in spoken English but

is often not appropriate in formal writing.
• Get may be followed by a past participle
e. g. :
I stopped working because I got tired.
• THE PRESENT PARTICIPLE conveys an active meaning
e.g.:
the problem confuses the students
It is a confusing problem

• THE PAST PARTICIPLE conveys a passive meaning.

e. g. :
The students are confused by the problem
 They are confused students
1. Tom opens the door 
2. Tom is opening the door 
3. Tom has opened the door 
4. Tom opened the door 
5. Tom was opening the door 
6. Tom had opened the door 
7. Tom will open the door 
8. Tom is going to open the door

1. The door is opened by Tom
2. The door is being opened by Tom
3. The door has been opened by Tom
4. The door was opened by Tom
5. The door was being opened by Tom
6. The door had been opened by Tom
7. The door will be opened by Tom
The door is going to be opened by Tom
*