Passive Voice

The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action.

• The Passive is formed : Passive Subject + To Be + Past Particple

The house was built in 1989.

• It is often used in business when the object of the action is more important than those who perform the action.

We have produced over 20 different models in the past two years. Changes to: Over 20 different models have been produced in the past two years.

• If the agent is important (the person, company or thing that does the action) , use "by"

Tim Wilson wrote "The Flight to Brunnswick" in 1987. Changes to:"The Flight to Brunnswick" was written in 1987 by Tim Wilson.

• Only verbs that take an object can be used in the passive voice.

Active	Passive	Time Reference
They make Fords in Cologne.	Fords are made in Cologne.	Present Simple
Susan is cooking dinner.	Dinner is being cooked by Susan	Present Continuous
James Joyce wrote "Dubliners".	"Dubliners" was written by James Joyces.	Past Simple
They were painting the house when I arrived.	The house was being painted when I arrived.	Past Continuous
They have produced over 20 models in the past two years.	Over 20 models have been produced in the past two years.	Present Perfect
They are going to build a new factory in Portland.	A new factory is going to be built in Portland.	Future Intention with Going to
I will finish it tomorrow.	It will be finished tomorrow.	Future Simple

Beberapa Bentuk Kalimat Passive

- Passive Imperative Sentence

Rumus :

Let + objek + be + Kata Kerja Bentuk III

Help the poor (active)

Let the poor be helped (passive)

- Passive Infinitive: It is/was time

Rumus :

It is/was time for + objek + to be + kata kerja III

It is time to send the letter (active)

It is time for the letter to be sent (passive)

- Negative Passive Imperative Sentence

Rumus :

Subjek + be + Kata kerja III + not to + infinitive

(kata kerja III yang sering digunakan adalah: advised, asked, begged, commanded, requested)

Don’t wait for me (active)

You are advised not to wait for me (passive)

- Passive Sentence with Verbs of Perception

Rumus :

Subjek + be + adjectives + when + subjek + be + kata kerja III

(kata kerja yang digunakan adalah: taste, smell, feel)

This food tastes delicious (active)

This food is delicious when it is tasted (passive)

- Passive Sentence with Certain Verbs followed by “that-clause”

Kata kerja yang digunakan adalah: accept, admit, agree, assume, believe, decide, expect, find out, intend, plan, point out, presume, prove, regret, report, say, think, understand.

We regretted that the principal had to resign from office (active)

It was regretted that the principal had to resign from office (passive)

- Passive Sentence with Nouns or Adjectives as Complements

I consider her very pretty (active)

She is considered very pretty (passive)

- Passive Sentence with two objects

He gave me a book (active)

A book was given to me by him (passive 1)

I was given a book by him (passive 2)

- Passive Sentence with Gerund Verbs

The teacher enjoyed teaching the students (active)

The students enjoyed being taught by the teacher (passive)

- Agent consisting long expression at the end of sentence

Dalam kalimat pasif, jika pelaku terdiri dari ekspresi yang panjang, sebaiknya subjek tersebut ditempatkan di akhir kalimat setelah by.

We were all surprised by her sudden announcement to get married

I was confused by his plan to stop the ongoing project and begin a new one.

- Passive Sentence with unique verbs

Kata kerja yang digunakan adalah: require, deserve, need

This wall needs to be painted (sama dengan)

This wall needs painting.