Passive Constructions/UFC summary with activities
Objective:
To understand and use passive constructions correctly in English.
Introduction:
- Active vs Passive Voice: In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the subject is acted upon.
- Why Use Passive Voice? It's often used when the action is more important than who or what is performing it, or when the doer is unknown or irrelevant.
Key Concepts:
Forming Passive Voice:
- Structure: Object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence.
- Formula: Subject + Auxiliary Verb (be) + Past Participle + (by + Agent)
- Example: Active: "The chef cooked the meal." → Passive: "The meal was cooked by the chef."
When to Use Passive Voice:
- When the doer is unknown: "The window was broken."
- To emphasize an action rather than the doer: "The treaty was signed in 1945."
- To be formal or diplomatic: "Mistakes were made."
Examples in Context:
- Sophie's Phone Call:
- "I was told about the festival by a local guide."
- "The tickets were booked in advance."
Exercises:
Identify the Passive:
- "The car was repaired by John."
- Is this sentence in passive voice? (Answer: Yes)
Convert to Passive:
- Convert this sentence to passive: "The dog chased the cat."
- Answer: "The cat was chased by the dog."
Fill in the Blanks:
- "The cake ___ (bake) by my grandmother."
- Answer: "was baked"
Interactive Activities:
True/False:
- "Passive voice is used when the subject of the sentence is more important than the action." (False)
Rearrange the Words:
- "repaired / was / The / computer"
- Correct Sentence: "The computer was repaired."
Complete the Sentence:
- "A beautiful mural ___ on the wall last month."
- Answer: "was painted"
Conclusion:
Passive voice is a powerful tool in English when used appropriately. It helps focus on the action or result rather than the doer, and is particularly useful in formal writing or when the doer is unknown.
Detailed Activities on Passive Voice
Activity 1: Passive Voice Transformation Challenge
Objective: Transform active sentences into passive voice.
Instructions:
- Below are ten sentences in the active voice.
- Your task is to convert each one into passive voice.
- Pay attention to tense and sentence structure.
Sentences:
1. The company is launching a new product next month.
2. The chef prepares these dishes using traditional methods.
3. They have cancelled all flights due to the storm.
4. Someone stole my bicycle from the garage.
5. The committee will announce the winners tomorrow.
Answers:
1. A new product is being launched by the company next month.
2. These dishes are prepared by the chef using traditional methods.
3. All flights have been cancelled due to the storm.
4. My bicycle was stolen from the garage.
5. The winners will be announced by the committee tomorrow.
Activity 2: Passive Voice in the News
Objective: Identify and analyze the use of passive voice in news articles.
Instructions:
- Find two news articles online or in a newspaper.
- Identify at least three sentences using passive voice in each article.
- Explain why passive voice is used in these sentences.
Example:
- Article: 'The law was passed by the senate last night.'
- Analysis: Passive voice emphasizes the action (passing of the law) and not who passed it, indicating a formal and objective tone.
Answers: Vary based on chosen articles.
Activity 3: Creating a Passive Voice Story
Objective: Write a short story predominantly using passive voice.
Instructions:
- Write a 300-word story where most sentences use passive voice.
- The story can be of any genre – mystery, adventure, science fiction, etc.
- Ensure the story remains engaging and coherent.
Example: 'The mystery was finally solved. The treasure had been hidden for centuries, and it was discovered by a group of teenagers.'
Answers: Creative, based on individual stories.
Activity 4: Passive Voice Conversation Practice
Objective: Use passive voice in a conversational context.
Instructions:
- Pair up with a classmate or friend.
- Engage in a 10-minute conversation where you discuss a recent event or news story.
- Try to use passive voice as much as possible.
- Record or write down parts of your conversation.
Example: 'Did you hear? The new sports complex was inaugurated last week.'
Answers: Conversations will vary; review each other's use of passive voice for accuracy and appropriateness.
Activity 5: Passive Voice Grammar Quiz
Objective: Test your understanding of passive voice constructions.
Instructions:
- Below are five sentences. Some are in passive voice, and some are not.
- Identify which are in passive voice and which are not.
- For those that are not in passive voice, convert them to passive voice.
Sentences:
1. The dog chased the cat.
2. The movie tickets were booked by Sarah.
3. We are planting trees in the backyard.
4. The novel was written by George Orwell.
5. They are building a new bridge over the river.
Answers:
1. Not passive (Passive: The cat was chased by the dog).
2. Passive.
3. Not passive (Passive: Trees are being planted in the backyard).
4. Passive.
5. Not passive (Passive: A new bridge is being built over the river).
