Chapter 8

The Passive Voice

Using and transforming the passive accurately in writing.

Transformation and tense

  • be (correct tense) + past participle.
  • has built → has been built; is building → is being built.

Style

  • Passive suits formal reports and when the doer is unknown.
  • Do not overuse the passive in narrative writing.

Key idea

The passive (be + past participle) must keep the original tense; it suits formal writing and unknown doers.

Remember

Perfect passive uses 'has/have been + past participle'.

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