4 LEARN THIS! The passive
1 We form the passive with the verb
and the 2
of the
main verb. The object of an active verb can
become the 3
of a passive verb.
They haven't found a cure for colds yet.
(a cure = object) A cure for colds hasn't been found
yet. (a cure = subject)
2 If we need to mention the agent, we use
.Enormous public baths were built
by the Romans.
3 We use the passive:
a when we do not know (or do not want or
need to say) who does something.
b for more formal language, e.g. for processes.
First, the coffee beans are dried. Then they are
roasted
c when we want to focus on the person to
whom the action is done, not the
person
doing the action
4 We use the 5
and past continuous
forms of the passive, but we do not use other
continuous forms.
Hygiene is being improved.
Hygiene has been being improved. X
They have been improving hygiene. ✓