Page 69 - Grammar Glow - 5

The tense of the verb does not change, only the form changes.

When the verb is changed from active to passive, the following rules are followed.

Tense/verb forms How to form passives

1. Simple Present is/am/are + 3rd form of the verb

2. Present Continuous is/am/are + being + 3rd form of the verb

3. Present Perfect has/have + been + 3rd form of the verb
4. Simple Past was/were + 3rd form of the verb

5. Past Continuous was/were + being + 3rd form of the verb

6. Past Perfect had been + 3rd form of the verb
7. Simple Future shall be/will be + 3rd form of the verb

8. Future Perfect shall/will + have been + 3rd form of the verb

Present Simple

The passive voice is formed by using is/am/are + third form of the verb.

Active Voice Passive Voice

1. The tailor sews a shirt. A shirt is sewn by the tailor.

2. He beats me. I am beaten by him.
3. The police arrest the thieves The thieves are arrested by the police.

Present Continuous Tense

The passive voice is formed by using is being/am being/are being + third form of the

verb.

Active Voice Passive Voice

1. The tailor is sewing a shirt. A shirt is being sewn by the tailor.

2. The wolf is killing two hares. Two hares are being killed by the wolf.
3. They are helping me. I am being helped by them.

Present Prefect Tense

The passive voice is formed by using have been/has been + third form of the verb.

Active Voice Passive Voice
1. The tailor has sewn a shirt. A shirt has been sewn by the tailor.
2. He has beaten me. I have been beaten by him.

67