Read the following sentences. Observe the italicized verbs.
1. I am particularly suited to this position.
2. I can also be reached by email.
3. The application letter is written by William Smith.
4. The programmer position is advertised in the Times Union.
5. Three references are enclosed in the application letter.
6. The application letter was sent three days ago.
7. Several positions were offered in yesterday’s local newspaper.
Did you notice that in all the sentences you found be (am, is, are, was, or were) and past participles (V-3)?
Those sentences are called passive sentences. Study the following examples to see how passive sentences are formed from active ones.
Active Voice and Passive Voice
She cleans the room every day.
The room is cleaned every day.
He is cleaning the rooms right now.
The rooms are being cleaned right now.
She cleaned the room yesterday afternoon.
The rooms was cleaned yesterday afternoon.
The cleaning service was cleaning the rooms at 12.00 yesterday.
He couldn’t check in at 12.00 noon yesterday because the rooms were being cleaned.
NO TE:
In the passive voice, the subjects disappear. Passive voices are usually used when the subjects (doers) are not really important, therefore they might be erased from the sentences. In passive voice, the process is more important than the doer.
Change the following active sentences to passive ones.
1. He manages the local branch of a national shoe retailer.
__________________________________________
2. The company has advertised the job opportunity in the national newspaper.
__________________________________________
3. He developed time management tools for staff.
__________________________________________
4. She will enclose her resume in the application letter.
__________________________________________
5. Linda is writing an application letter for the position as a secretary.
__________________________________________
1. I am particularly suited to this position.
2. I can also be reached by email.
3. The application letter is written by William Smith.
4. The programmer position is advertised in the Times Union.
5. Three references are enclosed in the application letter.
6. The application letter was sent three days ago.
7. Several positions were offered in yesterday’s local newspaper.
Did you notice that in all the sentences you found be (am, is, are, was, or were) and past participles (V-3)?
Those sentences are called passive sentences. Study the following examples to see how passive sentences are formed from active ones.
Active Voice and Passive Voice
She cleans the room every day.
The room is cleaned every day.
He is cleaning the rooms right now.
The rooms are being cleaned right now.
She cleaned the room yesterday afternoon.
The rooms was cleaned yesterday afternoon.
The cleaning service was cleaning the rooms at 12.00 yesterday.
He couldn’t check in at 12.00 noon yesterday because the rooms were being cleaned.
NO TE:
In the passive voice, the subjects disappear. Passive voices are usually used when the subjects (doers) are not really important, therefore they might be erased from the sentences. In passive voice, the process is more important than the doer.
Change the following active sentences to passive ones.
1. He manages the local branch of a national shoe retailer.
__________________________________________
2. The company has advertised the job opportunity in the national newspaper.
__________________________________________
3. He developed time management tools for staff.
__________________________________________
4. She will enclose her resume in the application letter.
__________________________________________
5. Linda is writing an application letter for the position as a secretary.
__________________________________________