The passive is:
present simple am / is / are (not) + past participle:
past simple was / were (not) + past participle:
cleaned / invented / injured / done / built / taken etc.
The past participle of regular verbs is -ed (cleaned / danced etc):
For a list of irregular past participles (done / built / taken etc):
* Butter is made from milk.
* Oranges are imported into Britain.
* How often are these rooms cleaned?
* I am never invited to parties.
* This house was built 100 years ago.
* These houses were built 100 years ago.
* When was the telephone invented?
* We weren't invited to the party last week.
* Was anybody injured in the accident? Yes, two people were taken to hospital.
was / were / born:
* I was born in Berlin in 1993, (not I am born).
* Where were you born? in Cairo.
passive + by...
* The telephone was invented by Alexander Bell in 1876 (Alexander Bell invented it)
* I was bitten by a dog a few days ago.
* Do you like these painting? They were painted by a friend of mine.
Make sentences from these words. Some of the sentences are questions. sentences 1-7 are present:
1. The office is cleaned every day.
2. How often are these rooms cleaned?
3. Glass is made from sand.
4. The windows are cleaned every two weeks.
5. This room isn't used very much.
6. Are we allowed to park here?
7. How is this word pronounced?
8. The office was cleaned yesterday.
9. The house was painted last month .
10. My phone was stolen a few days ago.
11. Three people were injured in the accident.
12. When was this bridge built?
13. I wasn't woken up by the noise.
14. How were these windows broken?
15. Were you invited to Jon's party last week?
Another example of sentences:
1. This house was built 100 years ago.
2. Football is played in most countries of the world.
3. Why was the letter sent to the wrong address?
4. A film studio is a place where films are made.
5. Where were you born?
6. How many languages are spoken in Switzerland?
7. Somebody broke into our house, but nothing was stolen.
8. When was invented the bicycle?
Make sentences. Use the passive (present or past) of these verbs:
1. The room is cleaned every day.
2. I was an accident yesterday. Two people were taken to hospital.
3. Paper is made from wood.
4. There was a fire at the hotel last week. Two of the rooms were damaged.
5. Where did you get this picture? It was given to me by a friend of mine.
6. Many American programmes are shown on British TV.
7. Did James and Sue go to the wedding? No, They were invited, but they didn't go.
8. How old is this film? It was made in 1985.
9. My car was stolen last week, but the next day it was found by the police.
Where were they born?
1. Lan was born in Edinburgh.
2. Sarah was born in Manchester.
3. Her parents were born in Ireland.
4. I was born in Sudan.
5. My mother was born in Sudan also.
