What is Done to Something
Passive Voice
Use the passive voice to express that something is done to an object. The passive voice is especially useful in business situations when the focus is on the product, rather than the person who manufactures the product. The following structure is used for sentences in the passive voice.
Positive Form:
Passive Subject + to be (passive auxiliary) + Past Participle
Our local restaurants are inspected every week.
The wholesaler was pleased by our haggling.
Negative Form:
Passive Subject + to be (passive auxiliary) + Not + Past Participle
"Despite our recommendation, the safe hasn't been moved from the point-of-sale or checkout location. "
The picnic tables will not be painted red this year.
Question Form:
to be (passive auxiliary) + Passive Subject + Past Participle
Were the community centers built by unionized construction workers?
Is the coffee shop occupied at the moment?
Notice that the verb 'to be' is conjugated. Be careful to use 'is' for singular objects and 'are' for plural objects in the present passive voice.
The Use of the Agent 'by' in the Passive Voice
In many cases, the person, company or agent of the action need not be included. This is especially true in general statements.
Oranges are grown in California.
In this case, it is understood that someone grows oranges in California. However, it is not important for the understanding of the sentence to include the agent.
Oranges are grown in California. (by someone)
In the case that it is important to know who or what performs the action in a passive sentence, use the preposition 'by'.
Computers are assembled by Lenovo.
This book was printed by Harper's.
In this case, the company that manufactures the objects is required information.
Passive Tense Comparison Chart
This chart shows passive conjugation for a variety of tenses.
Present Simple Passive
The food processing unit isn't used very often.
The consumers are surveyed every quarter.
Past Simple Passive
Were the sports venues cleaned by the janitorial staff?
The wholesaler was pleased by our haggling.
Future with 'Will' Passive
Our occupancy rate report will be printed tonight.
This guest service will not be continued in the future.
Present Perfect Passive
"Despite our recommendation, the safe hasn't been moved from the point-of-sale or checkout location. "
That fish hasn't been caught in Alaska.