Passive Forms

Active to Passive:

1)We are going to launch our new product in July
Our new product is going to be launched in July

2)The managers are making a decision
A decision is being made by the managers

3)People can now do their shopping online
Shopping can now be done online

4)You have to put out your cigarette before you go in a public place
Your cigarette has to be put out before you go in a public place

5)Teachers make students do homework
Students are made to do homework by their teachers


Use of Passive:

1)To create an impersonal style.
2)To focus on the action or object of the action rather than on the agent (performer).
3)To give new information at the end, rather than beginning of sentence (‘given/new’ rule).

‘Given/new’ rule:
e.g. On the left, you can see a portrait of Elizabeth Cook

a)her husband painted it
b)it was painted by her husband