Ever wondered how to talk about things that get done without saying who exactly does them? That’s where the Present Simple Passive Voice is very useful in English grammar.
We use the Present Simple Passive Voice to talk about actions when we don’t know who does them, or when the action is more important than the person.
All that might sound confusing, but in this post, you will learn when and how to use the Present Simple Passive, see some examples, and try easy exercises to practice.
Can you spot the difference?
“A baker bakes bread.” [active voice]
“Bread is baked by a baker.” [passive voice]
Active Voice
How to build?
Here’s how we build an active sentence in the Present Simple:
| Subject |
|---|
A baker |
A baker |
| Verb |
|---|
bakes |
doesn’t bake |
| Object |
|---|
bread. |
potatoes. |
When to use?
We use the Present Simple Active Voice to talk about regular actions or facts. With active verbs, the subject performs the action. For example, in “The baker bakes bread.“, the baker is the subject and he does the action.
Passive Voice
How to build?
Here’s how we build a passive sentence in the Present Simple:
| Subject |
|---|
Bread |
Potatoes |
| Verb |
|---|
is baked |
aren’t baked |
| By-phrase |
|---|
by a baker. |
by a baker. |
The passive consists of the verb to be + the main verb in the past participle form. The verb to be can take various forms but the main verb is always in the past participle.
When to use?
We use the Present Simple Passive to show that something is done by someone regularly or as expected.
Do we always include a by-phrase?
Some passive sentences include what is called a by-phrase. The by-phrase shows the doer or agent of the verb and it should only be included when it is relevant information.
Let’s analyze the sentences:
- My mother makes my breakfast every morning. [active voice]
- My breakfast is made by my mother every morning. [passive voice]
It is important to include the by-phrase (by my mother) in this case because the person who makes breakfast is someone specific, so it is relevant information.
- Somebody cleans the office every day. [active voice]
- The office is cleaned every day. [passive voice]
In the passive sentence, the reader’s attention is focused on the office, rather than on who cleans it. The by-phrase is unnecessary in this case because the subject (somebody) is not specific, it doesn’t add relevant information.
Interactive Exercises
EXERCISE 1
Write sentences from these words. All sentences are present.
| 1. paper / make / from / wood |
| 2. this classroom / use / very often |
| 3. bread / sell / in the bakery |
Check your progress!
Your turn
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