1-3 Active and Passive

Active and Passive

• Someone stole my computer! (active)
• My computer was stolen! (passive)

The agent is not important

• The store was closed when I went. (who closed the store is not important)
• I can't use the elevator because it is broken down. (what caused it to break down is not important)
• I couldn't buy any tickets for the concert because it was sold out. (who sold all the tickets is not important)

The agent isn't known

• His bicycle was stolen. (we do not know who stole the bicycle)
• My living room window was broken when I got home yesterday. (we do not know who or what broke the window)
• My bag has been taken. (we do not know who took my bag)

The agent is not needed or already understood

• The criminal was arrested in front of the station. (of course, the police arrested the criminal)
• Romeo and Juliet was written hundreds of years ago. (of course, Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet)
• The subway is used quite a bit in this city. (of course, people use the subway)

• My bag was stolen by somebody.
• The highway was built by people in 1997.
• Champagne is made by people in France.

• You = people in general
• We = people in general including the speaker
• They = people in an authority position (government, police, etc.) This is also used to exclude the speaker and listener and refer to another unrelated group of people.

• They made this highway in 1997. (active)
  • This highway was made in 1997. (passive)
• You can use the pool in the summer. (active)
  • The pool can be used in the summer. (passive)
• We play soccer in my country all year round. (active)
  • Soccer is played in my country all year round. (passive)

• The wall is fixed.
• I am so tired right now.
• She was really surprised when I told her the news.
• The car door is scratched.