SUMMARY OF UNIT 3 Passive Voice PASSIVE VOICE = BE + PAST PARTICIPLE
Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney. Star Wars was directed by George Lucas.
The passive voice can be used with a strong agent if we want to emphasize the action or the receiver of the action.
Hollywood was built at the beginning of the 20th century. Children are not allowed to see some movies. I was told that you didn’t like the movie. The Oscar ceremony is seen all over the world.
The passive voice is usually used without an agent when: • the agent is not known, or it is not important to mention who performed the action • the agent is obvious • we want to hide the identity of the agent • the agent is not a specific person but people in general
Reagan got shot in 1981. No one got killed.
Get can be used instead of be in certain conversational expressions. Get is not used when the agent is mentioned.
Participles and other Adjectives
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EXAMPLES
EXPLANATION
Silent movies are very interesting. Charlie Chaplin was an entertaining actor.
The present participle is used as an adjective to show that someone or something produced the feeling.
He is interested in the life of Charlie Chaplin. I saw a great movie and was very entertained.
The past participle is used to show that the subject experienced the feeling caused by someone or something else.
The movie theater is closed. The doors are locked. I don’t like to see a movie in a crowded theater.
Other past participles are used as adjectives.
Some movie stars get rich quickly. Some movie stars get married many times.
Get is used with past participles and other adjectives to mean become.
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