The passive voice in English: essence, rules of education, the methods of translation

The Passive voice in English is quite a simple subject to learn, if before was well-studied methods of education of the second sacrament, especially the table of irregular verbs.

What is passive voice?

In English it is used very actively, so the understanding of its essence is one of the first things to start. Compare the two sentences: "He says”, “spoken”. In the second case, not the object itself is performing the action, and the action is performed over it. Passive voice is also called passive. "the Dress”, “the Offender is taken into custody”, “'ll get the Coffee in the room” everywhere, the subject takes a passive, passive role, is the object of someone's action. To specify the source of the action is not necessary. The offender was taken into custody by someone specific or not – this is not so important. From the construction of the phrase it is clear that such a source exists, but it is secondary.

Passive voice: grammar

The Grammar of the passive voice in English is quite simple and all forms can be reduced to the following pattern:

• Subject + auxiliary verb To be or To have in the appropriate form + second participle.

Not all verbs can be used in the passive voice. Compare the two verbs: travel (to travel) and write (to write). The second verb can have an object on which he performs an action (to write what? - letter, book, essay), and the first verb of such an object can not have. This object is called the direct object. And verbs, which can have a complement are called transitive. As you know, only transitive verbs can be used in the passive voice.

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The Passive voice in English language has only eight grammatical forms. Three tenses - future, present and past, plus the three States of time - simple, long and complete. It would seem that forms of the passive voice should be nine, but the future for a long period of time in the passive voice is not used.

Studying this topic, you'll appreciate how simple and logical English. Passive voice, forms table which is given below, is based on slender grammatical scheme. Following the table, you'll be able to form correct sentences. Despite the fact that this issue is considered difficult (it is considered at the Intermediate level), it usually does not cause particular problems for students.

Special attention should be paid to passive security in the form of time “Future in the past”.

How to translate passive voice

In English, if we forget about Russian and understand at once sense, it's very simple. Here's the object, here the action, here's a simple table in three columns by three rows. But in our language the passive voice is grammatically realized much richer and more complex. Therefore, the translation of the same English sentences can be several.

1. With the help of  verb “to be” and communion. This is especially useful when talking about the past or future tense. As you know, in Russian the verb “to be” in the present tense (form “is”) is used very rarely.

• The houses were built here last year. – Houses were built here last year.
• The parcel will be sent tomorrow. - Parcel will be sent tomorrow.

2. Reflexive verbs (with the Xia). This method is convenient for the present time.

• Letters are delivered at 7 every day. – Letters delivered daily at seven o'clock.

3. Indefinite-personal construction. The verb in this case is plural. Suitable for any time, but is used only when the object doing the action, is not specified.

• The houses were built here last year. - House was built here last year.
• Letters are delivered at 7 every day. – Letters delivered daily at seven o'clock.
• My lawn mower already has been repaired. – My mower is already repaired.
• These offices are being cleaned now. – In offices now removed.
• The parcel will be sent tomorrow. - the Parcel will be sent tomorrow morning.

How to quickly master the passive voice? English, exercises in which in abundance in many modern textbooks is really very easy to learn though, because nothing is off-limits. It offers a huge methodological framework, allowing to build mastery of the language of the person with virtually any characteristics and needs. Imagine you are studying a less popular language, e.g., Korean or even Spanish. Much to choose from, and in many ways will have to be independent in bodily movement "not there” and “wrong”. Here you just need perseverance. Keep a table with the forms of the passive voice and try to translate everything that caught our eye, starting with the proposals in yourtutorial to their own thoughts.