Unit 3
Lessons 2, 3 and 4
Student’s Book pages 29, 30 and 31
GRAMMAR
The passive form of verbs
● In passive sentences, the subject of the sentence has something done to it, or is affected by the action of the verb. The opposite is an active sentence, where the subject of the sentence performs the action.
Passive sentences do not have to mention who or what is performing the action (the agent). If they do, the agent is introduced with by.
-In the ancient Olympic Games, winners were awarded a medal, an olive branch and a diploma. (passive; no agent)
-The record for the women’s heptathlon is held by Jessica Ennis. (passive; the agent is Jessica Ennis)
-Jessica Ennis holds the record for the women’s heptathlon. (active)
The Present Simple passive
● We form the Present Simple passive with is/ are + the past participle.
-The competition is held every year.
-The company’s finances are handled by Sara.
The Past Simple passive
● We form the Past Simple passive with was/ were + the past participle.
-Many important things were invented in the 20th century.
-The Olympic Games were started in Ancient Greece.
The Future Simple passive
● We form the Future Simple passive with will be + past participle.
-The work will be finished by 5 pm.
-The project will be completed before the deadline.