a. Bring the object to the beginning of the sentence and delete the subject.

b. Change the verb: add a form of BE in front of the verb, and use the past
participle of the verb.

Passive voice is used when the

subject is unknown or not
important.

The bank was robbed.

(We don't know who did it.)
Many clues were found.
(It's not important who found
1. Now read the newspaper again, and find the passive voice
sentences !
Example:
2. Complete each sentence with the passiveSomeone
voice: found fingerprints.

The bank ___ _______ yesterday. (rob) Fingerprints were found.

$1,000,000 ___ _______ from the bank. (steal)
No customers ___ _______ in the robbery. (hurt) In these examples, BE is in past
One robber ___ _______ by a police officer. (shoot)simple,
Many clues ___ _______ at the bank.(find) so the sentences are passive
The robbery ___ _______ by security cameras. (film)voice past simple.
The focus is on the object.

3. Complete each sentence with the passive voice:

Two guns ___ _______ at the bank. (leave)
Fingerprints ___ _______ on the doors (find)
The customers ___ _______ on TV. (interview)
The white truck ___ _______ leaving the robbery. (see)
The police ___ _______ to the scene of the crime. (call)
The robbers ___ _______ on camera. (catch)
What are the past simple forms of the verb BE?
I was
you were
he, she, it was
we were
they were
ANSWERS
1.

The bank was robbed yesterday.

$1,000,000 was stolen from the bank.
No customers were hurt in the robbery.
One robber was shot by a police officer.
Many clues were found at the bank.
The robbery was filmed by security cameras.

2.

Two guns were left at the bank.

Fingerprints were found on the doors
The customers were interviewed on TV.
The white truck was seen leaving the robbery.
The police were called to the scene of the crime.
The robbers were caught on camera.