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47
A sentence containing a verb in the passive voice is called a passive construction, and a sentence containing
a verb in the active voice is called an active construction, especially when opposed to the passive construction.
The subject of an active construction denotes the agent (doer) of the action, which may be a living being, or
any source of the action (a thing, a natural phenomenon, an abstract notion).
The subject of a passive construction has the meaning of the receiver of the action, that is a person or non-
person affected by the action.
The object of an active construction denotes the receiver of the action, whereas the object of the passive
construction is the agent of the action. The latter is introduced by the preposition by. If it is not the agent but the
instrument, it is introduced by the preposition with.
The cup was broken by Jim.
It was broken with a hammer.
Formation and the system of forms in the passive voice
§ 65. The active voice has no special means of formation. It is recognized by contrast with the passive voice,
which is composed of the auxiliary verb to be and participle II. Thus the passive verb forms are analytical, the
tense of the auxiliary verb to be varies according to the sense. The notional verb (participle II) remains
unchanged and provides the whole analytical form with its passive meaning.
The category of voice applies to the whole system of English verb forms, both finite and non-finite.
Table II
The voice forms of the verb
Perfect
Tense
The active voice
The Passive Voice
Aspect
Present
Past
Future
Present
Past
Future
Common
takes
took
will take
is taken
was taken
will be taken
-----------
Non-perfect
Continuous
is taking
was taking
will be taking
is being
taken
was being
taken
Common
has taken
had taken
will have
taken
has been
taken
had been
taken
will have
been taken
Perfect
Continuous
has been
taking
had been
taking
will have been
taking
-------------
-----------
-----------
Note:
The verb to get occurs as a passive voice auxiliary, emphasizing the result of the action denoted by participle
II.
They got married last year.
I got hurt in an accident.
The active voice
§ 66. The active voice is widely used with all kinds of verbs, both transitive and intransitive. The meaning of
the active voice depends on the type of verb and the syntactical pattern of the sentence.
1. The active voice of transitive verbs presents an action as directed from the subject and passing over to the
object, that is from the doer (agent) of the action to its receiver.
John made a boat for his brother.
They are building a new railway.
We are talking about the new film.