alpha Lernen - Englisch

Forms of tenses Passive voice

Stand: 07.10.2016

Generally, you use the passive voice when the focus is on a thing or an action, rather than who or what is performing the action, It's mostly used in written texts.

The station was designed by William Barlow.
Many films have been made about the Eurostar.

In headlines, you often find short forms.

"Three Kittens Found" - instead of "Three Kittens Have Been Found"

Using the passive voice after a modal verb like can, must or might, you put be and the past participle.

The history of Eurostar can be traced back to 1986.

The passive voice with progressive aspect is used to emphasize an action that is currently performed on something.

The train is being cleaned.