BASIC-GRAMMAR-U-20.3

20.3. The passive: present simple

PRESENTATION

Use the passive form when you want to focus on the object not the subject (or person) of the active sentence.

The object becomes the subject.

subject

object

↓

Active sentence:

The host

serves

tea.

Passive sentence:

Tea

is served by

the host.

Form the present simple passive with the verb to be (am/is/are) + past participle.

Affirmative and negative

Questions

Tea	is(n’t)	served in the garden.
Guests	are(n’t)	invited into the room.

See more: Irregular verbs⇒

	Is	tea	served in the garden?
Where	are	guests	invited to go?

Key vocabulary

Customs, traditions and ceremonies: birthday, cake, candles, fireworks, gifts, guests, host, meal