The Passive Voice In the News

The Passive Voice In the News

It is easy to understand the news once you already know the Passive Voice structure, as it always appears in the news headlines, articles, etc.

From Wikipiedia, the free encyclopedia

The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States will mark the commencement of the four-year term of Donald Trump as President. A public ceremony will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017, on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

The inauguration theme is “Uniquely American”, a phrase that highlights the inaugural ceremony as “a uniquely American expression of our Constitutional system.” The theme also stresses the peaceful transition of power, and that the American people are “united behind an enduring republic.” The inaugural ceremonies will be held in Washington, D.C. from January 17 to 21, 2017 will include concerts, the swearing-in ceremony, luncheon and parade, inaugural balls, and the interfaith inaugural prayer service. The presidential oath will be administered to Trump during his swearing-in ceremony on January 20, 2017 by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts and the vice presidential oath of office will be administered to Pence by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas”.

 

When do we use the Passive Voice?

Focus on important information

  • By placing the object at the beginning of the sentence, the passive can change the focus of interest in a sentence.

The United were beaten by Arsenal. (we are more interested in the United)

  • The passive is used in a variety of contexts. Notice how the agent (subject of the sentence- a person who does the action, or an object which is talked about) is unimportant, unknown or clear from the situation,

Impersonal statements Students are asked not to smoke.
When the agent is unknown My bike has been stolen! (Here we could say Someone/They have stolen my bike. )
When the agent is obvious Mr Jones will be arrested.
How something was done The box was opened with a knife.

 

Changes of tenses in the Passive Voice

Learn how and why we use the Passive Voice and then do lots of practice exercises to test yourself. On our e-learning platform you will find a great number of various types of exciting exercises like listenings, matching pairs and gap fillings. Sign up as a school, university, company or an individual student and learn English in an exciting way!

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