1. What is Present Simple (Passive Form)?
Form - 'be' verb + verb (past participle)
e.g. am taken, is eaten, are given, etc.
2. When to use the Passive Present Simple form?
- We use the Passive Form when:
i) our focus is result of the action
- (we use 'by'+ 'person' who did the action)
ii) we do not know who did the action
iii) we do not need to mention who or it's not necessary
3. How to use the Passive Present Simple - Example Sentence
1. English is spoken by more than 1.65 billion people around the world.
2. The Japanese yen is used in Japan.
3. What currency is used in your country?
4. Rice is grown in many parts of Asia.
5. Coffee is served from 7am at our canteen.
6. This charity shop is run by volunteers.
7. Butter isn't used to make these vegan brownies.
The following story uses the Present Simple Passive to describe the daily operations of an art museum.
Can you spot the examples?
A Day at the Art Museum
The Art Museum is a place where history, creativity, and culture are preserved. Every day, hundreds of visitors are welcomed through the grand doors. As they step inside, they are greeted by the sight of magnificent paintings and sculptures.
Each piece of art is displayed with care. Information about the artists and their work is provided next to every exhibit. Throughout the day, guided tours are offered by knowledgeable staff. Visitors are taken on a journey through time as they explore different art movements and styles.
In the restoration room, damaged artwork is carefully repaired. The most delicate pieces are handled with extreme caution. Finally, before the museum closes, all exhibits are checked to ensure that they are safe and secure.
At the end of the day, the museum is cleaned and prepared for the next day’s visitors. The Art Museum is not just a building; it is a living gallery where history is preserved and shared with the world.
Present Simple (Passive)
are preserved
are welcomed
are greeted
is displayed
is provided
are offered
are taken
is (carefully) repaired
are handled
are checked
is cleaned and prepared
is preserved
4. How to form Present Simple Passive - Positive, Negative & Short forms, Wh-Question, Yes/No Q's & Short Answers
i) Present Simple Passive - positive + (short form)
Form - am, is, are + Past Participle
e.g. teach > taught
I am ('m) taught
you / we / they are ('re) taught
he / she / it is ('s) taught
ii) Present Simple Passive - negative + (short form)
Form - (am not, is not, are not + Past Participle)
I am not ('m not) taught
you / we / they are not ('re not / aren't) taught
he / she / it is not ('s not, isn't) taught
iii) Present Simple Passive - Wh-Question
Form - (Wh-Question + 'be' + Past Participle)
e.g. How often are the lessons taught?
iv) Present Simple Passive - Yes/No Question
Form - ('be' + subject + Past Participle)
e.g. Are you taught by ...?
Grammar Point!
Past Participle form for regular / irregular verbs examples:
i) Regular verbs
e.g.
(Present) (Past) (Past Participle)
allow allowed allowed
clean cleaned cleaned
ii) Irregular verbs
- e.g.
(Present) (Past) (Past Participle)
speak spoke spoken write wrote written
5. Why do we use the Passive Form? Uses & Example Sentence
We use the Passive form because we want to focus :
- on the result of an action and not the person/thing that did the action.
i) Present Simple Passive - Example sentence
a. English is spoken by many people.
| |
(subject) (object)
ii) Present Simple (Active)
(Subject) (object)
| |
1. Many people speak English.
Grammar Note!
i. The meaning of both active & passive sentences are the same.
ii.Passive form is common in news articles and academic writing.
Quick review!
Passive form - More Example Sentences
Situation #1 - Use Passive Form:
- We want to focus on the result - not the person who did the action
(a) visit > visited
e.g. Mont-St-Michel (France) is visited by more than 3 million people every year.
Compare: Present Simple (Active)
> More than 3 million people visit Mont-St-Michel (France) every year.
(b) grow > grown
e.g. Rice is grown in Vietnam.
Compare: Present Simple (active)
> They grow rice in Vietnam.
(c) speak > spoken
e.g. English is spoken in many countries.
Compare : Present Simple (active)
> In many countries people speak English.
Situation #2 - Use Passive Form:
- We do not know who caused the action
(a) clean > cleaned
- The rooms are cleaned every day.
Compare: Present Simple (active)
> Someone cleans the rooms everyday.
(b) import > are imported
e.g. Fruit and vegetables are imported into Singapore.
Compare: Present Simple (active)
> Singapore imports fruit and vegetables.
Situation #3 - Use Passive Form:
- We do not need to mention the person or thing causing the action (not necessary)
(a) - sell > is sold
e.g. Fresh seafood is sold at food markets.
(*not necessary to say 'by the fishmongers')
Compare > Present Simple (active)
>They sell fresh seafood at food markets.
(b) teach > are taught
e.g. All lessons are taught in English.
Compare > Present Simple (active)
>They teach all lessons in English.
Present Simple Passive Present Simple (Active)
1. Rice isn't grown in Singapore. > They don't grow rice in Singapore.
2. Is rice grown in SIngapore? > Do they grow rice in Singapore?
3. What is grown there? > What do they grow there?
Grammar Learning Tip!
We use the Passive Form quite a lot in real life as we may want to focus on different things or which fact is more important - the person or the action
5. Quick Recap - Present Simple Passive
i) Present Simple (Active)
e.g. How do you spell "garage"?
ii) Present Simple Passive
e.g. How is "garage" spelt?
English Learning Tip!
1. When practising or reviewing English grammar on your own, you may want to use personal experience in your everyday situation to make your own original sentences...
i) Present Simple (Active)
- Our restaurant uses only the best quality rice in our *bento sets.
*bento = Japanese style packed lunch
- Present Simple (Passive)
e.g. Only the best quality rice is used in our bento sets. (by our restaurant)
English Learning Tip!
Practise Passive Present Simple form (3 ways to use) in your everyday life.
For example, you may be drinking coffee and thinking...
-" This coffee is made from top quality Arabica beans."
- "The beans are imported."
- "The coffee is served in a 100% recyclable cup." ;-)
6. Let's Practise - 3 Ways to use the Passive Present Simple Form
Note:
i) result of action is more important than the 'doer'
ii) we don't know 'doer' of the action
iii) we don't need / not necessary to say 'who'
Change the following (active) sentences into the Passive Form.
- At a bakery.
1. We bake our bread daily.
- Our bread 's / is baked daily.
2. We do not allow pets in our store.
- Pets are not / aren't allowed.(in our store)
3. We sell many different types of bread here.
- Many different types of bread are sold here.
4. We accept cards and cash payment in our bakery.
Cards and cash payment are accepted here. (in our bakery)
5. Our staff speak English, Japanese and Mandarin.
- English, Japanese and Mandarin are spoken. (by our staff)
6. We don't serve afternoon tea.
- Afternoon tea isn't served.
7. We import our ingredients from all over the world.
- Our ingredients are imported from all over the world.
English Speaking Tip!
Practise speaking using the short forms - 's / isn't, etc. as much as you can. You'll sound more natural.
Grammar Point!
There are (8 Tenses) Passive Voice / Form:
- Present Simple Passive
- Present Continuous Passive
- Past Simple Passive
- Past Continuous Passive
- Present Perfect Passive
- Past Perfect Passive
- Future Simple Passive
- Future Perfect Passive
Need to review other Tenses?
>>Past Simple Passive
>>Past Participles: Uses & List of Regular/Irregular Verbs
>>English Imperative Form - 3 Ways to Use
Check out the post links below.
Thanks so much for reading & Happy Learning!
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