🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 77 (from laksa108)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa077.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/passive-voice/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/passive-voice/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/passive-voice\/","crawl_time":1775367197,"first_indexed_time":1512372096,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"edu,ef!www,\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/passive-voice\/ s443","src_root_hash":"6719222227588196677","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Passive voice | EF United States","meta_descriptions":["Functions of the passive voice The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Functions of the passive voice\nThe passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence.\nTest your knowledge\nExamples\nThe passive voice\nis used\nfrequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.)\nThe house\nwas built\nin 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.)\nThe road\nis being repaired\n. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.)\nSometimes we use the passive voice because we don't know or do not want to express who performed the action.\nExamples\nI noticed that a window\nhad been left\nopen.\nEvery year thousands of people\nare killed\non our roads.\nAll the cookies\nhave been eaten\n.\nMy car\nhas been stolen\n!\nThe passive voice is often used in formal texts. Switching to the active voice will make your writing clearer and easier to read.\nPassive\nActive\nA great deal of meaning\nis conveyed\nby a few well-chosen words.\nA few well-chosen words\nconvey\na great deal of meaning.\nOur planet\nis wrapped\nin a mass of gases.\nA mass of gases\nwrap\naround our planet.\nWaste materials\nare disposed\nof in a variety of ways.\nThe city\ndisposes\nof waste materials in a variety of ways.\nIf we want to say who or what performs the action while using the passive voice, we use the preposition\nby\n. When we know who performed the action and are interested in him, it is always better to switch to the active voice instead.\nPassive\nActive\n\"A Hard Day's Night\"\nwas written by\nthe Beatles.\nThe Beatles\nwrote\n\"A Hard Day's Night\".\nThe movie ET\nwas directed by\nSpielberg.\nSpielberg\ndirected\nthe movie ET.\nThis house\nwas built by\nmy father.\nMy father\nbuilt\nthis house.\nRead more about\nthe passive voice and active equivalents\nfor all English verb tenses.\nForming the passive voice\nThe passive voice in English is composed of two elements:\nthe appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + past participle\nAffirmative\nNegative\nInterrogative\nNegative interrogative\nThe house was built in 1899.\nThe house wasn't built in 1899.\nWas the house built in 1899?\nWasn't the house built in 1899?\nThese houses were built in 1899.\nThese houses weren't built in 1899.\nWere these houses built in 1899?\nWeren't these houses built in 1899?\nTo clean, passive voice\nSubject\n+ to be (conjugated)\n+ past participle\n+ rest of sentence\nSimple present\nThe house\nis\ncleaned\nevery day.\nPresent continuous\nThe house\nis being\ncleaned\nat the moment.\nSimple past\nThe house\nwas\ncleaned\nyesterday.\nPast continuous\nThe house\nwas being\ncleaned\nlast week.\nPresent perfect\nThe house\nhas been\ncleaned\nsince you left.\nPast perfect\nThe house\nhad been\ncleaned\nbefore they arrived.\nFuture\nThe house\nwill be\ncleaned\nnext week.\nFuture continuous\nThe house\nwill be being\ncleaned\ntomorrow.\nPresent conditional\nThe house\nwould be\ncleaned\nif they had visitors.\nPast conditional\nThe house\nwould have been\ncleaned\nif it had been dirty.\nInifinitive\nThe house\nmust be\ncleaned\nbefore we arrive.\nPassive voice with infinitives\nThe infinitive passive voice is used after modal verbs and other most verbs normally followed by an infinitive.\nExamples\nYou\nhave to be tested\non your English grammar.\nJohn\nmight be promoted\nnext year.\nShe\nwants to be invited\nto the party.\nI\nexpect to be surprised\non my birthday.\nYou\nmay be disappointed\n.\nPassive voice with gerunds\nGerunds are used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund.\nExamples\nI\nremember being taught\nto drive.\nThe children are excited\nabout being taken\nto the zoo.\nThe children are excited\nto be taken\nto the zoo.\nMost film stars\nhate being interviewed\n.\nMost film stars\nhate to be interviewed\n.\nPoodles\nlike to be pampered\n.\nPoodles\nlike being pampered\n.\nUsing \"to be born\"\n\"To be born\" is a passive form and is most commonly used in the past tense. However, in some cases, the present or future tense is appropriate.\nExamples\nI\nwas born\nin 1976.\nWhere \nwere you born\n?\nAround 100 babies\nare born\nin this hospital every week.\nWe don't know on exactly which day the baby\nwill be born\n.\nSometimes the passive is formed using the verb\nto get\nor\nto have\ninstead of the verb\nto be\n. A separate page deals with these\nalternative ways to form the passive voice\n.\nTest your knowledge","attrs_markdown":"[CloseMenu](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/passive-voice\/)\n\n[1-800-457-1300](tel:18004571300)\n\n- [Home Welcome to EF](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/)\n- [Programs See everything we do](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/overview\/%20)\n- [Offices Find an office near you](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/contact\/)\n- [About us Who we are](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/about-us\/)\n- [Careers Join the team](https:\/\/careers.ef.com\/)\n\n- [HomeWelcome to EF](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/)\n- [ProgramsSee everything we do](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/overview\/%20)\n- [OfficesFind an office near you](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/contact\/)\n- [About usWho we are](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/about-us\/)\n- [CareersJoin the team](https:\/\/careers.ef.com\/)\n\n- [Test your English](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/test\/english\/)\n\n[Resources for learning English](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/)\n\nBack\n\n[Test your English](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/test\/english\/)\n\n- [Overview](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/)\n- English Grammar\n  \n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/)\n  - [Adjectives](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/adjectives\/)\n  - [Adverbs](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/adverbs\/)\n  - [Determiners](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/determiners\/)\n  - [Nouns](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/nouns\/)\n  - [Relative clauses](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/relative-clauses\/)\n  - [Speech](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/speech\/)\n  - [Verbs](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/verbs\/)\n- English Usage\n  \n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-usage\/)\n  - [English idioms](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-idioms\/)\n  - [English names](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-names\/)\n  - [English Quotes](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-quotes\/)\n  - [English vocabulary lists](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-vocabulary\/)\n  - [Tongue twisters in English](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/tongue-twisters-english\/)\n  - [Punctuation](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/punctuation\/)\n\n# Passive voice\n### Functions of the passive voice\nThe passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence.\n\n[Test your knowledge](https:\/\/go.hello.ef.com\/grammar\/passive-voice)\n\n##### Examples\n- The passive voice **is used** frequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.)\n- The house **was built** in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.)\n- The road **is being repaired**. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.)\n\nSometimes we use the passive voice because we don't know or do not want to express who performed the action.\n\n##### Examples\n- I noticed that a window **had been left** open.\n- Every year thousands of people **are killed** on our roads.\n- All the cookies **have been eaten**.\n- My car **has been stolen**\\!\n\nThe passive voice is often used in formal texts. Switching to the active voice will make your writing clearer and easier to read.\n\n| Passive | Active |\n|---|---|\n| A great deal of meaning **is conveyed** by a few well-chosen words. | A few well-chosen words **convey** a great deal of meaning. |\n| Our planet **is wrapped** in a mass of gases. | A mass of gases **wrap** around our planet. |\n| Waste materials **are disposed** of in a variety of ways. | The city **disposes** of waste materials in a variety of ways. |\n\nIf we want to say who or what performs the action while using the passive voice, we use the preposition *by*. When we know who performed the action and are interested in him, it is always better to switch to the active voice instead.\n\n| Passive | Active |\n|---|---|\n| \"A Hard Day's Night\" **was written by** the Beatles. | The Beatles **wrote** \"A Hard Day's Night\". |\n| The movie ET **was directed by** Spielberg. | Spielberg **directed** the movie ET. |\n| This house **was built by** my father. | My father **built** this house. |\n\nRead more about [the passive voice and active equivalents](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/passive-voice-active-voice\/) for all English verb tenses.\n\n### Forming the passive voice\nThe passive voice in English is composed of two elements:  \n**the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + past participle**\n\n| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative | Negative interrogative |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| The house was built in 1899. | The house wasn't built in 1899. | Was the house built in 1899? | Wasn't the house built in 1899? |\n| These houses were built in 1899. | These houses weren't built in 1899. | Were these houses built in 1899? | Weren't these houses built in 1899? |\n\n##### To clean, passive voice\n| Subject | \\+ to be (conjugated) | \\+ past participle | \\+ rest of sentence |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| **Simple present** |   |   |   |\n| The house | is | cleaned | every day. |\n| **Present continuous** |   |   |   |\n| The house | is being | cleaned | at the moment. |\n| **Simple past** |   |   |   |\n| The house | was | cleaned | yesterday. |\n| **Past continuous** |   |   |   |\n| The house | was being | cleaned | last week. |\n| **Present perfect** |   |   |   |\n| The house | has been | cleaned | since you left. |\n| **Past perfect** |   |   |   |\n| The house | had been | cleaned | before they arrived. |\n| **Future** |   |   |   |\n| The house | will be | cleaned | next week. |\n| **Future continuous** |   |   |   |\n| The house | will be being | cleaned | tomorrow. |\n| **Present conditional** |   |   |   |\n| The house | would be | cleaned | if they had visitors. |\n| **Past conditional** |   |   |   |\n| The house | would have been | cleaned | if it had been dirty. |\n| **Inifinitive** |   |   |   |\n| The house | must be | cleaned | before we arrive. |\n###### Passive voice with infinitives\nThe infinitive passive voice is used after modal verbs and other most verbs normally followed by an infinitive.\n\n##### Examples\n- You **have to be tested** on your English grammar.\n- John **might be promoted** next year.\n- She **wants to be invited** to the party.\n- I **expect to be surprised** on my birthday.\n- You **may be disappointed**.\n###### Passive voice with gerunds\nGerunds are used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund.\n\n##### Examples\n- I **remember being taught** to drive.\n- The children are excited **about being taken** to the zoo.\n- The children are excited **to be taken** to the zoo.\n- Most film stars **hate being interviewed**.\n- Most film stars **hate to be interviewed**.\n- Poodles **like to be pampered**.\n- Poodles **like being pampered**.\n###### Using \"to be born\"\n\"To be born\" is a passive form and is most commonly used in the past tense. However, in some cases, the present or future tense is appropriate.\n\n##### Examples\n- I **was born** in 1976.\n- Where **were you born**?\n- Around 100 babies **are born** in this hospital every week.\n- We don't know on exactly which day the baby **will be born**.\n\nSometimes the passive is formed using the verb *to get* or *to have* instead of the verb *to be*. A separate page deals with these [alternative ways to form the passive voice](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/alternative-ways-form-passive-voice\/).\n\n[Test your knowledge](https:\/\/go.hello.ef.com\/grammar\/passive-voice)\n\n## Learn English with EF\n[Learn a language abroad Choose from 10 languages in 50 destinations. Programs for high school students, college students and adults 25+. View All Programs](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/pg\/learn-language\/)\n\n[Learn English online Take group or private English lessons from the comfort of your own home and get access to our online English school. 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Español](https:\/\/www.ef.com\/wwes\/recursos-aprender-ingles\/gramatica-inglesa\/voz-pasiva\/)\n- [Global Site \/ Français](https:\/\/www.ef.com\/wwfr\/ressources-anglais\/grammaire-anglaise\/voix-passive\/)\n- [Global Site \/ العربية](https:\/\/www.ef.com\/wwar\/english-help\/english-grammar\/passive-voice\/)\n- [Global Site \/ Português](https:\/\/www.ef.com\/wwpt\/guia-de-ingles\/gramatica-inglesa\/voz-passiva\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"### Functions of the passive voice\nThe passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence.\n\n[Test your knowledge](https:\/\/go.hello.ef.com\/grammar\/passive-voice)\n\n##### Examples\n- The passive voice **is used** frequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.)\n- The house **was built** in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.)\n- The road **is being repaired**. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.)\n\nSometimes we use the passive voice because we don't know or do not want to express who performed the action.\n\n##### Examples\n- I noticed that a window **had been left** open.\n- Every year thousands of people **are killed** on our roads.\n- All the cookies **have been eaten**.\n- My car **has been stolen**\\!\n\nThe passive voice is often used in formal texts. Switching to the active voice will make your writing clearer and easier to read.\n\n| Passive | Active |\n|---|---|\n| A great deal of meaning **is conveyed** by a few well-chosen words. | A few well-chosen words **convey** a great deal of meaning. |\n| Our planet **is wrapped** in a mass of gases. | A mass of gases **wrap** around our planet. |\n| Waste materials **are disposed** of in a variety of ways. | The city **disposes** of waste materials in a variety of ways. |\n\nIf we want to say who or what performs the action while using the passive voice, we use the preposition *by*. When we know who performed the action and are interested in him, it is always better to switch to the active voice instead.\n\n| Passive | Active |\n|---|---|\n| \"A Hard Day's Night\" **was written by** the Beatles. | The Beatles **wrote** \"A Hard Day's Night\". |\n| The movie ET **was directed by** Spielberg. | Spielberg **directed** the movie ET. |\n| This house **was built by** my father. | My father **built** this house. |\n\nRead more about [the passive voice and active equivalents](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/passive-voice-active-voice\/) for all English verb tenses.\n\n### Forming the passive voice\nThe passive voice in English is composed of two elements:  \n**the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + past participle**\n\n| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative | Negative interrogative |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| The house was built in 1899. | The house wasn't built in 1899. | Was the house built in 1899? | Wasn't the house built in 1899? |\n| These houses were built in 1899. | These houses weren't built in 1899. | Were these houses built in 1899? | Weren't these houses built in 1899? |\n\n##### To clean, passive voice\n| Subject | \\+ to be (conjugated) | \\+ past participle | \\+ rest of sentence |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| **Simple present** |   |   |   |\n| The house | is | cleaned | every day. |\n| **Present continuous** |   |   |   |\n| The house | is being | cleaned | at the moment. |\n| **Simple past** |   |   |   |\n| The house | was | cleaned | yesterday. |\n| **Past continuous** |   |   |   |\n| The house | was being | cleaned | last week. |\n| **Present perfect** |   |   |   |\n| The house | has been | cleaned | since you left. |\n| **Past perfect** |   |   |   |\n| The house | had been | cleaned | before they arrived. |\n| **Future** |   |   |   |\n| The house | will be | cleaned | next week. |\n| **Future continuous** |   |   |   |\n| The house | will be being | cleaned | tomorrow. |\n| **Present conditional** |   |   |   |\n| The house | would be | cleaned | if they had visitors. |\n| **Past conditional** |   |   |   |\n| The house | would have been | cleaned | if it had been dirty. |\n| **Inifinitive** |   |   |   |\n| The house | must be | cleaned | before we arrive. |\n###### Passive voice with infinitives\nThe infinitive passive voice is used after modal verbs and other most verbs normally followed by an infinitive.\n\n##### Examples\n- You **have to be tested** on your English grammar.\n- John **might be promoted** next year.\n- She **wants to be invited** to the party.\n- I **expect to be surprised** on my birthday.\n- You **may be disappointed**.\n###### Passive voice with gerunds\nGerunds are used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund.\n\n##### Examples\n- I **remember being taught** to drive.\n- The children are excited **about being taken** to the zoo.\n- The children are excited **to be taken** to the zoo.\n- Most film stars **hate being interviewed**.\n- Most film stars **hate to be interviewed**.\n- Poodles **like to be pampered**.\n- Poodles **like being pampered**.\n###### Using \"to be born\"\n\"To be born\" is a passive form and is most commonly used in the past tense. However, in some cases, the present or future tense is appropriate.\n\n##### Examples\n- I **was born** in 1976.\n- Where **were you born**?\n- Around 100 babies **are born** in this hospital every week.\n- We don't know on exactly which day the baby **will be born**.\n\nSometimes the passive is formed using the verb *to get* or *to have* instead of the verb *to be*. A separate page deals with these [alternative ways to form the passive voice](https:\/\/www.ef.edu\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/alternative-ways-form-passive-voice\/).\n\n[Test your knowledge](https:\/\/go.hello.ef.com\/grammar\/passive-voice)","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Passive voice \| EF United States
Meta Description	Functions of the passive voice The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence.
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Boilerpipe Text	Functions of the passive voice The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence. Test your knowledge Examples The passive voice is used frequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.) The house was built in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.) The road is being repaired . (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.) Sometimes we use the passive voice because we don't know or do not want to express who performed the action. Examples I noticed that a window had been left open. Every year thousands of people are killed on our roads. All the cookies have been eaten . My car has been stolen ! The passive voice is often used in formal texts. Switching to the active voice will make your writing clearer and easier to read. Passive Active A great deal of meaning is conveyed by a few well-chosen words. A few well-chosen words convey a great deal of meaning. Our planet is wrapped in a mass of gases. A mass of gases wrap around our planet. Waste materials are disposed of in a variety of ways. The city disposes of waste materials in a variety of ways. If we want to say who or what performs the action while using the passive voice, we use the preposition by . When we know who performed the action and are interested in him, it is always better to switch to the active voice instead. Passive Active "A Hard Day's Night" was written by the Beatles. The Beatles wrote "A Hard Day's Night". The movie ET was directed by Spielberg. Spielberg directed the movie ET. This house was built by my father. My father built this house. Read more about the passive voice and active equivalents for all English verb tenses. Forming the passive voice The passive voice in English is composed of two elements: the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + past participle Affirmative Negative Interrogative Negative interrogative The house was built in 1899. The house wasn't built in 1899. Was the house built in 1899? Wasn't the house built in 1899? These houses were built in 1899. These houses weren't built in 1899. Were these houses built in 1899? Weren't these houses built in 1899? To clean, passive voice Subject + to be (conjugated) + past participle + rest of sentence Simple present The house is cleaned every day. Present continuous The house is being cleaned at the moment. Simple past The house was cleaned yesterday. Past continuous The house was being cleaned last week. Present perfect The house has been cleaned since you left. Past perfect The house had been cleaned before they arrived. Future The house will be cleaned next week. Future continuous The house will be being cleaned tomorrow. Present conditional The house would be cleaned if they had visitors. Past conditional The house would have been cleaned if it had been dirty. Inifinitive The house must be cleaned before we arrive. Passive voice with infinitives The infinitive passive voice is used after modal verbs and other most verbs normally followed by an infinitive. Examples You have to be tested on your English grammar. John might be promoted next year. She wants to be invited to the party. I expect to be surprised on my birthday. You may be disappointed . Passive voice with gerunds Gerunds are used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund. Examples I remember being taught to drive. The children are excited about being taken to the zoo. The children are excited to be taken to the zoo. Most film stars hate being interviewed . Most film stars hate to be interviewed . Poodles like to be pampered . Poodles like being pampered . Using "to be born" "To be born" is a passive form and is most commonly used in the past tense. However, in some cases, the present or future tense is appropriate. Examples I was born in 1976. Where were you born ? Around 100 babies are born in this hospital every week. We don't know on exactly which day the baby will be born . Sometimes the passive is formed using the verb to get or to have instead of the verb to be . A separate page deals with these alternative ways to form the passive voice . Test your knowledge
Markdown	[CloseMenu](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/passive-voice/) [1-800-457-1300](tel:18004571300) - [Home Welcome to EF](https://www.ef.edu/) - [Programs See everything we do](https://www.ef.edu/overview/%20) - [Offices Find an office near you](https://www.ef.edu/contact/) - [About us Who we are](https://www.ef.edu/about-us/) - [Careers Join the team](https://careers.ef.com/) - [HomeWelcome to EF](https://www.ef.edu/) - [ProgramsSee everything we do](https://www.ef.edu/overview/%20) - [OfficesFind an office near you](https://www.ef.edu/contact/) - [About usWho we are](https://www.ef.edu/about-us/) - [CareersJoin the team](https://careers.ef.com/) - [Test your English](https://www.ef.edu/test/english/) [Resources for learning English](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/) Back [Test your English](https://www.ef.edu/test/english/) - [Overview](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/) - English Grammar - [Overview](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/) - [Adjectives](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/adjectives/) - [Adverbs](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/adverbs/) - [Determiners](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/determiners/) - [Nouns](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/nouns/) - [Relative clauses](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/relative-clauses/) - [Speech](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/speech/) - [Verbs](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/verbs/) - English Usage - [Overview](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-usage/) - [English idioms](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-idioms/) - [English names](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-names/) - [English Quotes](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-quotes/) - [English vocabulary lists](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-vocabulary/) - [Tongue twisters in English](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/tongue-twisters-english/) - [Punctuation](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/punctuation/) # Passive voice ### Functions of the passive voice The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence. [Test your knowledge](https://go.hello.ef.com/grammar/passive-voice) ##### Examples - The passive voice is used frequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.) - The house was built in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.) - The road is being repaired. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.) Sometimes we use the passive voice because we don't know or do not want to express who performed the action. ##### Examples - I noticed that a window had been left open. - Every year thousands of people are killed on our roads. - All the cookies have been eaten. - My car has been stolen\! The passive voice is often used in formal texts. Switching to the active voice will make your writing clearer and easier to read. \| Passive \| Active \| \|---\|---\| \| A great deal of meaning is conveyed by a few well-chosen words. \| A few well-chosen words convey a great deal of meaning. \| \| Our planet is wrapped in a mass of gases. \| A mass of gases wrap around our planet. \| \| Waste materials are disposed of in a variety of ways. \| The city disposes of waste materials in a variety of ways. \| If we want to say who or what performs the action while using the passive voice, we use the preposition by. When we know who performed the action and are interested in him, it is always better to switch to the active voice instead. \| Passive \| Active \| \|---\|---\| \| "A Hard Day's Night" was written by the Beatles. \| The Beatles wrote "A Hard Day's Night". \| \| The movie ET was directed by Spielberg. \| Spielberg directed the movie ET. \| \| This house was built by my father. \| My father built this house. \| Read more about [the passive voice and active equivalents](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/passive-voice-active-voice/) for all English verb tenses. ### Forming the passive voice The passive voice in English is composed of two elements: the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + past participle \| Affirmative \| Negative \| Interrogative \| Negative interrogative \| \|---\|---\|---\|---\| \| The house was built in 1899. \| The house wasn't built in 1899. \| Was the house built in 1899? \| Wasn't the house built in 1899? \| \| These houses were built in 1899. \| These houses weren't built in 1899. \| Were these houses built in 1899? \| Weren't these houses built in 1899? \| ##### To clean, passive voice \| Subject \| \+ to be (conjugated) \| \+ past participle \| \+ rest of sentence \| \|---\|---\|---\|---\| \| Simple present \| \| \| \| \| The house \| is \| cleaned \| every day. \| \| Present continuous \| \| \| \| \| The house \| is being \| cleaned \| at the moment. \| \| Simple past \| \| \| \| \| The house \| was \| cleaned \| yesterday. \| \| Past continuous \| \| \| \| \| The house \| was being \| cleaned \| last week. \| \| Present perfect \| \| \| \| \| The house \| has been \| cleaned \| since you left. \| \| Past perfect \| \| \| \| \| The house \| had been \| cleaned \| before they arrived. \| \| Future \| \| \| \| \| The house \| will be \| cleaned \| next week. \| \| Future continuous \| \| \| \| \| The house \| will be being \| cleaned \| tomorrow. \| \| Present conditional \| \| \| \| \| The house \| would be \| cleaned \| if they had visitors. \| \| Past conditional \| \| \| \| \| The house \| would have been \| cleaned \| if it had been dirty. \| \| Inifinitive \| \| \| \| \| The house \| must be \| cleaned \| before we arrive. \| ###### Passive voice with infinitives The infinitive passive voice is used after modal verbs and other most verbs normally followed by an infinitive. ##### Examples - You have to be tested on your English grammar. - John might be promoted next year. - She wants to be invited to the party. - I expect to be surprised on my birthday. - You may be disappointed. ###### Passive voice with gerunds Gerunds are used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund. ##### Examples - I remember being taught to drive. - The children are excited about being taken to the zoo. - The children are excited to be taken to the zoo. - Most film stars hate being interviewed. - Most film stars hate to be interviewed. - Poodles like to be pampered. - Poodles like being pampered. ###### Using "to be born" "To be born" is a passive form and is most commonly used in the past tense. However, in some cases, the present or future tense is appropriate. ##### Examples - I was born in 1976. - Where were you born? - Around 100 babies are born in this hospital every week. - We don't know on exactly which day the baby will be born. Sometimes the passive is formed using the verb to get or to have instead of the verb to be. A separate page deals with these [alternative ways to form the passive voice](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/alternative-ways-form-passive-voice/). [Test your knowledge](https://go.hello.ef.com/grammar/passive-voice) ## Learn English with EF [Learn a language abroad Choose from 10 languages in 50 destinations. Programs for high school students, college students and adults 25+. View All Programs](https://www.ef.edu/pg/learn-language/) [Learn English online Take group or private English lessons from the comfort of your own home and get access to our online English school. 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Readable Markdown	### Functions of the passive voice The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence. [Test your knowledge](https://go.hello.ef.com/grammar/passive-voice) ##### Examples - The passive voice is used frequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.) - The house was built in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.) - The road is being repaired. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.) Sometimes we use the passive voice because we don't know or do not want to express who performed the action. ##### Examples - I noticed that a window had been left open. - Every year thousands of people are killed on our roads. - All the cookies have been eaten. - My car has been stolen\! The passive voice is often used in formal texts. Switching to the active voice will make your writing clearer and easier to read. \| Passive \| Active \| \|---\|---\| \| A great deal of meaning is conveyed by a few well-chosen words. \| A few well-chosen words convey a great deal of meaning. \| \| Our planet is wrapped in a mass of gases. \| A mass of gases wrap around our planet. \| \| Waste materials are disposed of in a variety of ways. \| The city disposes of waste materials in a variety of ways. \| If we want to say who or what performs the action while using the passive voice, we use the preposition by. When we know who performed the action and are interested in him, it is always better to switch to the active voice instead. \| Passive \| Active \| \|---\|---\| \| "A Hard Day's Night" was written by the Beatles. \| The Beatles wrote "A Hard Day's Night". \| \| The movie ET was directed by Spielberg. \| Spielberg directed the movie ET. \| \| This house was built by my father. \| My father built this house. \| Read more about [the passive voice and active equivalents](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/passive-voice-active-voice/) for all English verb tenses. ### Forming the passive voice The passive voice in English is composed of two elements: the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + past participle \| Affirmative \| Negative \| Interrogative \| Negative interrogative \| \|---\|---\|---\|---\| \| The house was built in 1899. \| The house wasn't built in 1899. \| Was the house built in 1899? \| Wasn't the house built in 1899? \| \| These houses were built in 1899. \| These houses weren't built in 1899. \| Were these houses built in 1899? \| Weren't these houses built in 1899? \| ##### To clean, passive voice \| Subject \| \+ to be (conjugated) \| \+ past participle \| \+ rest of sentence \| \|---\|---\|---\|---\| \| Simple present \| \| \| \| \| The house \| is \| cleaned \| every day. \| \| Present continuous \| \| \| \| \| The house \| is being \| cleaned \| at the moment. \| \| Simple past \| \| \| \| \| The house \| was \| cleaned \| yesterday. \| \| Past continuous \| \| \| \| \| The house \| was being \| cleaned \| last week. \| \| Present perfect \| \| \| \| \| The house \| has been \| cleaned \| since you left. \| \| Past perfect \| \| \| \| \| The house \| had been \| cleaned \| before they arrived. \| \| Future \| \| \| \| \| The house \| will be \| cleaned \| next week. \| \| Future continuous \| \| \| \| \| The house \| will be being \| cleaned \| tomorrow. \| \| Present conditional \| \| \| \| \| The house \| would be \| cleaned \| if they had visitors. \| \| Past conditional \| \| \| \| \| The house \| would have been \| cleaned \| if it had been dirty. \| \| Inifinitive \| \| \| \| \| The house \| must be \| cleaned \| before we arrive. \| ###### Passive voice with infinitives The infinitive passive voice is used after modal verbs and other most verbs normally followed by an infinitive. ##### Examples - You have to be tested on your English grammar. - John might be promoted next year. - She wants to be invited to the party. - I expect to be surprised on my birthday. - You may be disappointed. ###### Passive voice with gerunds Gerunds are used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund. ##### Examples - I remember being taught to drive. - The children are excited about being taken to the zoo. - The children are excited to be taken to the zoo. - Most film stars hate being interviewed. - Most film stars hate to be interviewed. - Poodles like to be pampered. - Poodles like being pampered. ###### Using "to be born" "To be born" is a passive form and is most commonly used in the past tense. However, in some cases, the present or future tense is appropriate. ##### Examples - I was born in 1976. - Where were you born? - Around 100 babies are born in this hospital every week. - We don't know on exactly which day the baby will be born. Sometimes the passive is formed using the verb to get or to have instead of the verb to be. A separate page deals with these [alternative ways to form the passive voice](https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/alternative-ways-form-passive-voice/). [Test your knowledge](https://go.hello.ef.com/grammar/passive-voice)
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