Passive Voice in Different Tenses

Study Notes

Present Simple:
- Active: Someone cleans the floor.
- Passive: The floor is cleaned.
Present Continuous:
- Active: They are building a new house.
- Passive: A new house is being built.
Present Perfect:
- Active: She has written three books.
- Passive: Three books have been written.
Past Simple:
- Active: They built the house.
- Passive: The house was built.
Past Perfect:
- Active: They had cooked dinner.
- Passive: Dinner had been cooked.
Future Simple:
- Active: They will finish the project.
- Passive: The project will be finished.
Future Perfect:
- Active: They will have finished the project.
- Passive: The project will have been finished.

Subject + Verb (in correct tense) + Past Participle:
- The window is broken. (Present Simple)
- The play was written. (Past Simple)
By + Agent (optional):
- The play was written by Shakespeare. (Agent mentioned)
- The play was written. (Agent not mentioned)

Must:
- Expresses strong obligation or necessity.
- Often used in formal or official contexts.
- Example: You must attend the meeting.
Have to:
- Expresses strong obligation or necessity.
- Often used in informal contexts.
- Example: I have to finish this project by Friday.
Should:
- Expresses mild obligation or recommendation.
- Often used in giving advice.
- Example: You should try this new restaurant.
Ought to:
- Expresses mild obligation or recommendation.
- Less commonly used than should.
- Example: You ought to visit Paris at least once.

Present Simple: Someone performs the action, and the focus is on the receiver of the action (e.g., The floor is cleaned)
Present Continuous: An action is in progress, and the focus is on the receiver of the action (e.g., A new house is being built)
Present Perfect: An action started in the past and continues up to the present, and the focus is on the receiver of the action (e.g., Three books have been written)
Past Simple: An action was completed in the past, and the focus is on the receiver of the action (e.g., The house was built)
Past Perfect: An action was completed before another action in the past, and the focus is on the receiver of the action (e.g., Dinner had been cooked)
Future Simple: An action will be performed in the future, and the focus is on the receiver of the action (e.g., The project will be finished)
Future Perfect: An action will be completed at a specific point in the future, and the focus is on the receiver of the action (e.g., The project will have been finished)

Basic Structure: Subject + Verb (in correct tense) + Past Participle (e.g., The window is broken)
Adding the Agent: By + Agent (optional) (e.g., The play was written by Shakespeare)
Omitting the Agent: The play was written

Must: Strong obligation or necessity, often used in formal or official contexts (e.g., You must attend the meeting)
Have to: Strong obligation or necessity, often used in informal contexts (e.g., I have to finish this project by Friday)
Should: Mild obligation or recommendation, often used in giving advice (e.g., You should try this new restaurant)
Ought to: Mild obligation or recommendation, less commonly used than should (e.g., You ought to visit Paris at least once)