Practice English in Mylot

Friday, November 11, 2011

Skill 37: Use the correct form of the passive

One way that the passive can be tested on the TOEFL test is simply with an incorrect form of the passive. The following are examples of passive errors that might appear on the TOEFL test:

The portrait was painting by a famous artist.
The project will finished by Tim.

In the first example, the passive is formed incorrectly because the past participle painted should be used rather than the present participle painting. In the second example, the verb be has not been included, and some form of be is necessary for a passive verb. The verb in the second sentence should be will be finished.

THE FORM OF THE PASSIVE

be + past participle (by + object)

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