GrammarUnit 8_Listening & Speaking_Passive Modals.pdf

Passive Voice, Modals, Grammar Unit 8

1. Modal Passives
Listeningand Speaking
Unit#8

2. The Passive Voice
•Active and passivevoicesare usedin Englishto
expressactions.
•Whilein theactive voicethesubjectisthedoer, in
thepassive, thesubjectreceivestheeffectsof the
action. Thus, onlytransitiveverbs(thosethattake
a directobject) can undergothepassive
transformation.

3. •Active:My parents will place two solar panels on the roof.
subject verb direct object
•Passive:Two solar panels will be placed by my parents on the roof.
subject verb agent
In the sentence in the active voice, the primary focus is on the
subject (the agent or doer of the action). In the passive
voice, the focus is on the objectof the sentence.

4. •No part at all of the verb form in the active
sentence can be deleted in the corresponding
passive one. Therefore, the modal auxiliary
and the main verb (in its past participle
form)plus the verb bewill appear in the pasive
one.
•Although there is a change in word order—and
sometimes new elements—the passive sentence
always preserves the meaning of the active
sentence, and what really occurs is just a change
in emphasis.

5. When to Use the Passive Voice
•To signal that the performer is unknown.
The investigation will be carried on in
Germany.
•To hint that the “doer” is a general group.
The meeting should be held in the
conference room.

6. •Toavoidmentioningtheperformerof theaction.
Theconcertcouldbe giveninsidethe
cathedral.
•Toplace emphasisonthereceiver ratherthanonthe
performerof theaction.
Thethiefmustbe putin jailbythe
policeman.
•Todescribe a scientificexperimentorprocess.
Theplantsmustbe labeledforfurther
research.

7. ThePassiveVoicewithModal
Auxiliaries
Person/
object
+
can
could
may
might
should
must
+ be +
past
participleof
verb

8. •To form the passive voice of modal auxiliaries,
use modal + be + past participle.
•Note that modal auxiliaries have the same
functions in the passive voice as they do in the
active.
Active Passive
Modal Passives
We should build more wind
turbines.
More wind turbines should
be built.
The government must create
laws to protect the
environment.
Laws to protect the
environment must be
created.
Scientists will perfect the
necessary technology soon.
The necessary technology
will be perfected soon.

9. Use the words within parentheses to complete the paragraph.
On a safari, various guidelines (1. should /follow)to ensure both
safety and respect for the environment. Animals (2. may / observe)up
close, but they (3. must/not/ disturb). Vehicles (4. might /require)
to stay on designated paths to avoid damaging the landscape. Photographs
(5. can /take), but flash photography (6. should / not / use)as it could
startle the wildlife. In some areas, visitors (7. have to /accompany)by a
guide to prevent accidents. While certain rules (8. may /consider)
restrictive, they are designed to ensure that future generations can enjoy
these experiences as well.

10. Use the words within parentheses to complete the
paragraph.
On a safari, various guidelines should be followed to ensure both safety
and respect for the environment. Animals may be observed up close,
but they must not be disturbed. Vehicles might be required to stay
on designated paths to avoid damaging the landscape. Photographs can
be taken, but flash photography should not be used as it could startle
the wildlife. In some areas, visitors have tobe accompanied by a guide
to prevent accidents. While certain rules may beconsideredrestrictive,
they are designed to ensure that future generations can enjoy these
experiences as well.