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Level 3: Intermediate >> Grammar Structure >> Overview of the formation rules for the past simple passive.

Past Simple – Passive

The passive is used when the object of a sentence is more important than the subject.

Compare:

James Cameron directed Titanic (Active)

Titanic was directed by James Cameron (Passive)

To form the past passive we use ‘To Be’ (past) + past participle

1. 1937 \ ballpoint pen \ invent

2. hospital \ open \ The Queen \ last week

3. car \ steal \ 22.00 last night

4. you \ see \ with another woman!

5. what time \ he \ attack?

6. we \ meet \ at the airport \ tour guide

7. they \ marry \ vicar dressed like Elvis Presley

8. in 2000 \ Ferrari \ Schumacher and Barichello

9. Poland \ invade \ 1939