IL PASSIVO

Definizione Si usa la forma passiva quando il soggetto subisce l’azione invece di compierla. La frase attiva viene invertita e il complemento oggetto diventa il soggetto della frase: They always ask permission. (frase attiva) Permission is always asked. (frase passiva)

Come si forma VERBO ESSERE (AL TEMPO RICHIESTO) + PARTICIPIO PASSATO DEL VERBO PRINCIPALE AFFERMATIVA The bread is made fresh every morning. INTERROGATIVA Is the bread made fresh every morning? NEGATIVA The bread isn’t made fresh every mornng. INTERROGATIVA-NEGATIVA Isn’t the bread made fresh every morning?

Come si forma nei diversi tempi ACTIVE (Present simple) They make it in Italy. (Present continuous) He is writing a book. (Future simple) They will send him an invitation. (Past simple) Somebody murdered him. (Going to) They are going to send a letter. (Past continuous) They were building a road. (Past perfect) They had called her. (Present prefect) They have called a technician. (Modal) They might hold a meeting. PASSIVE It is made in Italy. A book is being written. He will be sent an invitation. He was murdered. A letter is going to be sent. A road was being built. She had been called. A technician has been called. A meeting might be held.

L’enfasi è sull’informazione. Quando si usa -1 Per evidenziare un fatto o informazioni importanti: Further information will be given later! ⇩ L’enfasi è sull’informazione.

⇩ Quando si usa -2 Quando chi ha compiuto l’azione è sconosciuto: The car was stolen yesterday. ⇩ Non si sa chi l’abbia rubata.

Quando si usa -3 Chi compie l’azione non si menziona a meno che non sia considerato importante: The car is being repaired. ⇩ È ovviamente il meccanico.

A lot of damage was caused by high winds. Quando si usa -4 Se occorre specificare chi compie l’azione si deve usare by: A lot of damage was caused by high winds. ⇩ Chi ha causato il danno.

Quando si usa -5 Per dare disposizioni, istruzioni ed esprimere divieti: Fishing is not allowed. ⇩ Non è permesso.

Altre forme In frasi con think, consider, believe, say, report, know, find, ci sono due forme passive possibili: (active) People think he is writing a book. (passive 1) It is thought that he is writing a book. (passive 2) He is thought to be writing a book. (active) People say that he is brilliant. (passive 1) It is said that he is brilliant. (passive 2) He is said to be brilliant.

Per esercitarsi Inserisci la forma e tempo appropriato del passivo. He………………….about the meeting. (not tell) ……..…the class room…….………..…? (paint) He…………..……………a gift tomorrow. (give) A new school……..…………….at the moment. (build) The children……………to bed early last night. (send) The chocolate…………………….! It’s finished! (eat) The house………..………..every day. (clean) She…………….copying during the test yesterday. (catch)

IT’S TELLY TIME!

Mettiti alla prova! Cerca di riconoscere il passivo in un contesto reale! BBC Earth - Attenborough: the amazing Lyre Bird sings like a chainsaw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSB71jNq-yQ