Passive Voice — All Tenses

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

In 1997, 192 countries signed the Kyoto Protocol — the first agreement in which specific emissions targets were set for industrialised nations. By 2012, those targets had been exceeded by several signatories. Almost every promise in Paris is written without an agent.

Grammar Reference · Passive Voice — All Tenses

Present perfect

The targets have been exceeded by several countries. — action before now, result matters

Modal passive

Funds must be provided by all signatories. — obligation without naming the agent

Future passive (will)

Industries will be phased out by 2040. — planned future action, agent optional

Common error

The law is been passed. ✗ → The law is being passed. ✓ — use being for continuous

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Passive Voice — All Tenses

1.New biodiversity targets at the Kunming summit in 2022.

2.Carbon-intensive industries by 2040 under the new proposal.

3.The agreement by fewer than 30 countries so far.

4.A binding commitment before the summit ends.

5.Updated emissions plans by scientists as insufficient.

6.The net zero target by at least five years, according to the report.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.They are negotiating new emissions rules right now.

2.All governments must reduce carbon output immediately.

3.Scientists have already exceeded the original target.

4.Countries will phase out coal by 2035.

5.The committee should ratify the agreement before December.

6.Engineers are currently testing a carbon capture system.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

Passive Voice — All Tenses01EnglishPlans.com