Grammar：Passive voice
【明報專訊】The Smarties are jogging by the bay. Bill notices an illegal dumping incident and they plan to report the crime to the government.
MoMo: The weather is wonderful today. Look at this fascinating sea view. I can feel the warm breeze blowing gently on my face. Hang on, what is this smell?
Bill: Look! Someone is dumping industrial waste into the sea! No wonder the rivers and lakes nearby are smelly!
MoMo: Industrial waste is hazardous. (1)The water will be contaminated. (2)This incident should be swiftly reported to the government!
Bill: Wait, he is leaving. Should we record it first?
MoMo: Absolutely. (3) Evidence is needed. Without evidence, the government officials will not be able to follow up on this incident.
Bill: (4) My phone was broken by my friends last week. Do you have your phone with you?
MoMo: Sure. I will shoot a video. Illegal dumping is a serious crime that must be stopped.◆
The passive voice is used to change the focus of the sentence. By using the passive voice, we can place emphasis on the object or the person that experiences the action.
e.g. This book was published in 2019.
The man was brought to the police station for further interrogation.
■Gear up
Rewrite the sentences below into passive voice.
(1) The kids dropped the phone into water.
_______________________________________
(2) The government will demolish the village.
_______________________________________
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
illegal (adj) 違法的
hazardous (adj) 有害的
contaminate (v) 污染
evidence (n) 證據
[Smarties' Power English 第282期]
Story：Work hard, play hard
【明報專訊】MR PLAYER indulged himself in all kinds of sensuous pleasures. H... 詳情
