Passive Past Perfect Tense with Examples

Let us learn passive past perfect tense with definitions, rules and Examples. Firstly, the past perfect tense in English is used to describe actions that were completed before another action in the past.

When transformed into the passive voice, the past perfect tense emphasizes the action itself rather than the subject performing the action. This guide will help you understand how to form and use the passive past perfect tense effectively, along with examples for clarity.

Formation of Passive Past Perfect Tense

To form the passive past perfect tense, follow this structure:

Subject + had + been + past participle of the main verb

Subject: The focus of the sentence, often the recipient of the action.
Had: The auxiliary verb indicating past perfect tense.
Been: The past participle of “be,” used in all passive constructions.
Past Participle: The main verb in its past participle form, indicating the completed action.

When to Use Passive Past Perfect Tense

Use the passive past perfect tense when:

Emphasizing the Action: When the action itself is more important than who performed it.
Unknown Subject: When the subject performing the action is unknown or irrelevant.
Formal Writing: Passive constructions often appear in formal writing to create an impersonal tone.

Examples of Passive Past Perfect Tense

Let’s explore examples to illustrate how the passive past perfect tense is used in different contexts.

1. Emphasizing the Action

Active Voice: By the time the manager arrived, the team had completed the project.

Passive Voice: By the time the manager arrived, the project had been completed by the team.

In the passive voice, the focus shifts from the team to the project, highlighting the completion of the project itself.

2. Unknown Subject

Active Voice: Someone had left the door open before the meeting started.

Passive Voice: The door had been left open before the meeting started.

Here, the passive voice eliminates the unknown subject (someone) and emphasizes the state of the door being open.

3. Formal Writing

Active Voice: The researchers had discovered a new species before the expedition ended.

Passive Voice: A new species had been discovered before the expedition ended.

In formal writing, the passive voice creates a more objective tone, focusing on the discovery rather than the researchers.

Detailed Examples and Contexts

To deepen your understanding, here are more detailed examples with context:

Historical Events

Active Voice: Historians had recorded the event long before it was fully understood.

Passive Voice: The event had been recorded long before it was fully understood.

In historical writing, the passive voice often highlights the events themselves rather than the actions of the historians.

Scientific Research

Active Voice: Scientists had developed the vaccine before the outbreak was controlled.

Passive Voice: The vaccine had been developed before the outbreak was controlled.

In scientific writing, the focus on the vaccine’s development rather than the scientists’ actions is often more relevant.

Personal Experiences

Active Voice: The technician had fixed the computer by the time we returned.

Passive Voice: The computer had been fixed by the time we returned.

In this context, the passive voice emphasizes the state of the computer rather than the technician’s action.

Literature

Active Voice: The author had written the novel before the war began.

Passive Voice: The novel had been written before the war began.

In literary analysis, the passive voice can emphasize the completion of the work over the author’s actions.

Formulating Sentences in Passive Past Perfect Tense

To practice forming sentences in the passive past perfect tense, follow these steps:

Identify the Object: Find the object in the active sentence that will become the subject in the passive sentence.
Convert the Verb: Change the main verb to its past participle form.
Insert “Had Been”: Add “had been” before the past participle.
Adjust the Subject: The original subject of the active sentence can be included with “by” or omitted if not needed.

Example Practice:

Active: The committee had approved the proposal before the deadline.
Passive: The proposal had been approved by the committee before the deadline.

Active: She had completed the assignment before the teacher asked for it.

Passive: The assignment had been completed before the teacher asked for it.

Common Mistakes and Tips

Avoid Overuse: While the passive voice is useful, overusing it can make writing seem impersonal and indirect. Balance passive constructions with active ones for clarity and engagement.
Ensure Clarity: Make sure the passive sentence retains the original meaning and is clear to the reader.
Context Matters: Use the passive voice appropriately based on the context and purpose of your writing.

Conclusion

The passive past perfect tense is a valuable tool in English grammar, allowing writers to emphasize actions and outcomes rather than the subjects performing them. By understanding its formation and appropriate use, you can enhance the clarity and formality of your writing.

Practice with the examples provided to master this tense and apply it effectively in various contexts.

You should also learn: