ACTIVE PASSIVE
Mary writes poems. Poems
are written by Mary.
Mary is writing poems. Poems are being written by Mary.
Mary wrote poems. Poems
were written by Mary.
Mary was writing poems. Poems were being written by Mary.
Mary will write poems. Poems will be written by Mary.
Mary is going to write poems. Poems are going to be written by Mary.
Mary can write poems. Poems
can be written by Mary.
Mary should write poems. Poems should be written by Mary.
When to use the passive
* When the object of an active sentence is
more important than the subject. If you say “Frank O. Gehry designed
the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao”, you are more interested in what Frank O.
Gehry did; he is the important part of what you want to say. Now if you
say, “The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was designed by Frank O. Gehry”,
the main focus is on the museum.
* When we don’t know who performed
the action. Three banks were robbed last week.
* When it is preferable not to
mention the performer.
1. In which country is the traditional musical wedding march called the “Zaffa”
performed? Egypt. They have
traditional Egyptian music, belly dancers, drum horns and performers with
flaming swords. Egyptians also believe that the ring finger has the “vein
amoris”, the vein of love, which runs straight to the heart.
2.
How long does a traditional Moroccan
wedding ceremony usually last? Four to
seven days. After the couple say their vows, and before the new bride can
become the mistress of her new home, she must walk around her house three
times.
3.
What color signifies happiness when used
in a wedding in China? Red. Red
signifies love, joy and prosperity and is used in several different ways in
Chinese wedding traditions. The homes of both the bride and groom are usually
decorated in red on their wedding day.
4.
In what country is the bride-to-be
painted in pure white from head to toe? Japan.
This is done to show the bride's maiden status to the gods.
5.
What color is it custom for an Israeli
bride to wear with her wedding dress? Blue.
This custom originated in ancient Israel. The bride would wear a blue ribbon to
symbolize her fidelity.
6.
In what country might the friends of the
bride plant a tree in her yard and decorate it with ribbons and painted
eggshells? Czech Republic. According
to legend it is believed that the bride would live as long as the tree. The
night before her wedding her friends also give the bride a crown of rosemary to
represent wisdom, love, loyalty, and remembrance.
7.
In which country are church weddings not
considered official? Russia. Couples
wanting to get married must exchange vows at a Russian marriage civil ceremony.
The bride and groom are given bread and salt to symbolize health, prosperity,
and long life.
8.
The custom of the bride wearing a white
wedding gown began in which country? France.
This tradition began several hundred years ago. The French also started the
tradition of the hope chest.
9.
In ancient times brides from which
country wore wedding veils of yellow or red which represented fire? Greece. These colorful veils were
supposed to ward off evil spirits and demons.
10.
In early American weddings what
accessory would brides wear with their wedding gowns? Gloves. The gloves were symbols of modesty and romance. Take the
‘g’ away and you have a ‘pair of loves’.
11.
In which of the following would a priest
performing the wedding ceremony bless a plate of coins and give them to the
groom? Puerto Rico. After the couple
exchanges vows the groom give the plate of coins to his bride, which she keeps
as a present from her husband. The coins represent good luck and prosperity for
the newlyweds.
12.
In which country does the mother of the
groom and the father of the bride escort the couple down the aisle and stand
next to them during the ceremony? Argentina.
Bridesmaids, a maid of honor, or a best man are not part of a traditional
wedding in Argentina.
13.
What is placed on top of a wedding cake
in Bermuda? A tiny sapling. After
the wedding, the newlyweds plant the young tree and watch it grow as their
marriage grows.
14. In which country is it a custom to build an arch of pine branches in
front of the bride’s family home? Denmark.
This arch is called the Gate of Honor. When a couple celebrates their silver
anniversary another Gate of Honor is built.
15. In which country might you find a piñata hanging from the ceiling? Mexico. It is usually shaped as a heart or an animal. Children swat at the piñata and the treats are shared by all the guests.
