Drafting

Examples:

Many accidents are caused by drunk drivers in the U.S.A.

• Are caused, which is the passive verb, describes the action that happens to the subject accidents.

Africa was visited by many FSC students last summer.

• Africa, the subject of the sentence, receives the action was visited. The agents, many FSC students, appears in a preposition phrase.

This apartment has been occupied by Eric for three years.

• The passive voice in this sentence emphasizes the apartment, which is the subject of the sentence, rather than the occupant, Eric.

Examples:

Simple Present
Equality for all is guaranteed by the Constitution.

Present Progressive
Steps are being taken by many politicians to enforce the Constitution.

Present Perfect
The principles of the Constitution have been upheld by the Supreme Court many times.

Simple Past
A constitutional right was violated by racially segregated school systems.

Past Progressive
Many black civil rights were being violating by southern police during the early 1930s.

Past Perfect
By 1960, school segregation had been made illegal.

Simple Future
Our country will be served by the Constitution for many years to come.

Future Perfect
By the time our children are grown, they will have been taught many lessons about the Constitution.

Future Progressive
The values of the Constitution will be being explained by teachers for generations.