ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE

Look at the example below :

• 
  Somebody built that school in 1896.
• 
  That school was built in 1896.
  
  

This is a passive construction. It is used when a fact is more important than who performed its actions.
Shakespeare wrote "Hamlet". He also wrote many other plays. (Active voice = The focus is on Shakespeare)
"Hamlet" was written by Shakespeare. It is one if his most successful plays. (Passive voice = The focus is on "Hamlet", not on Shakespeare)

Only transitive verbs (verbs that can take an object) can be used in the passive.

• 
  Somebody is decorating my house.
• 
  My house is being decorated.

• 
  We stayed in a big hotel.
• 
  The passive voice is not possible.

Let's see some examples :

• 
  Christopher Columbus Discovered America in 1492.
• 
  America was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

• 
  Somebody gave a concert in Valencia theatre.
• 
  A concert was given in Valencia theatre.

• 
  It is a pity the goal keeper didn't catch the ball.
• 
  It is a pity the ball was not caught by the goal keeper.

• 
  No one invited Nancy to the party.
• 
  Nancy was not invited to the party.

• 
  I slept early last night.
• 
  Impossible.

• 
  That guitar belongs to Diana.
• 
  Impossible.

• 
  The film began late.
• 
  Impossible.