"Passive voice" means that something is done by someone. Compare the two sentences... 1. "The boy caught the ball." vs "The ball was caught by the boy." 2. "The people saw me in the store." vs "I was seen in the store by the people." The main difference between active voice and passive voice is that in active voice, someone DOES something while in passive voice, something IS DONE BY someone. (The subject is not doing the action. In the passive sentences, the subjects are actually the boy and the people, and you can see this in the active voice sentences.) Also notice that the verb is always something like "was caught" or "was asked" or "was seen" (past participle form). 1. Applications ...(invite) for the post of Senior Lecture. Preference ...(give) to applicants with teaching experience. Applications... (invite) for the post of Senior Lecture. --> Applications are for people that (were invited) for the post of Senior Lecture. Preference... (give) to applicants with teaching experience. --> Preference (is given) to applicants with teaching experience. [With passive voice, you can also use "is" in the passive phrase (like "is given") even though the verb is in the past participle form.] 2. The theatre company ...(give) a grant of 6000 pounds and a further 2000 pounds... (now seek) from elsewhere The theatre company... (give) a grant of 6000 pounds and a further 2000 pounds... (now seek) from elsewhere. --> The theatre company (was given) a grant of 6000 pounds and a further 2000 pounds (is being sought) from elsewhere. ["Is being sought" means that the company is now seeking 2000 more pounds.] 3. We gave the first scheme our approval. -> Rewrite:? We gave the first scheme our approval. --> The first scheme (was given) our approval. Can also be: The first scheme (was given) approval by us. 4. It is considered that his speech was one of the best -> Rewrite:? It is considered that his speech was one of the best. --> His speech (was considered) one of the best.

1. Applications ...(invite) for the post of Senior Lecture. Preference ...(give) to applicants with teaching experience. Applications are invited for the post of Senior Lecturer. Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience. 2. The theatre company ...(give) a grant of 6000 pounds and a further 2000 pounds... (now seek) from elsewhere 2. The theatre company was given a grant of 6000 pounds, and a further 2000 pounds is now sought from elsewhere. 3. We gave the first scheme our approval. -> Rewrite:? This is okay, but if you want it in the passive voice, it would be "The first scheme was given our approval". 4. It is considered that his speech was one of the best -> Rewrite:? Okay - or, "His speech was considered one of the best'.