Passive - Use

We only use the passive when we are interested in the object or when we do not know who caused the action. Example: Appointments are required in such cases. We can only form a passive sentence from an active sentence when there is an object in the active sentence.

Form
to be + past participle How to form a passive sentence when an active sentence is given: - object of the "active" sentence becomes subject in the "passive" sentence - subject of the "active" sentence becomes "object" in the "passive" sentence" (or is left out) Active: Peter builds a house.

Passive:

A house

is built

by Peter.

Examples
Active Passive: Peter A house builds is built a house. Simple Present by Peter.

Active: Passive:

Peter A house

built was built

a house. Simple Past by Peter.

Active:

Peter

has built

a house.

Present Perfect

Passive:

A house

has been built by Peter.

Active: Passive:

Peter A house

will build will be built

a house. will-future by Peter.

Active:

Peter

can build

a house. by Peter. Modals

Passive:

A house

can be built

Decide whether the sentences are written in Active or Passive. Match all the items on the right with the items on the left, then press "CHECK". Check Passive They listen to music. She is reading an e-mail. These cars are produced in Japan. Alan teaches Geography. German is spoken in Austria. Lots of houses were destroyed by the earthquake. Henry Ford invented the assembly line. The bus driver was hurt. You should open your workbooks. Houses have been built.
Active
Passive

Active Passive
Passive Active

Passive Active Passive

Check Decide whether the sentences are written in Active or Passive. Match all the items on the right with the items on the left, then press "CHECK". Check Boys like to play soccer. This room has been painted blue. Cricket is played in Australia. I am given a book. We have lost our keys. You might see dolphins here.
Active Passive Passive Passive
Active

Active

The report must be completed by next Friday. They were singing a song. A letter was written to her. The bike is being repaired.

Passive
Active Passive

Passive

Passive sentences - Exercise

Explanation: Passive voice
Passive Voice Passive sentence en 11

Rewrite the sentences using Passive voice. Example: Peter writes a letter. _________________ Answer: A letter is written. or A letter is written by Peter. 1) Julia rescued three cats.
Three cats w ere rescued.

. . . .

2) The students handed in the reports.

The reports w ere handed in.

3) Maria crashed into the blue car.

The blue car w as crashed into.

4) Alex learned the poem.

The poem w as learned.

5) Steven has forgotten the book. . 6) The mechanic has not repaired the DVD recorder.
The DVD recorder has not been repaired. The book has been forgotten.

. . .

7) They play handball.

Handball is played.

8) Sue puts the rucksack on the floor.

The rucksack is put on the floor.

9) The girls had lost the match.

. 10) The teacher is not going to open the window.

The w indow is not going to be opened.

The match had been lost.

Passive Voice

Passive sentence en

321

Rewrite the given sentences in Passive voice. Example: Frank built a house. _____________________ Answer: A house was built. or A house was built by Frank. 1) She bought four apples.
Four apples w ere bought.

. . . . .

2) We won the match.

The match w as w on.

3) The man stole the blue car.

The blue car w as stolen.

4) The police arrested the thieves.

The thieves w ere arrested.

5) Jack swam the 200 metres.

The 200 metres w ere sw um.

6) The dog bit the old lady. . 7) Tom and Max ate five hamburgers.
Five hamburgers w ere eaten.

The old lady w as bitten.

. .

8) Oliver taught the children.

The children w ere taught.

9) Victoria rode the brown horse. . 10) Grandmother told good stories.
Good stories w ere told.

The brow n horse w as ridden.

Check

Show answ er

Rewrite the given sentences in Passive voice. Example: Frank builds a house. _____________________ Answer: A house is built. or A house is built by Frank. 1) Mr Jones watches the film.
The film is w atched.

. . . . . .

2) The people speak English.

English is spoken.

3) He reads comics.
Comics are read.

4) We play volleyball.
Volleyball is played.

5) They sing the song.

The song is sung.

6) I take photos.
Photos are taken.

7) She does the housework. . 8) The policemen help the children.

The children are helped.
The housew ork is done.

. . .

9) He writes text messages.

Text messages are w ritten.

10) Mother waters the flowers.

The flow ers are w atered.

Put in the correct form of the verb in Passive into the gaps. Use the verb and the tense given in brackets. Example:

A letter __________ by Peter. (to write - Simple Present) Answer: A letter is written by Peter. 1) The words 2) We
are explained

by the teacher today. (to explain - Simple Present) a letter the day before yesterday. (to send - Simple Past) . It's too old. (not/to steal - will-future) because of snow. (already/to close - Present Perfect) next week. (to open - will-future)

w ere sent
w ill not be stolen

3) This car 4) This street

has already been closed w ill be opened

5) A new restaurant 6) He
w as invited

to the party yesterday. (to invite - Simple Past)

cannot be seen

7) The blue box 8) I

. (can/not/to see - Simple Present)

w as given the book

the book by my friend last Sunday. (to give - Simple Past) by my little brother. (not/to wash - Present Perfect)

9) The dishes 10) I

have not been w ashed

w ill not be asked

by Robert. (not/to ask - will-future)