In the active voice, the subject of the sentence DOES the action:

•John painted the house last week.

Subject / verb / object

In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence RECEIVES the action.
•The house was painted last week.
Subject / verb

Notice that the object of the active sentence (house)

became the subject of the passive sentence.
PASSIVE VOICE: FORM
To change an active voice sentence to a passive voice sentence:

1.Make the object of the active sentence into the subject of the
passive sentence.

2.Use the verb “to be” in the same tense as the main verb of the
active sentence.

3.Use the past participle of the main verb of the active sentence.
Here are some active and passive voice examples to help!

•Active: People drink champagne on New Year’s Eve.

Passive: Champagne is drunk on New Year’s Eve.

•Active: Chefs use these machines to mix the ingredients.

Passive: These machines are used to mix the ingredients.

•Active: They renovated the restaurant in 2004.

Passive: The restaurant was renovated in 2004.
Active: People speak Portuguese in Brazil.
Passive: Portuguese ___________ in Brazil.

A A: is speak
B B: is spoke
C C: is spoken
Active: The staff cleans all the hotel rooms daily.
Passive: The hotel rooms _________ daily.

A A: are clean
B B: are cleaned
C C: is cleaned
Active: A friend gave me this sweater.
Passive: This sweater ________ to me by a friend.

A A: is given
B B: was gave
C C: was given
Active: A famous author wrote these letters.
Passive: These letters _________ by a famous author.

A A: were wrote
B B: was written
C C: were written
PASSIVE VOICE:
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH IS or ARE.
1. This programme ___________watched by millions of people.
2. Paper ______________made from wood.
3. Hundreds of people ___________killed in accidents every year.
4. London __________visited by thousands of tourists every year.
5. The biology class ____________taught by Mr Green.
6. English ___________spoken all over the world.
7. Lunch ___________served at twelve o’clock.
8. Books ___________written by authors.
PASSIVE VOICE:
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH WAS or WERE AND THE
CORRECT PAST PARTICIPLE OF THE VERBS IN BRACKETS.

1. The telephone ____________________(invent) by Mr Bell.

Example: the telephone was invented by Mr. Bell

1. This picture ____________________ (paint) by Peter.

2. The thieves____________________ (arrest) by the police.
3. The letters ____________________ (send) last week.
4. This article _____________________(write) by Stanley.
5. The party ____________________ (organise) by Paul.
6. The winners ____________________ (give) a medal by the prime
minister.