active and passive

Exercise #1: Active/Passive Voice - Yes / No Exercise Exercise #2: Transform Active Voice into Passive Voice

Exercise #1: Active/Passive Voice - Yes / No Exercise

(Material Prepared by Silvia Rivero)

Can you use the passive voice in these sentences? Answer YES or NO

1. Mrs. Edwards died of cancer a year ago. YES / NO

2. Mrs. Taylor rewrote her will before losing consciousness. YES / NO

3. The court should consider the defendant's clean record. YES / NO

4. The court will request information about the deal. YES / NO

5. Granting authorization to take the children to that meeting was not a good idea. YES / NO

6. The officers conducted a thorough drug search in that location and found 25 pounds of cocaine there. YES / NO

7. Mr. Hunton is building the shelter near the end of the park. YES / NO

8. The plaintiff's family has owned that store since the 1950s. YES / NO

9. The defendant disappeared from the neighborhood that same day. YES / NO

10. The company manager openly encouraged the closing of a satisfactory deal. YES / NO

1. Mrs. Edwards died of cancer a year ago.

Correct answer: No

Explanation: There is no direct object in this sentence:

Mrs. Edwards died of cancer a year ago.

"of cancer" is a cause and "a year ago" refers to a point in time; neither is a direct object

2. Mrs. Taylor rewrote her will before losing consciousness.

Correct answer: Yes

Explanation: Mrs. Taylor rewrote her will before losing consciousness

She rewrote what? (direct object: her will). "Before losing consciousness" refers to a point in time; it is not a direct object.

3. The court should consider the defendant's clean record.

Correct answer: Yes

Explanation: The court should consider the defendant's clean record.

The court should consider what? (direct object: the defendant's clean record).

4. The court will request information about the deal.

Correct answer: Yes

Explanation: The court will request information about the deal.

The court will request what? (direct object: information about the deal).

5. Granting authorization to take the children to that meeting was not a good idea.

Correct answer: No

Explanation: There is no direct object after a copula or linking verb (was). (Note: a copula or linking verb links the subject of a sentence with the rest of the sentence (the predicate) but does not directly act on, or with respect to, an object (does not supply an answer to the question "what?") as in earlier examples: "John bought a laptop" or "Mrs. Taylor rewrote her will." In addition to the verb TO BE, examples of copula or linking verbs include perception copulas (appear, seem, feel, look, smell, sound, taste), state-of-rest copulas (lie, remain, rest, stand), and change-of-state copulas (become, come, fall, get, go, grow, run, turn).)

6. The officers conducted a thorough drug search in that location and found 25 pounds of cocaine there.

Correct answer: Yes

Explanation: The officers conducted a thorough drug search in that location and found 25 pounds of cocaine there.

What did they conduct? (Direct object: "a thorough drug search"). "In that location" refers to the place where the search was conducted and "25 pounds of cocaine" is the object of "found", not "conducted"

7. Mr. Hunton is building the shelter near the end of the park.

Correct answer: Yes

Explanation: Mr. Hunton is building the shelter near the end of the park..

What did they build? (Direct object: "the shelter"). "near the end of the park" refers to the place where the shelter is being built and is consequently not a direct object.

8. The plaintiff's family has owned that store since the 1950s.

Correct answer: Yes

Explanation: The plaintiff's family has owned that store since the 1950s.

What have they owned? (Direct object: "that store"). "since the 1950s" refers to a period of time; it is not a direct object.

9. The defendant disappeared from the neighborhood that same day.

Correct answer: No

Explanation: The defendant disappeared from the neighborhood that same day.

Where did the defendant disappear from? (Direct object: "from the neighborhood"). When? ("that same day").

10. The company manager openly encouraged the closing of a satisfactory deal.

Correct answer: Yes

Explanation: The company manager openly encouraged the closing of a satisfactory deal.

What did the manager openly encourage? (Direct object: "the closing of a satisfactory deal").

Exercise #2: Transform Active Voice into Passive Voice

(Material Prepared by Silvia Rivero)

Turn the following sentences into their passive version by rewriting them. When it is not possible to turn a sentence into the passive, explain why.

1. Mr. Stanton will buy the house previously occupied by Andrew Learner.

2. Mr. Rumsfeld was building a small barn and a fence outside his property limits.

3. The defendant Mrs. Wilkins will place all the new structures in the assigned location.

4. His attempt was considered a failure.

5. The owners have maintained the historic house and its surrounding park since 1976.

6. The prosecutor had a strong case.

7. Dr. Brown fled to the hospital as soon as possible.

8. During the trial the victim's relatives looked distressed, while the defendant seemed remorseless.

9. Mr. Crown would have answered the call if he had been at home.

10. The police may arrest you for this.

11. Joe Watson might have explained the cause of that behavior to the police, but they decided to take him to the precinct anyway.

Check your answers here

Answer Key

1. Mr. Stanton will buy the house previously occupied by Andrew Learner.

The correct answer is: "The house previously occupied by Andrew Learner will be bought by Mr. Stanton."

Mr. Stanton will buy the house previously occupied by Andrew Learner.

Subject Verb Direct Object

The house previously occupied by Andrew Learner

will be bought by Mr. Stanton.

Direct Object Verb Subject

bought: Past Participle: bought Verb Tense: Simple FutureVerb TO BE (Simple Past): will be Agreement: ---

2. Mr. Rumsfeld was building a small barn and a fence outside his property limits.

The correct answer was: "A small barn and a fence were being built outside the property limits by Mr. Rumsfeld."

Mr. Rumsfield was building a small barn and a fence outside the property limits.

Subject Verb Direct Object Where

A small barn and a fence were being built outside the property limts by Mr. Rumsfield.

Direct Object Verb Where Subject

build: Past Participle: built Verb Tense: Past ProgressiveVerb TO BE (Simple Past): was / were being Agreement: A barn and a fence / were

3. The defendant Mrs. Wilkins will place all the new structures in the assigned location.

The correct answer was: "All the new structures will be placed in the assigned location by the defendant Mrs. Wilkins."

The defendant Mrs. Wilkins will place all the new structures in the assigned location.

Subject Verb Direct Object Where

All the new structures will be placed in the assigned location by the defendant Mrs. Wilkins.

Direct Object Verb Where Subject

place: Past Participle: placed Verb Tense: Simple FutureVerb TO BE (Simple Future): will be Agreement: ---

4. His attempt was considered a failure.

Explanation: No possibility to turn this sentence into the passive because it is in the passive voice already!

5. The owners have maintained the historic house and its surrounding park since 1976.

The correct answer was: "The historic house and its surrounding park have been maintained by the owners since 1976."

The owners have maintained the historic house and its surrounding park

since 1976.

Subject Verb Direct Object Since when?

The historic house and its surrounding park

have been maintained by the owners since 1976.

Direct Object Verb Subject Since when?

maintain: Past Participle: maintained Verb Tense: Present PerfectVerb TO BE (Pres. Perf.): has / have been Agreement: House and park / have

6. The prosecutor had a strong case.

Explanation: This sentence cannot be turned into the passive. No passivization with the main verb TO HAVE.

7. Dr. Brown fled to the hospital as soon as possible.

Explanation: This sentence cannot be turned into the passive because there is no direct object in either of the clauses in this sentence.

8. During the trial the victim's relatives looked distressed, while the defendant seemed remorseless.

Explanation: This sentence cannot be turned into a passive version because there is no direct object in either of the clauses in this sentence.

9. Mr. Crown would have answered the call if he had been at home.

The correct answer was: "The call would have been answered by Mr. Crown if he had been at home."

Mr. Crown would have answered the call if he had been at home.


The call would have been answered by Mr. Crown if he had been at home.


answer: Past Participle: answered Verb Tense: Present Perfect with would (Perfect Conditional)Verb TO BE (Pres. Cond.): would have been Agreement: ---

10. The police may arrest you for this.

The correct answer was: "You may be arrested (by the police) for this."

The police may arrest you for this.


You may be arrested (by the police) for this.


11. Joe Watson might have explained the cause of that behavior to the police, but they decided to take him to the precinct anyway.

The correct answer was: "The cause of that behavior might have been explained to the police by Joe Watson, but he was taken to the precinct (by them) anyway."

Joe Watson might have explained the cause of that behavior to the police,

Subject Verb Direct Object To whom?

The cause of that behavior might have been explained to the police by Joe Watson,

Direct Object Verb To whom? Subject

explain: Past Participle: explained Verb Tense: Present Perfect (with modal might Verb TO BE (Pres. Perf. with modal might): might have been Agreement: ---

but they took him to the precinct

anyway.

Subject Verb D.O. Where?

but he was taken

to the precinct

(by them)

anyway.

D.O. Verb Where? Subject

take: Past Participle: taken Verb Tense: Simple PastVerb TO BE (Past. Perf. Prog.): was / were Agreement: he / was

Passive - various tenses - ExerciseExplanation: Passive

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 by the teacher today. (to explain - Simple Present)

2) We a letter the day before yesterday. (to send - Simple Past)

3) This car . It's too old. (not/to steal - will-future)

4) This street because of snow. (already/to close - Present Perfect)

5) A new restaurant next week. (to open - will-future)

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

7) The blue box . (can/not/to see - Simple Present)

8) I the book by my friend last Sunday. (to give - Simple Past)

9) The dishes by my little brother. (not/to wash - Present Perfect)

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

Passive - various tenses - Exercise1) The words are explained by the teacher today. 2) We were sent a letter the day before yesterday. 3) This car will not be stolen. It's too old. 4) This street has already been closed because of snow. 5) A new restaurant will be opened next week. 6) He was invited to the party yesterday. 7) The blue box cannot be seen. 8) I was given the book by my friend last Sunday. 9) The dishes have not been washed by my little brother. 10) I will not be asked by Robert.

Passive - Sentences in the Simple Past - Exercise1) The meal was cooked. 2) The trees were planted. 3) The words were substituted. 4) The question was answered. 5) The correct answers were ticked. 6) The apps were downloaded. 7) The door was locked. 8) The children were picked up. 9) The house was burnt down. 10) He was robbed.

Passive - Sentences in the Simple Present - Exercise1) Mr Jones watches the film.The film is watched.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.The housework is done.8) The policemen help the children.The children are helped.9) He writes text messages.Text messages are written.10) Mother waters the flowers.The flowers are watered.

Passive sentences with two objects - Exercise1) They don't speak English in this shop.English is not spoken in this shop.2) Kevin asked Dennis a question.Dennis was asked a question by Kevin.3) Somebody built the house last year.The house was built last year.4) She gives him a box.He is given a box.5) Max will look after him.He will be looked after by Max.6) The waiter brought Fred a big steak.A big steak was brought to Fred.7) Somebody broke into our bungalow last Friday.Last Friday our bungalow was broken into.8) The teacher told us a joke.We were told a joke by the teacher.9) They will meet Doris at the station.Doris will be met at the station.10) Michael has not sent me a text message.I have not been sent a text message.

Passive sentences in the Simple Past - Exercise1) She bought four apples.Four apples were bought.2) We won the match.The match was won.3) The man stole the blue car.The blue car was stolen.4) The police arrested the thieves.The thieves were arrested.5) Jack swam the 200 metres.The 200 metres were swum.6) The dog bit the old lady.The old lady was bitten.7) Tom and Max ate five hamburgers.Five hamburgers were eaten.8) Oliver taught the children.The children were taught.

9) Victoria rode the brown horse.The brown horse was ridden.10) Grandmother told good stories.Good stories were told.

Passive sentences - Exercise1) Julia rescued three cats.Three cats were rescued.2) The students handed in the reports.The reports were handed in.3) Maria crashed into the blue car.The blue car was crashed into.4) Alex learned the poem.The poem was learned.5) Steven has forgotten the book.The book has been forgotten.6) The mechanic has not repaired the DVD recorder.The DVD recorder has not been repaired.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.The match had been lost.10) The teacher is not going to open the window.The window is not going to be opened.Your Test - Answer

A) Make correct passive forms. Mind the tenses in brackets.

1) English - to speak (Simple Present)English is spoken 2) songs - to sing (Simple Past)songs were sung 3) a prize - to win (Simple Past)a prize was won

B) Rewrite the sentences in Passive voice.

1) Levi Strauss invented the blue jeans.The blue jeans were invented. 2) The mechanic repairs cars.Cars are repaired. 3) The girls can play handball.Handball can be played.

C) Are the sentences written in Active or Passive voice?

1) Lots of houses were destroyed.Correct Answer: Passive voice

2) Steven likes to play baseball.Correct Answer: Active voice

3) The bus driver was hurt.Correct Answer: Passive voice

D) Rewrite the sentences in Active voice.

1) Football is played by the children.

The children play football. 2) The computer is used by Patrick.Patrick uses the computer. 3) The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.

Sheila is drinking a cup of tea. - A cup of tea is being drunk by Sheila. My father is washing the car. - The car is being washed by my father. Farmer Joe is milking the cows. - The cows are being milked by farmer Joe. She is taking a picture of him. - A picture of him is being taken by her. I am writing a poem. - A poem is being written by me. We are not playing football. - Football is not being played by us. He is not wearing a tie. - A tie is not being worn by him. Is she preparing the party? - Is the party being prepared by her? Are they talking about the meeting? - Is the meeting being talked about by them? Is she watering the flowers? - Are the flowers being watered by her?

1. We are taught grammar by Ms Sullivan.2. He was praised by the teacher.3. The injured were taken to the hospital by the firemen.4. The town was destroyed by an earthquake.5. The teacher was pleased with the boy’s work.6. The building was damaged by the fire.7. By whom were you taught French?8. You will be given a ticket by the manager.9. The streets were thronged with spectators.10. We will be blamed by everyone.11. The trees were blown down by the wind.12. The thieves were caught by the police.13. The letter was posted by Alice.14. We were received by the hostess.15. The snake was killed with a stick.16. The minister was welcomed by the people.17. He was found guilty of murder.18. This house was built by John Mathews in 1991.

Answers

1. Ms Sullivan teaches us grammar.2. The teacher praised him.3. The firemen took the injured to the hospital.4. An earthquake destroyed the town.5. The boy’s work pleased the teacher.6. The fire damaged the building.7. Who taught you French?8. The manager will give you a ticket.9. Spectators thronged the streets.10. Everyone will blame us.11. The wind blew down the trees.12. The police caught the thieves.13. Alice posted the letter.14. The hostess received us.15. They/somebody killed the snake with a stick.16. The people welcomed the minister.17. They found him guilty of murder.18. John Mathews built this house in 1991.

1. A piece of plastic had been swallowed by the child.

2. Two separate people were given rides in the new models by the designer.

3. Our dog is frightened by loud thunderstorms.

4.The store was kept open until 11:00 p.m. by the overtired workers.

5. The ball is hit straight into the bleachers by the batter.

6. New insecticides are produced each year by chemical companies.

7.The old shed was painted bright blue by the man's son.

8. Resources for the project were not included in the budget by the legislature.

9. The vibrant colors in the painting are immediately noticed by museum goers.

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?present-progressive#p0










10.The story is presented in a dispassionate way by the author.

The child had swallowed a piece of plastic.

The designer gave two separate people rides in the new models.

Loud thunderstorms frighten our dog.

The overtired workers kept the store open until 11:00 p.m.

The batter hits the ball straight into the bleachers.

Chemical companies produce new insecticides each year.

The man's son painted the old shed bright blue.

The legislature did not include in the budget resources for the project.

Museum goers immediately notice the vibrant colors in the painting.

The author presents the story in a dispassionate way.

1. The winning novel was chosen by a panel of famous fiction writers.

2. Four motorists were killed by automobile accidents over the Memorial Day weekend.

3. The book on glaciers was never sent to the bookstore by the publishers.

4. A ball traveling at incredible speed was thrown by the veteran pitcher.

5. The dishes were cleared from the table by the impatient server.

6. English sheepdogs are bred and raised by the kennel on 3rd Avenue.

7. We were amazed by some of the performances.

8. Adequate medical benefits should be insisted on by every employee.

9. A motion was made to table the matter by three committee members.

10.A note was written on the brown paper bag by the grocery clerk.

1. The correct answer is A panel of famous fiction writers chose the winning novel.

Your answer:

For help, refer to the active-passive voice page.

2. The correct answer is Automobile accidents killed four motorists over the memorial day weekend.

Your answer:


3. The correct answer is The publishers never sent the book on glaciers to the bookstore.

Your answer:


4. The correct answer is The veteran pitcher threw a ball traveling at incredible speed.

Your answer:


5. The correct answer is The impatient server cleared the dishes from the table.

Your answer:


6. The correct answer is The kennel on 3rd Avenue breeds and raises English sheepdogs.

Your answer:


7. The correct answer is Some of the performances amazed us.

Your answer:


8. The correct answer is Every employee should insist on adequate medical benefits.

Your answer:


9. The correct answer is Three committee members made a motion to table the matter.

Your answer:


10. The correct answer is The grocery clerk wrote a note on the brown paper bag.

http://www.towson.edu/ows/activepass.htm









1. The rock star was constantly chased by photographers.

2. Our vehicle had been stolen from our garage by the same burglary team.

3. Melissa was taken to Disney World by the people in the office.

4. All of the data on the hard drive was erased by the careless blogger.

5. All Siamese cats are held by the SPCA for four days.

6. Allison was stunned by the actions of her classmates.

7. A good insurance plan can now be gotten by all drivers.

8. An election was held by the township to determine the boundaries of all districts .

9. A full tuition scholarship is presented to the winner each year by the judges.

10.A good deal of money will be made by that investment.

1. The television was purchased by a young man as a Father's Day gift.

2. A colorful blanket for the new baby was knitted by a family friend.

3. Three finalists will be given prizes by the film festival judges tonight.

4. Peter Rabbit has been told by his mother not to play in Mr. McGregor's garden.

5. The mittens were lost by the three little kittens.

6. Sally and I were treated to an old blues tune by the pianist while we ate.

7. The man was rescued by a mysterious woman in a cape.

8. Ella complains that she is always given a million excuses by her daughter.

9. When the bread arrived, it was gobbled down by the hungry guests.

10. In this picture, my brother is being given a violin lesson by our cousin, Jessica.

11. Our petition has been signed by thousands who want to protect the Bay.

12. When Alice, a scrawny tabby, was first presented by our kids, we resisted keeping her.

1. The correct answer is A young man purchased the television as a Father's Day gift.

Your answer:


2. The correct answer is A family friend knitted a colorful blanket for the new baby.

Your answer:


3. The correct answer is The film festival judges will give prizes to three finalists tonight.

Your answer:


4. The correct answer is Peter Rabbit's mother has told him not to play in Mr. McGregor's garden.

Your answer:


5. The correct answer is The three little kittens lost their mittens.

Your answer:


6. The correct answer is The pianist treated Sally and me to an old blues tune while we ate.

Your answer:


7. The correct answer is A mysterious woman in a cape rescued the man.

Your answer:


8. The correct answer is Ella complains that her daughter always gives her a million excuses.

Your answer:


9. The correct answer is In this picture, our cousin, Jessica, is giving my brother a violin lesson.

Your answer:


10. The correct answer is When the bread arrived, the hungry guests gobbled it down.

Your answer:


11. The correct answer is Thousands who want to protect the Bay have signed our petition.

Your answer:


12. The correct answer is When our kids first presented Alice, a scrawny tabby, we resisted keeping her.

Active-Passive Voice - Exercise 3

1. The correct answer is Photographers constantly chased the rock star.

Your answer:


2. The correct answer is The same burglary team had stolen our vehicle from our garage.

Your answer:


3. The correct answer is The people in the office took Melissa to Disney World.

Your answer:


4. The correct answer is The careless blogger erased all of the data on the hard drive.

Your answer:


5. The correct answer is The SPCA holds all Siamese cats for four days.

Your answer:


6. The correct answer is The actions of her classmates stunned Allison.

Your answer:


7. The correct answer is All drivers can now get a good insurance plan.

Your answer:


8. The correct answer is The township held an election to determine the boundaries of all districts.

Your answer:


9. The correct answer is The judges present a full-tuition scholarship to the winner each year.

Your answer:


10. The correct answer is That investment will make a good deal of money.

Your answer:


active and passive

Documents

adequate medical benefits

relatives looked distressed

brown paper bag

good insurance plan

passive voice page

house previously occupied

memorial day weekend

transform active voice