Active and passive

A few examples

Dieter and Kelly wash the dishes every day. The dishes are washed every day (by Dieter

and Kelly). Yesterday Chantal gave Clark a present. Yesterday Clark was given a present (by

Chantal). Edwin has painted the kitchen. The kitchen has been painted (by Edwin). Kevin bought an interesting book. An interesting book was bought (by Kevin).

What’s the difference?

Peter left Saskia last year. Saskia was left by Peter last year. Saskia left Peter last year. Peter was left by Saskia last year.

Exercises (key)

Mary woke John by shouting. John was woken by Mary shouting. John woke Mary by shouting. Mary was woken by John shouting.

His father gave it to him. It was given to him by his father. He gave it to his father. It was given to him by his son.

An accident caused the fire. The fire was caused by an accident. The fire caused an accident. The accident was caused by a fire.

Ants ate almost everything. Almost everything was eaten by ants. Almost everything eats ants. Ants are eaten by almost everything.

In one week, he’s changed all his plans with her.

All his plans with her have been changed in one week.

She’s changed all his plans in one week. All his plans have been changed by her

in one week.

Big fish catch little fish. Little fish are caught by big fish. Little fish catch big fish. Big fish are caught by little fish.

Mary has left John. John has been left by Mary. John has left Mary. Mary has been left by John.

The students have learnt a lot from the teacher.

The students have been taught a lot by the teacher.

The students have taught the teacher a lot. The teacher has been taught a lot by the

students.

Mary loves John. John is loved by Mary. John loves Mary. Mary is loved by John.