Active or passive voice exercise

Complete the following sentences using an active or passive verb form.

Hints
We use the active voice when the subject is the doer of the action.
We use the passive voice when something is done to the subject.

1. Most things ………………….. plastic these days.

a) made of b) are made of c) Either could be used here

2. My mother ……………….. wine from strawberries.

a) makes b) is made

3. The house …………………

a) is built b) is being built c) Either could be used here

4. This bag …………………. of leather.

a) is made b) make

5. It ………………. disappeared. I can’t see it now.

a) has b) has been c) Either could be used here

6. Their house ………………… last week.

a) sold b) was sold c) is sold

7. Do you think that the work ………………… by Friday?

a) is completed b) will be completed

8. These tablets ………………. with food.

a) need to take b) need to be taken

9. The postman …………………. this letter in the morning.

a) delivered b) was delivered

10. You ………………. the money last week.

a) should send b) should have sent c) send
Fill in the PASSIVE in the appropriate tense:

1. (TV / invent / Baird……... ……………..

2. (Pyramids / build / Egyptians) ………………………………………………….

3. (milk / produce / cows) ………………………………………………….

4. (coffee / grow / in Brazil) …………………………………………………

5. (chopsticks / use / in China) …………………………………………………

6. (plants / water / every day………………………………………………..

7. (the thief / arrest / policeman / yesterday) ……………………………………..

8. (the injured man / take to a hospital / now) ……………………………………..

9. (the car / repair / tomorrow) …………………………………………………

10. (the letter / send / last week) …………………………………………………

Put the verbs in brackets into PAST SIMPLE PASSIVE:

Two men ….. were seen ……. (see) breaking into a house in my street last night. The police
…………………………. (call) and they arrived very quickly. One man ………………………. (catch) immediately. The
other escaped, but he ……………………………. (find) very soon. Both men ………………………………… (take) to the
police station where they ………………………. (question) separately by a police officer. The two men
………………………. (charge) with burglary.

Turn from ACTIVE into PASSIVE:

1. The gardener has planted some trees.

…. Some trees have been planted by the gardener..
2. Doctor Brown will give you some advice.
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. A famous designer will redecorate the hotel.
……………………………………………………………………………………
4. Steven Spielberg directed “E.T.”
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. Someone has broken the crystal vase.
……………………………………………………………………………………
Change these sentences from active to passive:

1. People speak Portuguese in Brazil.

_______________________________________________________________
2. The Government is planning a new road near my house.
_______________________________________________________________

3. My grandfather built this house in 1943.

_______________________________________________________________

4. Picasso was painting Guernica at that time.

_______________________________________________________________

5. The cleaner has cleaned the office.

_______________________________________________________________

6. He had written three books before 1867.

_______________________________________________________________

7. John will tell you later.

_______________________________________________________________

8. By this time tomorrow we will have signed the deal.

_______________________________________________________________

9. Somebody should do the work.

_______________________________________________________________

10. The traffic might have delayed Jimmy.

_______________________________________________________________

11. Everybody loves Mr Brown.

_______________________________________________________________

12. They are building a new stadium near the station.

_______________________________________________________________

13. The wolf ate the princess.

_______________________________________________________________

14. At six o’clock someone was telling a story.

_______________________________________________________________
 15. Somebody has drunk all the milk!
_______________________________________________________________

16. I had cleaned all the windows before the storm.

_______________________________________________________________

17. A workman will repair the computer tomorrow.

_______________________________________________________________

18. By next year the students will have studied the passive.
_______________________________________________________________

Change these sentences from active to passive:

11. People speak Portuguese in Brazil.

_______________________________________________________________
12. The Government is planning a new road near my house.
_______________________________________________________________

13. My grandfather built this house in 1943.

_______________________________________________________________

14. Picasso was painting Guernica at that time.

_______________________________________________________________

15. The cleaner has cleaned the office.

_______________________________________________________________

16. He had written three books before 1867.

_______________________________________________________________

17. John will tell you later.

_______________________________________________________________

18. By this time tomorrow we will have signed the deal.

_______________________________________________________________

19. Somebody should do the work.

_______________________________________________________________
 20. The traffic might have delayed Jimmy.
_______________________________________________________________

19. Everybody loves Mr Brown.

_______________________________________________________________

20. They are building a new stadium near the station.

_______________________________________________________________

21. The wolf ate the princess.

_______________________________________________________________

22. At six o’clock someone was telling a story.

_______________________________________________________________

23. Somebody has drunk all the milk!

_______________________________________________________________

24. I had cleaned all the windows before the storm.

_______________________________________________________________

25. A workman will repair the computer tomorrow.

_______________________________________________________________

26. By next year the students will have studied the passive.
_______________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET 23

SUBJECT : Passive Form

A) Fill in the PASSIVE in the appropriate tense:

11. (TV / invent / Baird) …….. TV was invented by Baird. ……………..

12. (Pyramids / build / Egyptians) ………………………………………………….
13. (milk / produce / cows) ………………………………………………….
14. (coffee / grow / in Brazil) …………………………………………………
15. (chopsticks / use / in China) …………………………………………………
16. (plants / water / every day) ………………………………………………..
 17. (the thief / arrest / policeman / yesterday) ………………………………………………..
18. (the injured man / take to a hospital / now) ………………………………………………..
19. (the car / repair / tomorrow) …………………………………………………
20. (the letter / send / last week) …………………………………………………

B) Put the verbs in brackets into PRESENT SIMPLE PASSIVE:

There is a chimpanzee which ….. is called …… (call) “Bubbles”. It ………………….. (own)

by Michael Johnson. It …………………………. (keep) in his home. It …………………. .(feed)
every day by Michael Johnson himself. It …………………………………….. (always / dress) in
funny clothes. It ………………………………. (said) that “Bubbles” is Michael Johnson’s only
friend.

C) Look at the Hotel Information table and write sentences as in the example:

Hotel Information
Breakfast Rooms
In Pierrot’s Restaurant 7-9:30 am Maid Service daily
Dinner Hot water
In Main Restaurant 8-10 pm 24 hours a day
Newspapers – Telephone calls Hotel Cinema
At the Reception Desk Film every night at 10 pm

1. Breakfast / serve – where and when?

Breakfast is served in Pierrot’s Restaurant between 7 and 9:30 am.
2. Dinner / serve – where and when?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Newspapers / sell – where?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Telephone calls / can make – where?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Rooms / clean – who by and how often?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Hot water / supply – when?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Films / show – where and when?
………………………………………………………………………………………………

D) Put the verbs in brackets into PAST SIMPLE PASSIVE:

 Two men ….. were seen ……. (see) breaking into a house in my street last night. The police
…………………………. (call) and they arrived very quickly. One man ……………………….
(catch) immediately. The other escaped, but he ……………………………. (find) very soon. Both men
………………………………… (take) to the police station where they …………….
………………………. (question) separately by a police officer. The two men ………………..
………………………. (charge) with burglary.

E) Turn from ACTIVE into PASSIVE:

6. The gardener has planted some trees.

…. Some trees have been planted by the gardener..
7. Doctor Brown will give you some advice.
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. A famous designer will redecorate the hotel.
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. Steven Spielberg directed “E.T.”
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. Someone has broken the crystal vase.
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. His parents have brought him up to be polite.
……………………………………………………………………………………
12. Fleming discovered penicillin.
……………………………………………………………………………………
13. They will advertise the product on television.
……………………………………………………………………………………
14. Someone is remaking that film.
……………………………………………………………………………………
15. Picasso painted that picture.
……………………………………………………………………………………

F) Using the PASSIVE, ask questions to which the bold type words are answers:

1. Columbus discovered America. …….. Who was America discovered by………… ?

2. We keep money in a safe. …………………………………………………… ?
3. A bee stung him. ……………………………………………………?
4. They speak Italian in Italy. …………………………………………………… ?
5. They have taken his aunt to hospital. ……………………………………………………?
6. The boys damaged the television. ………………………………………………….. ?
7. Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa. ………………………………………………….. ?
8. He invited 30 people to his party. ………………………………………………….. ?
9. They grow bananas in Africa. ………………………………………………….. ?

G) Turn from ACTIVE into PASSIVE:

 1. You must leave the bathroom tidy. …….. The bathroom must be left tidy. ………..
2. You should water this plant daily. …………………………………………………..
3. Our neighbor ought to paint the garage. ………………………………………………….
4. I have to return these books to the library. …………………………………………………
5. You must extinguish your cigarettes. ………………………………………………….
6. You must dry-clean this shirt. ………………………………………………….
7. Someone will pay you in ten days. ………………………………………………….

8. You can improve your health with more exercise.

………………………………………………………………..
9. People must obey the law. ………………………………………………….
10.The cleaner is going to mop the kitchen floor.
………………………………………………………………..

H) Turn from ACTIVE into PASSIVE:

1. Someone is helping her with the hosework.

………………………………………………………………..
1. A pickpocket robbed me.
……………………………………………………………….
2. The mail-order company sent Mrs. Green a parcel.
……………………………………………………………….
3. A dog is chasing the cild.
……………………………………………………………….
4. My friend sent me an invitation.
……………………………………………………………….
5. The farmer is building a new barn.
……………………………………………………………….
6. The secretary has given Mrs. Jones some letters.
……………………………………………………………….
7. The traffic warden had already given him a ticket for illegal parking.
……………………………………………………………….
8. Someone had broken our door down.
……………………………………………………………….
9. They chose him as the best actor of the year.
……………………………………………………………….

I) Turn form ACTIVE into PASSIVE as in the example:

1. He gave me a present.
a) I was given a present.
b) A present was given to me.
2. The waiter will bring us the bill.
a) …………………………………………………………
 b) …………………………………………………………
3. The Queen presented him with a medal.
a) …………………………………………………………
b) …………………………………………………………
4. Her mother bought Mary some sweets.
a) …………………………………………………………
b) …………………………………………………………
5. Bob has sold Ted a second-hand car.
a) …………………………………………………………
b) …………………………………………………………
6. Larry is going to send a letter to Tom.
a) …………………………………………………………
b) …………………………………………………………

J) Rewrite the following passage in the PASSIVE:

Some peoplem saw a UFO in the sky above London last night. They reported it to the police.
The army sent a helicopter to look at it more closely. The UFO shot the helicopter down and
killed both men in it. People have given photographs of the UFO to the police. Experts are
looking ar them now.

K) Rewrite the following passage in the PASSIVE:

Somebody has stolen a bus from outside the school. Some children saw the thief. The police
are searching for the bus now. They will use the children’s descriptions to catch the thief.

L) Rewrite the following passage in the PASSIVE:

Someone broke into a local jewellery shop yesterday. The owner had just locked up the shop
when a robber with a gun threatened him. The robber told him to unlock the shop and give him
all the diamonds in the safe. Then the robber tied him up. The police have organized a search
for the robber. They hope they will find him in a few days. Doctors are treating the owner of the
shop for shock.

M) Rewrite the following passage in the PASSIVE:

My uncle painted this picture. Someone has offered him a lot of money for it. He will deliver
the painting tomorrow. When they give him the money he will tell them the truth. He painted it
one night while he was sleepwalking!

N) Rewrite the following passage in the PASSIVE:

 Our school is organizing a contest. The teachers will choose the best project about the
environment. The students must include pictures and drawings in their projects. The students
will also have to do all the writing themselves. The school will give the winner a set of
encyclopaedias.

O) Make questions in the PASSIVE from these cues:

Example: Where / our local newspaper / print

Where is our local newspaper printed?

1. How many / photos / store / in the photo library

………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
2. photographs / develop / in the photo library
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
3. Where / messages / receive
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
4. the Daily Mirror / print / in Manchester
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
5. this magazine / sell / in Spain
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
6. Why / newspapers / send abroad
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
7. When / the newspaper / print
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
8. How / newspapers / deliver
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
9. Where / stories / write
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
10. a lot of paper / use / for each issue
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?

P) Write sentences in the PASSIVE.Use these phrases:

* in the sea * at school * in the kitchen * at the post office

* in Australia * in Italy * at weddings * in Mediterranean countries
* in the cinema

Example: olives / grow

Olives are grown in Mediterranean countries.

1. films / show
 ……………………………………………………………………………….
2. meals / cook
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. stamps / sell
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. pandas / find
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. Italian / speak
……………………………………………………………………………….
6. confetti / throw
……………………………………………………………………………….
7. lessons / teach
……………………………………………………………………………….
8. sharks / find
……………………………………………………………………………….

WORKSHEET 24

SUBJECT : Passive Form

A) Read each sentence. Then make two new sentences in the PASSIVE:

1. People say Tom Cruise is the richest movie star.

a) It is said that Tom Cruise is the richest movie star.
b) Tom Cruise is said to be the richest movie star.

2. Everybody thinks that Hakan is a good football player.

a) It ………………………………………………………………………. .
 b) Hakan …………………………………………………………………. .

3. They say that his books are still popular.

a) It ………………………………………………………………………… .
b) His books ……………………………………………………………….. .

4. They report that at least 10.000 dolphins are caught in the nets of tuna fishers every year.
a) It …………………………………………………………………………. .
b) At least 10.000 dolphins …………………………………………………. .

5. They estimate that 1500 square kilometers of rainforests is cut every year.
a) It …………………………………………………………………………… .
b) 1500 square kilometers of rainforests ……………………………………… .

6. We knew that pencil lead is made from graphite, clay, water and wax.
a) It …………………………………………………………………………….. .
b) Pencil lead …………………………………………………………………... .

7. They reported that the railway line was buried under tons of rock and earth.
a) It ……………………………………………………………………………… .
b) The railway line ……………………………………………………………… .

8. People don’t think that inflation will go down.

a) It ……………………………………………………………………………….. .
b) Inflation ……………………………………………………………………….. .

9. People expect that the third bridge will be built over the Bosphorus Strait.
a) It ……………………………………………………………………………… .
b) The third bridge ……………………………………………………………….. .

10. People believe that he is living abroad.

a) It ………………………………………………………………………………. .
b) He ……………………………………………………………………………… .

B) Read each sentence. Then make two new sentences in the PASSIVE:

1. People expect that taxes will be reduced soon.

a) It …………………………………………………………… .
b) Taxes ………………………………………………………. .

2. People say that the monument is over 2000 years old.

a) It ………………………………………………………………… .
b) The monument ………………………………………………….. .
 3. People expect that the president will resign.
a) It …………………………………………………………………. .
b) The president ……………………………………………………. .

4. People think the fire started at about 8 o’clock.

a) It …………………………………………………………………. .
b) The fire …………………………………………………………… .

5. Journalists reported that seven people had been injured in the fire.
a) It …………………………………………………………………. .
b) Seven people …………………………………………………….. .

6. People say the bridge is unsafe.

a) It ………………………………………………………………….. .
b) The bridge ………………………………………………………… .

C) REPORT these rumors:

1. People say that the actress Tania Revesky has refused a part in the film Volcano.
a) It is said ……………………………………………………………………… .
b) The actress Tania Revesky ………………………………………………….. .

2. Her friends have reported that the newsreader Ann Slater is furious at losing her job.
a) It …………………………………………………………………………….. .
b) The newsreader Ann Slater …………………………………………………. .

3. Lots of people believe that The Prime Minister and his wife are getting divorced.
a) It …………………………………………………………………………….. .
b) The Prime Minister and his wife ……………………………………………. .

WORKSHEET 25

SUBJECT : Passive Form

A) Put the following sentences into the PASSIVE VOICE:

1. Someone has already paid the electrician for his work.

………………………………………………………………………………..
2. They taught him French and gave him a dictionary.
………………………………………………………………………………..
3. When we first met, they had already offered me a job at the bank.
………………………………………………………………………………..
 4. A man requested the stranger to leave the meeting.
…………………………………………………………………………………
5. A young woman asked the rest of us to be there at eight o’clock.
…………………………………………………………………………………
6. They had eaten all the dinner before they finished the conversation.
…………………………………………………………………………………
7. Who wrote it?
…………………………………………………………………………………
8. The author has written a special edition for children.
…………………………………………………………………………………
9. Did the idea interest you?
…………………………………………………………………………………
10. Why didn’t they mend the roof before it fell in?
…………………………………………………………………………………
11. The burglars had cut a huge hole in the steel door.
…………………………………………………………………………………
12. The organizers will exhibit the paintings till the end of the month.
…………………………………………………………………………………
13. When did they ring the church bells?
…………………………………………………………………………………
14. Does listening to music disturb you?
…………………………………………………………………………………

B) Read the following sentences and write another one with the same meaning:

1. It is believed that the wanted man is living in New York.

…………………………………………………………………………………
2. It is said that many people are homeless after the floods.
…………………………………………………………………………………
3. It is expected that the government will lose this election.
…………………………………………………………………………………
4. It is known that the Prime Minister is in favour of the new law.
…………………………………………………………………………………
5. It is believed that the thieves got in through the kitchen window.
…………………………………………………………………………………
6. It is thought that the prisoner escaped by climbing over the wall.
…………………………………………………………………………………
7. It is claimed that he drove through the town at 90 miles an hour.
…………………………………………………………………………………

8. It is reported that two people were seriously injured in the accident.

…………………………………………………………………………………
9. It is said that three men were arrested after the explosion.
…………………………………………………………………………………
 10. It is believed that Maria will not win the prize.
…………………………………………………………………………………
11. It is considered that the 2008 Olimpic Games will be held in Turkey.
………………………………………………………………………………….
12. It is said that our teacher is 55 years old.
………………………………………………………………………………….
13. It is thought that Tom didn’t steal their rings.
………………………………………………………………………………….
14. It is claimed that this examination will be the most difficult one.
………………………………………………………………………………….
15. It is believed that John will marry Ann at the end of this month.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
16. It is expected that people will live in Mars in 2050.
…………………………………………………………………………………..

C) Change these sentences into PASSIVE FORM:

1. People believe that the strike will end soon.

………………………………………………………………………………….
2. People believe that the thieves got through the kitchen window.
………………………………………………………………………………….
3. People say that the company is loosing a lot of money.
………………………………………………………………………………….
4. When is he going to pay the taxes?
………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Who has designed these buildings?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
6. How much do they spend on these activities?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
7. They broke a lot of plates while they were dancing?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Who invented the electric bulb?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
9. People believe that they are secret agents.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
10. People think that he takes harmful drugs.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
11. Did they give you a great reception?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
12. Nobody sends her a card at Christmas.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
13. Did anyone call an ambulance after the accident?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
14. Will you pay the fine?
 …………………………………………………………………………………..

D) Write the correct tense or voice:

Hospitals are places where people ……………………………………. (examine) and

……………………………… (bring) back to good health. I’m lucky because I …………………
……………………(never / take) to hospital when she …………………………… (hit) by a car last month.
Luckily no bones ………………………….. (break) but she …………………………
(examine) carefully and x-rays ………………………………… (take). She …………………….. (keep) there for
a night and she ………………………………….. (give) permission to leave the next day.
Ambulance services are also important. Patients …………………………… (must / take) to hospital
as quickly as possible. A lot of people ………………………………… (kill) in road accidents and a lot
more ……………………………………. (injure) but if more ambulances
…………………………………. (put) into service, more lives ………………………………..
(can / save).

E) Complete the sentences using PASSIVE FORMS:

1. The classroom ………………………………………………………………. an hour ago.

2. The blackboard …………………………………………………………. now.
3. English ……………………………………………………………………. in the world.
4. This unit …………………………………………………………………… next week.
5. No letters …………………………………………. since …………………………………..
6. His bike ……………………………………………………………………. last week.
7. My car ……………………………………………………………………….. now.
8. After the meal ……………………………………. , ……………………………………….
9. She is believed …………………………………………………………………………….. .
10. He is said …………………………………………………………………………………….