Grammar

PASSIVE VOICE

                                      

Use of Passive

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:

Example: A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).

Form of Passive

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Example: A letter was written.

When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:

• the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
• the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
• the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)

Examples of Passive

Tense	Subject	Verb	Object
Simple Present	Active:	Rita	writes	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	is written	by Rita.
Simple Past	Active:	Rita	wrote	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	was written	by Rita.
Present Perfect	Active:	Rita	has written	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	has been written	by Rita.
Future I	Active:	Rita	will write	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	will be written	by Rita.
Hilfsverben	Active:	Rita	can write	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	can be written	by Rita.

Examples of Passive

Tense	Subject	Verb	Object
Present Progressive	Active:	Rita	is writing	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	is being written	by Rita.
Past Progressive	Active:	Rita	was writing	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	was being written	by Rita.
Past Perfect	Active:	Rita	had written	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	had been written	by Rita.
Future II	Active:	Rita	will have written	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	will have been written	by Rita.
Conditional I	Active:	Rita	would write	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	would be written	by Rita.
Conditional II	Active:	Rita	would have written	a letter.
Passive:	A letter	would have been written	by Rita.

Passive Sentences with Two Objects

Rewriting an active sentence with two objects in passive voice means that one of the two objects becomes the subject, the other one remains an object. Which object to transform into a subject depends on what you want to put the focus on.

	Subject	Verb	Object 1	Object 2
Active:	Rita	wrote	a letter	to me.
Passive:	A letter	was written	to me	by Rita.
Passive:	I	was written	a letter	by Rita.

Write passive sentences in Simple Present.  AM/IS/ARE + VB3

1. the documents / print   
2. the window / open   
3. the shoes / buy  
4. the car / wash  
5. the litter / throw away 
6. the letter / send 
7. the book / read / not 
8. the songs / sing / not 
9. the food / eat / not 
10. the shop / close / not 

Write passive sentences in Simple Past.    WAS/WERE + VB3

1. the test / write 
2. the table / set 
3. the cat / feed 
4. the lights / switch on 
5. the house / build 
6. dinner / serve 
7. this computer / sell / not  
8. the car / stop / not 
9. the tables / clean / not 
10. the children / pick up / not 

Write passive sentences in Present Perfect.  HAVE/HAS + BEEN + VB3

1. the postcard / send The postcard has been sent.
2. the pencils / count 
3. the door / close 
4. the beds / make 
5. the mail / write 
6. the trees / plant 
7. the money / spend The money has been spent.
8. the room / book / not 
9. the rent / pay / not 
10. the people / inform / not 

Rewrite the sentences in passive voice. PRESENT SIMPLE  AM/IS/ARE + VB3

1. He opens the door. – 
2. We set the table. – 
3. She pays a lot of money. – 
4. I draw a picture. – 
5. They wear blue shoes. – 
6. They don’t help you. – 
7. He doesn’t open the book. – 
8. You do not write the letter. – 
9. Does your mum pick you up? – 
10. Does the police officer catch the thief? – 

Rewrite the sentences in passive voice. PAST SIMPLE  WAS/WERE + VB3

1. She sang a song. – 
2. Somebody hit me. – 
3. We stopped the bus. – 
4. A thief stole my car. – 
5. They didn’t let him go. – 
6. She didn’t win the prize. – 
7. They didn’t make their beds. – 
8. I did not tell them. – 
9. Did you tell them? – 
10. Did he send the letter? – 

Rewrite the sentences in passive voice. PRESENT PERFECT  HAVE/HAS + BEEN +VB3

1. Kerrie has paid the bill. – 
2. I have eaten a hamburger. – 
3. We have cycled five miles. – 
4. I have opened the present. – 
5. They have not read the book. – 
6. You have not sent the parcel. – 
7. We have not agreed to this issue. – 
8. They have not caught the thieves. – 
9. Has she phoned him? – 
10. Have they noticed us? –

Rewrite the sentences in passive voice. FUTURE SIMPLE  WILL + BE + VB3

1. Jane will buy a new computer. – 
2. Her boyfriend will install it. – 
3. Millions of people will visit the museum. – 
4. Our boss will sign the contract. – 
5. You will not do it. – 
6. They will not show the new film. – 
7. He won’t see Sue. – 
8. They will not ask him. – 
9. Will the company employ a new worker? – 
10. Will the plumber repair the shower? –

Rewrite the sentences in passive voice. PRESENT CONTINUOUS AM/IS/ARE + BEING + VB3

1. Sheila is drinking a cup of tea. – 
2. My father is washing the car. – 
3. Farmer Joe is milking the cows. – 
4. She is taking a picture of him. – 
5. I am writing a poem. – 
6. We are not playing football. – 
7. He is not wearing a tie. – 
8. Is she preparing the party? – 
9. Are they talking about the meeting? – 
10. Is she watering the flowers? –