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)
1
Examples of Passive
Tense Subject Verb Object
Active: Rita writes a letter.
Simple Present
Passive: A letter is written by Rita.
Active: Rita wrote a letter.
Simple Past
Passive: A letter was written by Rita.
Active: Rita has written a letter.
Present Perfect
Passive: A letter has been written by Rita.
Active: Rita will write a letter.
Future I
Passive: A letter will be written by Rita.
Active: Rita can write a letter.
Auxiliaries
Passive: A letter can be written by Rita.
Tense Subject Verb Object
Active: Rita is writing a letter.
Present
Progressive Passive
A letter is being written by Rita.
:
Active: Rita was writing a letter.
Past Progressive Passive
A letter was being written by Rita.
:
Active: Rita had written a letter.
Past Perfect Passive
A letter had been written by Rita.
:
Active: Rita will have written a letter.
Future II Passive
A letter will have been written by Rita.
:
Active: Rita would write a letter.
Conditional I Passive
A letter would be written by Rita.
:
Active: Rita would have written a letter.
Conditional II Passive
A letter would have been written by Rita.
:
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1. Rewrite the sentences in Passive voice.
Our dog did not bite the cat.
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The electricians test the fire alarm.
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The girls can play handball.
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Frank takes photos.
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John cleaned the bathroom.
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Jack has installed a new computer software.
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Rick told Sue to give up smoking.
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They expected us to build the road.
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The lady gave me the keys.
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They develop a new type of washing powder.
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Snow covered the mountains.
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The professor is going to show the students an old bone.
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We must write to her.
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3
Julia rescued three cats.
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The students handed in the reports.
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Maria crashed into the blue car.
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Alex learned the poem.
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Steven has forgotten the book.
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The mechanic has not repaired the DVD recorder.
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They play handball.
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Sue puts the rucksack on the floor.
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The girls had lost the match.
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The teacher is not going to open the window.
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John collects money.
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Anna opened the window.
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We have done our homework.
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4
I will ask a question.
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He can cut out the picture.
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The sheep ate a lot.
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We do not clean our rooms.
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William will not repair the car.
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Did Sue draw this circle?
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Could you feed the dog?
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Sheila is drinking a cup of tea.
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He was playing the guitar.
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Joe had cleaned the tables.
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A thief stole my car.
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I have opened the present.
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My father is washing the car.
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