THE PASSIVE

PRACTICE

Give the passive counterparts of the following sentences:

1. The newcomer solved the puzzle.

2. He wrote the letter rapidly.
3. He gave the flowers to Mary.
4. He gave me a push.
5. He insisted upon the invitation.
6. They did away with the law.
7. They made an example of his behaviour.
8. The secret police kept close tabs on the members of that terrorist organization.
9. Somebody has sat on the chair.
10. We saw him cross the street.
11. They have decided on this chair.
12. I took a picture of Mary.
13. Your presence there surprised me.
14. The force of the blizzard took us by surprise.
15. The hooligans set upon the old man and beat him up.
16. She doesn’t like it if people criticise her.
17. They have done away with trams in England.
18. I don’t think the police are doing anything about it.
19. They were giving a concert in the hall when a large piece of plaster fell down from
ceiling.
20. I gave him a cheque for the amount required.
21. The magistrate let him off with a severe reprimand.
22. They had evacuated the cathedral before the spire collapsed, so it did not hurt anyone.
23. They look after you very well in that hotel.
24. The police eventually gave up the search for the missing men.
25. Some girls love it if men pay them compliments.
26. Someone gave me this pen for Christmas.
27. They told him curtly to go away.
28. They are now building a new cinema there.
29. Some people object if others make them work hard.
30. I hate it when people make fun of me, though I don’t mind if they tease me.
31. He left without anyone noticing him.
32. He is tired of other people sponging him on.
33. People believe the authorities accused him of planning an armed revolt.
34. Somebody broke the vase during the party.
35. Don’t let them take advantage of you.
36. You must return all books to the library within a week.
37. Don’t let the gloomy weather depress you.
38. I just don’t like people staring at me.
39. She allows her colleagues to distract her from her work.
40. She locked the door so that nobody would disturb her (AVOID)
41. We can’t do much for him now (LITTLE)
42. Allegedly, this book was written by two people.
43. The manager is investigating your complaint.