Examples of Passive Voice

Tense Subject Verb Object

Active: Dhalia writes a letter.
Simple Present
Passive: A letter is written by Dhalia.
Active: Dhalia wrote a letter.
Simple Past
Passive: A letter was written by Dhalia.
Active: Dhalia has written a letter.
Present Perfect
Passive: A letter has been written by Dhalia.
Active: Dhalia will write a letter.
Future (will)
Passive: A letter will be written by Dhalia.
Active: Dhalia can write a letter.
Modal verbs
Passive: A letter can be written by Dhalia.
Present Active: Dhalia is writing a letter.
Continuous Passive: A letter is being written by Dhalia.
Active: Dhalia was writing a letter.
Past Continuous
Passive: A letter was being written by Dhalia.
Active: Dhalia had written a letter.
Past Perfect
Passive: A letter had been written by Dhalia.

Rewrite the sentences in passive voice (past simple).

1. Mary 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. Oliver 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?

ANSWERS
A song was sung by Mary.
I was hit by somebody.
The bus was stopped by us.
My car was stolen by a thief.
He was not let go by them.
The prize was not won by Oliver.
Their beds were not made by them.
They were not told by me.
Were they told by you?
Was the letter sent by him?
PASSIVE SENTENCES: DITRANSITIVE VERBS (TWO OBJECTS)
Subject Verb Object 1 Object 2
Active: Dhalia wrote a letter to me.
Passive1: A letter was written to me by Dhalia.
Passive2: I was written a letter by Dhalia.

ME
YOU
HIM
REMEMBER: HER
IT
PREPOSITION “BY” +OBJECT PRONOUN US
YOU
THEM

1. Rachel will give you some advice.

→
2. I sent him a letter.
→
3. The police officer showed us the way.
→
4. Our neighbour gave me a lift.
→
5. We have asked him a favour.
→
6. She told me a lie.
→
7. They have written her a postcard.
→
8. Kerrie will make you a cup of tea.
→
9. The waiter has not brought us the coffee.
→
10. They did not offer her a seat.
→

ANSWERS
→ Some advice will be given to you.
→ A letter was sent to him.
→ The way was shown to us.
→ A lift was given to me.
→ A favour has been asked of him.
→ A lie was told to me.
→ A postcard has been written to her
→ A cup of tea will be made for you
→ The coffee has not been brought to us
→ A seat was not offered to her.