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The Passive
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GENERAL ENGLISH · GRAMMAR PRACTICE · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

THE
PASSIVE
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1 Presentation

Compare active and passive structures below.

Active: I mailed the letter on Monday. Passive: The letter was mailed on Monday.

In the active sentence the subject (I) causes an action (mailed the letter). In the passive sentence, the
cause of the action is unknown or unimportant - we only say what happens to the subject (the letter).
The passive is formed with the verb be (is/are/was/were etc.) + past participle (e.g. mailed)

If we want to say who or what causes the action in a passive sentence, we use by:
The letter was mailed by her father. He was hit by a motorbike.

If the verb in a passive sentence has two objects, we can begin with the second object or use to:
Active: The company gave me a new phone.
Passive: I was given a new phone. / A new phone was given to me.

We sometimes use get instead of be:

He nearly got run over by a car. My phone got stolen yesterday.
Get is used mainly in informal or spoken English to talk about things that happen or change unexpectedly.
We cannot say, for example, she gets liked by everyone.

Dialogue
A: His car was sold yesterday.
B: Really? Who bought it?
A: I don’t know, but he got paid a lot of money for it.

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INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

THE PASSIVE

2 Verbs in the passive

Complete the sentences using one of these verbs in the correct form:

clean hide hurt invite make teach write

1. Bread from flour and water.

2. I didn’t see you at the party because I .
3. The office by the janitor every morning.
4. Nobody knows when the book .
5. John French at school when he was a child.
6. Did you hear about the accident this morning? Fortunately, only two people .
7. The burglar didn’t find Janet’s jewelry box because it under her bed.

3 Active or passive?

Complete the sentences with the verbs in the correct form (active or passive):

1. Tom’s parents died when he was a child, so he (bring up) by his grandparents.
2. I liked your old Facebook profile picture. Why (you/change/it)?
3. My new photos (take) when I was on vacation in Spain.
4. I can’t get in the house. The door (lock)!
5. The store (close) every day at 5 pm.
6. My wallet (steal) while I was at the bar. I think it was that man with the beard.
7. Somebody (steal) my wallet while I was at the bar. I’m never going there again!
8. Alan (drive) everywhere. He loves his new car.
9. The president (drive) everywhere. He has his own private chauffeur.

4 Questions with the passive

Write questions using the passive.

When / the television / invent? When was the television invented?

1. When / the first website / build? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

2. When / the telephone / invent? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?
3. How often / the Olympics / hold? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?
4. When / the first car / make? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?
5. When / America / discover? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?
6. Which leader / show / on Indian banknotes? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

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 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

THE PASSIVE

Now try to guess the answers to the questions or work with a partner and ask/answer the questions.
Compare your answers to the correct answers on the next page. How close were you?

1. The first website was built in 1991.

2. The telephone was invented in 1876.
3. The Olympics are held every 4 years.
4. The first car was made in 1886.
5. America was discovered in 1492.
6. Gandhi is shown on Indian banknotes.

5 Passive - mixed tenses and modal verbs

Transform the sentences below into the passive voice. In some sentences you can use ‘get’ as well as
‘be’.

1. Almost everybody uses a computer these days.

Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. A loud noise woke me up this morning.
I ..............................................................................................
3. Somebody must tell him about the problem immediately!
He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. Nobody can complete this task in only one hour.
This task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Many people have lost their jobs during this economic crisis.
Many jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. When did somebody write this letter?
When was . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. Do you think they will discover a cure for cancer one day?
Do you think a cure for cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. They didn’t advertise the job offer on the internet.
The job offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. My grandparents built this house over 60 years ago.
This house . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10. Nobody has seen her since last month.
She . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11. All the hotel staff are treating us really well.
We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12. Has somebody found Jack’s phone yet?
Has Jack’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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 B1 A Local Sports Centre PA016

Fill in the blanks with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets .

A new sports and athletic centre _____________________ (OPEN) in our town last week. The
facility ____________________ (BELIEVE) to be one of the largest in the country and experts
hope that it ________________________ (VISIT) by thousands of amateur and professional
athletes over the course of the next few years.

The centre _____________________________ (CONSTRUCT) for over 6 years before it

______________________ (OPEN) by local authorities last Monday. However, it
_______________________________________ (NOT COMPLETELY FINISH) yet. Workers are making
the final adjustments this week and say that it _____________________ (COMPLETE) by the end
of the month.

The centre offers various sports facilities including two indoor swimming pools, three large
gyms and a ball court. They _____________________ (CAN BOOK) online or directly at the
administration desk. The equipment ______________________ (BUY) from local companies,
which also provided the training programs.

The new centre _____________________ (FINANCE) by government funds as well as grants that
________________________ (GIVE) to the region by the European Union. Politicians and famous
athletes from all over the country __________________________ (INVITE) to the official opening
ceremony, scheduled for next Tuesday.

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 B1 Passive Voice PA006

Make sentences in passive voice using the tenses in brackets. Add words where
necessary.

1. Great motorcycles - make – Japan (PRESENT SIMPLE)

__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
2. The lawn – not mow –last week (PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE)
__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
3. The postman – not see – recently (PRESENT PERECT SIMPLE)
__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
4. The Gothic cathedral – build – 10th century. (PAST SIMPLE)
__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
5. Many languages – speak – in the EU (PRESENT SIMPLE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
6. The schoolhouse – repair – today (PRESENT PROGRESSIVE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
7. The prize – award – tomorrow (FUTURE SIMPLE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
8. After the accident – Harry – take – to a doctor (PAST SIMPLE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
9. When I came in – the fridge – repair (PAST PROGRESSIVE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
10. The jewels – find – in the basement. (PAST SIMPLE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
11. After the shop – close – it – sell (PAST PERFECT SIMPLE – PAST SIMPLE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
12. Special technology – use (PRESENT PROGRESSIVE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
13. The thief – not find – by the police (PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
14. The shop – close – next month (FUTURE SIMPLE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
15. The cat – call – Sissy (PRESENT SIMPLE)
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .

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 B1 Passive Voice PA001

Make passive sentences using the word parts and the given tense.

1. The window – open (present perfect simple)

__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Her room – paint (past progressive)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. He – take – to the airport. (present perfect simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4. The bike – repair – at the moment (present progressive)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5. The cows – feed – every morning (present simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6. The novel – write – a hundred years ago (past simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
7. The food – must put – in the fridge (present simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
8. A press conference – hold – tomorrow afternoon (future simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
9. Our new house – just – finish (present perfect simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
10. The thief – see – by the policeman (past perfect simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
11. The story – often tell – by grandmother (present simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
12. The package – send – by a good friend (past simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
13. He – not see – for ages (present perfect simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
14. My dad – off – a new job – later this week (future simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
15. The church – not renovate – for two hundred years (present perfect simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
16. Breakfast – serve – from 7 to 10 (present simple)
_____________________________________________________________________________________

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 B1 Passive Voice PA002

Rewrite the sentences and make them passive.

1. They will send you the boxes next week.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Coca Cola has sponsored this programme.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. The manager has locked the door.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4. After they had shut the doors nobody could get in.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5. The organizers of the event welcomed the president.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6. They are inviting hundreds of guests to the opening of the new theatre.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympic Games.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
8. The farmer milks the cows twice a day.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
9. Everyone went to bed after they had switched off the lights.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
10. Stephen Spielberg is directing a major action film at the moment.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
11. The local authorities have cut down three trees in our street.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
12. They serve lunch from 12 to 2.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
13. When I got there, they were paving the road.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
14. The referee will stop the match if the weather gets worse.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
15. Mom hasn’t washed my jeans since October.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

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 B1 Passive Voice PA005

Rewrite the sentences and make them passive.

1. They are serving breakfast in the dining room.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
2. They play rugby in all the Commonwealth countries.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
3. You must clean your suit for the ceremony.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
4. The authorities are opening the town health centre next week.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
5. Nobody can beat Liverpool.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ .
6. After John had repaired the car, he sold it.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
7. Steven King wrote the book.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
8. You should send the email today.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
9. The doctor must examine you again.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
10. The company has produced cars since the beginning of the century.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
11. The Egyptians buried pharaohs in pyramids.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
12. They will meet you at the train station.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
13. Has everyone read the instructions?
_____________________________________________________________________________________ ?
14. The nurse reads the newspaper to the old man every day.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
15. They must have left the documents behind.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .

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 B1 Passive Voice PA007

Fill in the correct passive form of the verb.

1. Romeo and Juliet ___________________ by Shakespeare. (WRITE)

2. The books _________________________ yet. (NOT PUBLISH)
3. As soon as I got home, I realized that my wallet _________________________. (STEAL)
4. Dinner _________________________ between 5 and 10 p.m. every day. (SERVE)
5. No letters _________________________ since the start of the strike. (DELIVER)
6. The building _________________________ torn down when we got there (BE).
7. Progress in many fields of science _________________________ in the last decade. (MAKE)
8. Since last week 5 of the 7 terrorists _________________________. (CATCH)
9. Taxes _________________________ by the new government next month. (INCREASE)
10. The classroom _________________________ next week. (REDECORATE)
11. The church _________________________ by a famous architect in the 18th century.
(DESIGN)
12. The tunnel _________________________ at the moment, so it's closed for all traffic.
(REPAIR)
13. My phone _________________________. I can't find it anywhere. (TAKE)
14. The application _________________________ by Friday. (MUST SEND)
15. When we first met, I had _________________________ a job at the bank. (ALREADY OFFER)
16. Olives _________________________ in Mediterranean countries. (GROW)
17. He _________________________ French when he spent his childhood there. (TEACH)
18. "A Hard Days Night" _________________________ by the Beatles. (WRITE)
19. We _________________________ about the hurricane for the last few days. (WARN)
20. Before the meeting was over all the food _________________________. (EAT)
21. I _____________________________ extra pay this month. (ALREADY GIVE)
22. I _________________________ by the music so I couldn't concentrate. (DISTURB)
23. Aluminium _________________________ out of bauxite. (MAKE)
24. _________________________________________ yet? (THE PACKAGES , DELIVER)
25. A UFO _________________________ by several witnesses yesterday evening. (SEE)

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 B1 Active and Passive Voice PA009

Complete the sentences with the correct active or passive form of the verb in
brackets.

1. At last night's ceremony, they _____________ the award to an unknown actress. (GIVE)
2. The survivors __________________ by a cruise ship that __________________ to be near
them. (RESCUE, HAPPEN)
3. Two hours after the accident the doctor __________________ him dead. (DECLARE)
4. I remember __________________ to the circus by my father. (BE TAKE)
5. The weather _____________________ in the next few days. (NOT IMPROVE)
6. Coffee _____________________ before you __________________ it. (MUST ROAST, SELL)
7. The bridge _______________________ at the moment so it _____________________. (REPAIR,
CANNOT USE)
8. The police __________________ the victim a picture of the suspect. (SHOW)
9. The new staff members _____________________ all the help they need. (GIVE)
10. That door _________________________ for ages. (NOT OPEN)
11. A few days ago, a judge __________________ him to appear before court next month.
(ORDER)
12. The Times __________________________ such a shocking letter before. (NEVER PUBLISH)
13. They _________________________ on what to do when the headmaster __________________
in. (INSTRUCT, COME)
14. The vandals __________________ bottles into windows and __________________ a few cars.
(THROW, DESTROY)
15. The new teammates _______________________ more time to get accustomed to the
practice sessions. (SHOULD GIVE)
16. After dad __________________ me to the zoo, he __________________ me some new
clothes at the department store. (TAKE, BUY)
17. I __________________ to the party last Thursday because I ____________________. (NOT
GO, NOT INVITE)
18. I __________________ so surprised by such an outstanding performance before. (NEVER
BE)
19. When we __________________ out of the cinema, the bus __________________ to take us
home. (COME, WAIT)
20. All the papers _____________________ in by next Friday. (MUST HAND)

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 B1 Active or Passive Voice PA015

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb. Use active or passive voice.

1. A lot of old songs ____________________ on the radio last week. (PLAY)

2. The President ____________________________ about the coup in Central America. (JUST
INFORM)
3. If I ____________________ you I wouldn't go to the meeting. (BE)
4. The bank manager told me that the house ________________________ for. (NOT PAY)
5. I _________________________ the guitar since I was in nursery school. (PLAY)
6. Margie is very happy because she __________________________ an engagement ring
from her boyfriend. (JUST RECEIVE)
7. I _______________________ after the children while the garage ________________________ .
(LOOK , REPAIR)
8. When Jane came to the office, she found out that her boss ________________________ .
(ALREADY LEAVE)
9. Please don't interrupt us. We ____________________ an important conversation. (HAVE)
10. I reported to the police that my stamp collection _______________________ the week
before. (STEAL)
11. A short time after the pedestrian _______________________ by the car the ambulance
____________________ . (HIT, ARRIVE)
12. When Mr Kennel entered the room, emails ________________________ by his assistants.
(TYPE)
13. Dad ________________________ for over three weeks. (NOT SMOKE)
14. He normally ____________________ up on his own but yesterday he ____________________
by his mom. (WAKE, WAKE)
15. They usually ____________________ visitors at the hospital. (NOT ALLOW)
16. All the houses in our street _______________________ every year during the Christmas
season. (DECORATE)
17. India _______________________ independence in 1947. (GRANT)
18. They _______________________ in southern Italy since the end of the war. (LIVE)
19. I ______________________ a car by the garage so that I could drive home. (GIVE)
20. Tom's father is an excellent athlete. He ____________________ some sort of sport every
day. (DO)

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