FORM OF PASSIVE

TENSES ACTIVE PASSIVE

Mr. Smith writes the delivery The delivery notes are written (by Mr.
Simple Present
notes. Smith).
Mr. Smith wrote the delivery
Simple Past The delivery notes were written.
notes.
Present Mr. Smith is writing the delivery
The delivery notes are being written.
Progressive notes.
Past
Rita was writing a letter. A letter was being written.
Progressive
Present Perfec Mr. Smith has written the delivery
The delivery notes have been written.
t notes.
Mr. Smith had written the delivery
Past Perfect The delivery notes had been written.
notes.
Mr. Smith will write the delivery
The delivery notes will be written.
Future notes.
Rita will have written a letter. A letter will have been written.
Mr. Smith must write the delivery
Modal The delivery notes must be written.
notes.
Auxiliary Verbs
Rita can write a letter. A letter can be written.

Passive Sentences with Two Objects

The passive can also be used in sentences that have two objects direct object and
indirect object. Because many sentences with both a direct and an indirect object can
be written in two different ways (with and without to or for), the corresponding passive
sentences can also be written in two different ways:

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.
Active: Someone gives a million dollars to Bill
Passive: Bill was given a million dollars by someone
Active: Someone has bought a present for our boss.
Passive: Our boss has been bought a present by someone
 EXERCISE ON PASSIVE

I. Write passive sentences in Simple Present.

1. the documents / print  ______________________________________________________

2. the window / open  ______________________________________________________

3. the shoes / buy  ______________________________________________________

4. the car / wash  ______________________________________________________

5. the litter / throw away ______________________________________________________

II. Write passive sentences in Simple Past.

6. the test / write ______________________________________________________

7. the table / set  ______________________________________________________

8. the cat / feed  ______________________________________________________

9. the lights / switch on  ______________________________________________________

10. the house / build  ______________________________________________________

III. Write passive sentences with two objects.

11. Rachel will give you some advice. ____________________________________________

12. I sent him a letter. ____________________________________________

13. The police officer showed us the way. _________________________________________

14. Our neighbor gave me a lift. ________________________________________________

15. We have asked him a favor. ________________________________________________

 ANSWER KEYS

1. The test was written.

2. The table was set.
3. The cat was fed.
4. The lights were switched on.
5. The house was built.

1. Rachel will give you some advice.

→ Some advice will be given to you.
2. I sent him a letter.
→ A letter was sent to him.
3. The police officer showed us the way.
→ The way was shown to us.
4. Our neighbour gave me a lift.
→ A lift was given to me.
5. We have asked him a favour.
→ A favour has been asked of him.