PRACTICE OF PASSIVE VOICE

A. Read the following story. Choose five of the sentences and change them to passive
sentences.
Last Thanksgiving, my family celebrated the holiday together. My grandparents, aunts and uncles,
and cousins came to our house. My mother and grandmothers prepared the food. Everyone enjoyed
the turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes. For dessert, the family ate
pumpkin pecan pie and cherry pie. After dinner, we watched the Detroit Lions football game. Then,
the kids played a game of football in the backyard. We told stories about past holidays. I think that
everyone had a wonderful holiday. I can't wait for next year!
1. __________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________________

B. Circle the sentence that has the same meaning.

1. The animal was eating by the river.
a. The animal ate something.
b. Something ate the animal.
2. My grandmother made her sweater.
a. The sweater was made by my grandmother.
b. Someone made my grandmother’s sweater.
3. She was asked to dance.
a. She asked someone to dance.
b. Someone asked her to dance.
4. The cat ran after the bird.
a. The cat chased the bird.
b. The bird chased the cat.
5. The teacher was taught by the students.
a. The teacher learned.
b. The students learned.
C. Rewrite the sentences and questions in the Passive.
Example:
We have finished the housework.
→ The housework has been finished.
1. They have opened a new shop.
→ _____________________________.
2. Rick has interviewed the lady.
→ _____________________________.
3. I have bought the tickets.
→ _____________________________.
4. We have not sold the bike.
→ _____________________________.
5. Tim has forgotten the sandwiches.
→ _____________________________.
6. He has not cleaned the kitchen yet.
→ _____________________________.
7. Joe and Gerry have never played rugby.
→ _____________________________.
8. Somebody has stolen Peter's car.
→ _____________________________.
9. She has not used the tablet for days.
→ _____________________________.
10. Have they found the keys?
→ _____________________________?
D. Put in the correct form of the verb in Passive into the gaps. Use the verb and the tense given in
brackets.
Example:
Letters _______ by Peter. (to write → Simple Present)
→ Letters are written by Peter.
1. The words _______ by the teacher today. (to explain → Simple Present)
2. We _______ a letter the day before yesterday. (to send → Simple Past)
3. This car _______. It's too old. (not/to steal → will-future)
4. This street _______ because of snow. (already/to close → Present Perfect)
5. A new restaurant _______ next week. (to open → will-future)
6. He _______ to the party yesterday. (to invite → Simple Past)
7. The blue box _______. (can/not/to see → Simple Present)
8. I _______ the book by my friend last Sunday. (to give → Simple Past)
9. The dishes _______ by my little brother. (not/to wash → Present Perfect)
10. I _______ by Robert. (not/to ask → will-future)

E. Change the active to the passive.

1. Shakespeare wrote that play.
2. Bill will invite Ann to the party.
3. Alex is preparing that report.
4. Waitresses and waiters serve customers.
5. The teacher is going to explain the lesson.
6. Shirley has suggested a new idea.
7. Two horses were pulling the farmer’s wagon.
8. Kathy had returned the book to the library.
9. By this time tomorrow the president will have made the announcement.
10. I didn’t write that note, Jim wrote it.

GOOD LUCK 