Verb to be + Past Participle = Passive Voice

Object + Verb to be + Past Participle + by + Subject

TENSES ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE

Present simple tense He grows tomatoes Tomatoes are grown

Present continuous tense He is watering the flowers The flowers are being watered

Past simple tense He grew lettuce and carrots Lettuce and carrots were grown

Past continuous tense He is giving the awards The awards are being given

Present Perfect tense He has taught German here German has been taught here

Past Perfect tense He had spent a lot of money A lot of money had been spent

Future Simple She will keep the letters The letter will be kept

Future Perfect She will have brought the food The food will have been brought

Luis can write postcards Postcards can be written by Luis

Luis could drive a truck A truck could be driven by Luis

Elisa may build the house The house may be built by Elisa

Elisa might ride a camel A camel might be ridden by Elisa

Juan should sweep the floor The floor should be swept by Juan

You must study the passive The passive verbs must be studied
verbs

They ought to tidy the flat The flat ought to be tidied

Leonardo would make his bed His bed would be made by him

Alice has to obey her parents Her parents have to be obeyed by

Alice.

The children have to do Homework has to be done by the

homework children.
 Passive verb forms can occur in different tenses of to be
+ past participle. We use the passive when the action is
PASSIVE more important than the person or thing that does the
action.
VOICE
Ex. Cannes Film Festival is held every year in France.
Many films have been watched this year.
The jury of festival was elected two months ago.
Four films are shown at the main cinema.
Opening ceremony will be broadcast live.
In a passive sentence, the agent –the same person or thing as the subject of an active sentence-
is introduced by preposition by.
Ex. The ceremony will be hosted by a famous actress.

The agent is only expressed when it is important to say who or what did the action. In most
passive sentences, there is no agent.
Ex. The soundtrack of the film may be composed by John Williams.
Subtitles have been translated terribly.

EXERCISES
Many verbs, such as give, send, show, lend, can be followed by two objects (direct and indirect objects),
which usually refer to a person and a thing. Generally, the indirect object refers to a person, and comes
first.
Ex. The Academy awarded the film “The Artist” an Oscar.

When these verbs are used in the passive, there are two possibilities.
Ex. An Oscar was awarded to the film “The Artist”. The film “The Artist” was awarded an Oscar.

It is more common to use the indirect object (a person) as the subject of the passive sentence rather
than the direct object.
Ex. They told the people the truth –
The people were told the truth / The truth was told to the people

HAVE / GET SOMETHING DONE

We use the structure have / get + object + past participle when we refer to an action that is done for us by
someone else, that is to say, to situations where we ask somebody to do something for us.

Ex. Actors and actresses have their pictures taken on the red carpet.
Glamorous actresses got their gowns made in Paris.
A. Rewrite the sentences without changing the meaning.

1. They are rebuilding the old theatre.

 The old ________________________________________________________________________

2. They have finished the open ceremony.

The open _______________________________________________________________

3. The president will attend the film premier at the Odeon cinema.
The film _______________________________________________________________________

4. They are going to redecorate the stage with balloons and golden stars.
The stage _____________________________________________________________________

5. Famous actresses are wearing glamorous evening gowns.

Glamorous ____________________________________________________________________

6. Many televisions broadcast the closing ceremony last night.

The closing ____________________________________________________________________
7. They drive most of the celebrities by brand new limousines.
Most of celebrities _______________________________________________________________
8. The Academy might award Angelina another Oscar.
1. Angelina ____________________________________________________________________
2. Another Oscar _______________________________________________________________
9. They should have dubbed the winning film into Spanish.
The winning ___________________________________________________________________

10. Someone must solve the problem of the soundtrack immediately.

The problem ___________________________________________________________________

B. Write sentences using HAVE / GET + SOMETHING + DONE.

1. My watch is broken. (fix) You should have it fixed
2. This shopping is very heavy. (deliver) You can ___________________________________________
3. My table is scratched. (polish) You should ______________________________________________
4. Our neighbours ____________________________________ (a fence / build) around their garden.
5. I can’t talk now. I ____________________________________ (my nails / do) at the moment.
6. Go and ________________________________________ (your hair / cut) straight away!!
7. Sara’s stories are really good. (publish) She should _______________________________________
Activity 1 - Active or passive sentences? Write down
below whether the sentences are active or
passive.
1. Harry bought a new bag for school. __________________________

2. My bike was stolen by a burglar. __________________________

3. Collars are worn by many cats. __________________________

4. The restaurant critic tasted the ice-cream. __________________________

5. The dog is being chased by the cat. __________________________

Change these sentences from active to passive.

6. Katy lost the instructions for the game.

__________________________________________________________________________

7. The boy hid the stinky socks.

__________________________________________________________________________

8. Philip Pullman wrote ‘The Firework-Maker’s Daughter’.

__________________________________________________________________________

9. The band recorded a new single.

__________________________________________________________________________
1.-Jimmy ………………….………. (not injure) in the car accident yesterday.

2.-In western countries internet ……………………. (use) by millions of people every day.

3.-The car ……………………... (drive) carelessly by the young man when the accident
happened

4.-My parents ……………….. (telephone) by the head master last Friday morning.

5.-The photographs ……………usually……….….. (take) in a big studio in Barcelona.

6.-The thieves ………………… (arrest) by the police two days ago.

7.-The murder …………………… (send) to prison in 2009.

8.-The famous Brazilian footballer …………………. (interview) on TV next week.

9.-Stephanie ……………………. (fine) 1,000€ for hitting his husband two months ago.

10.-Scandalous articles ………………… (publish) on the Daily Mirror last Sunday.

11.-The Prime Minister …………………… (see) in a London pub with two attractive women.

12.- People …………………. (rescue) by a helicopter.

13.- The robbery …………….…… (investigate) at the moment by FBI.

 1. Choose
2.
3. Fill in the
Change the
correct
right
sentences
form
form into
of
of the
the
passive:
verb
verb in
in Passive
Passive Voice:
Voice:

1. They
This keys____
The street___
produce (loose)
a(call)
lot ofthe
by
carsst
1Bob in
Avenue.
Japan.
yesterday. a) were called A
b)lot
PASSIVE VOICE
is called
of cars ________ .in
c) Japan.
are called

2. My
Our
Theneighbour
cheap
plan___
flights___
(discuss)
will meet
(recommend)
next
meweek.
at the airport.
in summer.
a) was discussedI _______ PASSIVE VOICE
b) by
is discussed
my neighbour
c) will
at be
thediscussed
airport.

3. He
The
A new
has
telephone___
shoe
stolen
shop___
all the
(invent)
money
(build)infrom
next
1876.
year.
the bag. a) is invented All
b) will
thebe
money
invented
_______ c)
bywas
himinvented
from the bag.

1.
4. Choose
We
A lotare
Many the right (held)
ofparties___
recording
guests___ formnewof
a(invite) the
thisverb
inprogramme
every inhall.
large
year. Passive a)
now. Voice:
is invited b)new
A are invited
programme _______ c) wereby us
invited
now.
st
1. This street___ (call) the 1 Avenue. a) were called b) is called c) are called
5.
2. They
The University
Our window___
had printed
plan___ of(clean)
Oxford___
all the
(discuss) now.
documents.
next (found) in
week. . 1214. a)
a) is
wasbeing cleaned
discussedAll the documents
b)
b) will be cleaned
_______
is discussed bybe
c) will them.
c)discussed
was cleaned
3. The telephone___ (invent) in 1876. a) is invented b) will be invented c) was invented
4. A lot of guests___ (invite) every year. a) is invited b) are invited c) were invited
5. The window___ (clean) now. . a) is being cleaned b) will be cleaned c) was cleaned
6. This work___ (finish) tomorrow. a) was finished b) will be finished c) is finished
7. Hockey___(play) in winter. a) is played b) was played c) will be played
8. The letter___(deliver) yesterday. a) is delivered b) was delivered c) will be delivered
9. He___(take) straight to the hospital now. a) was taken b) will be taken c) is being taken

2. Fill in the correct form of the verb in Passive Voice:

3. Change the sentences into passive:
1. The keys____ (loose) by Bob yesterday.
1. They produce
2. The cheap a lot of cars in
flights___ Japan.
(recommend) in summer. A lot of cars ________ .in Japan.
3. A new shoe shop___ (build) next year.
2. My neighbour will meet me at the airport. I _______ by my neighbour at the airport.
4. Many parties___ (held) in this large hall.
3. He 5.
has stolen
The all the of
University money from the
Oxford___ bag. in 1214.
(found) All the money _______ by him from the bag.

4. We6.are
The first women’s
recording a newcollege in Cambridge___
programme now. (open) in 1871.
A new programme _______ by us now.
7. Almost all colleges ___ (mix) nowadays.
5. They had
8. A printed(divide)
year___ all the into
documents.
three terms. All the documents _______ by them.

6. He 9. His lectures___
mended our microwave(attend) by many students every year. Our microwave ________ by him yesterday.
yesterday.

3. Change the sentences into passive:

1. They produce a lot of cars in Japan. A lot of cars ________ .in Japan.
2. My neighbour will meet me at the airport. I _______ by my neighbour at the airport.
3. He has stolen all the money from the bag. All the money _______ by him from the bag.
4. We are recording a new programme now. A new programme _______ by us now.
5. They had printed all the documents. All the documents _______ by them.
6. He mended our microwave yesterday. Our microwave ________ by him yesterday.
7. You can make a report at this conference. A report _______ by you at this conference.
8. He should reward his colleagues. His colleagues ________ by him.
9. We could find berries everywhere. Berries_______ by us everywhere.

4. Read the text and fill in the correct form of the verbs:

Washington
Washington (to found) in 1790 and (to name) after the first US president, George Washington,
as the capital of the sovereign states, which (to call) the United States of America. Washington is the residence
of the President and the Congress of the USA. All government departments and numerous federal institutions
(to house) in the capital. The President's residence (to call) the White House and it is the oldest building of the
city. The Capitol, the seat of Congress, is the other main centre of the city. The two centres (to connect) by
Pennsylvania Avenue, the main business street of the city. The majority of the State Departments (to locate)
here. Washington belongs to the specially created Federal District of Columbia (D.C.). It (to use) always as the
scene for mass demonstrations, and rallies.
Keys:

Ex.1:

1– b; 2–c; 3–c; 4–b; 5–a; 6–b; 7–a; 8–b; 9–c

Ex.2

1.–were lost; 2. –are recommended; 3.–will be built; 4.–are held; 5.–was founded; 6.–was opened; 7.–are mixed;
8.– is divided; 9.–are attended

Ex.3

1.–are produced; 2.–shall be met; 3.–has been stolen; 4.–is being recorded; 5.–had been printed; 6.–was
mended; 7.–can be taken; 8.–should be rewarded; 9.–could be found

Ex.4

Washington

Washington was founded in 1790 and was named after the first US president, George Washington, as the capital of
the sovereign states, which were called the United States of America. Washington is the residence of the President
and the Congress of the USA. All government departments and numerous federal institutions are housed in the
capital. The President's residence is called the White House and it is the oldest building of the city. The Capitol, the
seat of Congress, is the other main centre of the city. The two centres are connected by Pennsylvania Avenue, the
main business street of the city. The majority of the State Departments are located here. Washington belongs to
the specially created Federal District of Columbia (D.C.). It is always used as the scene for mass demonstrations, and
rallies.
 I) Choose the correct answer:
re
1.- Margaret combs her hair in the morning.

Her hair combs/is combed by Margaret in the morning

2.-His brother is /was helped with the homework by John

3.-Carol is singing a nice song. A nice song is/are being sung by Carol

4.-The boy chose a good book. A good book is/was chosen by the boy.

5.- The Great Khan met/was met by Marco Polo in 1275.

6.- The printing press invented/was invented by Gutenberg in 1440.

7.- India led/was led to independence by Gandhi.

8.- Those pizzas were/is cooked by an Italian cook in Milan.

9.- This letter wrote/was written by my penfriend in Barcelona.

10.- The smugglers was/were caught by the FBI.

II) Write active sentences into the Passive: III) Write in the passive negative form

1.- Rosalyn is drinking a glass of milk. 1.- Sonia made her bed.

2.-Harry washes the dishes after dinner. 2.-Jennifer and Alice enjoyed the festival.

3.-The dogs are eating some bones. 3.-Thomas is sending emails.

4.-Miriam took beautiful photos last Sunday. 4.-Charles mends the machine.

5.-Mom is bathing the cat in the garden. 5.-I asked many questions.

6.-Theodor play golf with his dad. 6.-Philip grew vegetables in the orchard.

7.-Violet eats ice creams in Summer. 7.-Juan feeds the cows every day.

8.-We were watching the news on TV. 8.-The mechanic repaired my bike.

9.-Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet. 9.-Susan drew an enormous picture.

10.-The Americans elected Obama for president. 10.-The wasp bit my brother

11.-Julia told me the secret yesterday. 11.- Your father painted the house.
 COOK DISH WASH CAR SERVE DRINKS PLAY BOWLING

MAKE BED CAST A SPELL CLEAN CARPET READ BOOKS

CELEBRATE THANKSGING BUY A PAIR OF GLASSES

SWEEP THE FLOOR REPAIR THE CAR DINNER

ADOPT A DINOSAUR PLAY SAX TREAT ANIMALS RECEIVE A MOBILE

MATCH THESE SENTENCES WITH THE CORRECT PICTURES. THEN REWRITE
THEM IN THE PASSIVE VOICE:

Tony plays the sax every day.

Andrew served many drinks last night.

Mickey is going to make a cake.

Peter washed the car last weekend.

John is reading his favourite books.

The godmother has casted a spell on her niece.

Maria has recently bought a pair of white glasses.

The Indian girl celebrated thanksgiving in November.

Janet treats her animals very well in the Zoo.

I will buy a mobile phone next week.

My grandmother is sweeping the floor.

Mr. Flintstone adopted a dinosaur.

Antonia makes her bed every day.

Johnson repaired his car yesterday.

He is cleaning the carpet.

James plays bowling every weekend with his mates.

Key:

The sax is played every day by Tony.

Many drinks were served by Andrew last night.

A cake is going to be made by Mickey.

The car was washed by Peter last weekend.

John’s favourite books are being read by john.

A spell has been casted by the god mother on her niece.

A pair of white glasses has been recently bought by Maria.

Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Indian girl in November.

Janet’s animals are treated very well in the zoo by her.

A mobile phone will be bought next week (by me)

The floor is being swept by my grandmother.

A dinosaur was adopted by Mr. Flintstone.

The bed is made by Antonia every day.

The car was repaired by Mr. Johnson yesterday.

Bowling is played with his mates by James every weekend.

 Passive Voice
Change the following sentences into passive voice.

Simple Present

1- Maria cooks cookies.

---------------------------------------------------

2- Jose does not rides the blue car.

----------------------------------------------------

3- She cleans the big house everyday.

----------------------------------------------------

4- Michael desings beautiful houses in his job.

---------------------------------------------------------

5- They make pizza with delicious ingredients.

-----------------------------------------------------

Simple Past

1- She wrote the letter to her friend in France.

---------------------------------------------------------

2- Daniel made the homework yesterday at night.

----------------------------------------------------------

3- She left the house at midnight.

---------------------------------------------

4- Martha created a new story about her.

--------------------------------------------------

5- Jorge broke the glass.

--------------------------------------

Ask the following questions.

1- ________________________________________________________?

Yes, the story was create by her.

2-_________________________________________________________?

No, the toy was not painted by the boy.

3-___________________________________________________________?

The house was designed by Tom.

 Passive Voice

Indirect object

as subject

Peter is giving a cup of coffee to Grandpa .

Subject + verb + impersonal object + personal object

(direct object) (indirect object)

A * *: Grandpa is being given a cup of coffee(by Peter).

B: A cup of coffee is being given to Grandpa (by Peter)

A:* * Is more common in modern English.

When we have two objects in a sentence, we always take

the personal one –indirect object-(It’s the best way in
British English, though the other way could be accepted
too.)
Some verbs used in this Pattern.

ask, bring, buy ,cook , lend,offer,pay , promise, read

,sell, send ,show ,sing,take, teach, tell, throw, write

Now: Look at the pictures and write sentences in Passive Voice using
Indirect object as Subject.Choose the verbs in the box above.Pay attention
to the tense you use.
 Dina∕ a flower∕ Billy

Susan ∕ a dress∕ Diana

Susan Diana

Grandfather∕ the newborn ∕Dad

............................................................
.......................
 Amanda

Amanda∕ a photo ∕Liz

............................................................
.......................

Liz

The kids ∕ a short story ∕Lila

............................................................
.......................

Miss Bright∕an apple∕ Cindy

.................................................................................
..

Good Luck!