Communicative English Skills I (Worksheet IV)

4. Active and Passive Voice

Voice refers to the form of a verb that indicates when a grammatical subject performs the action or is the receiver
of the action. When a sentence is written in the active voice, the subject performs the action; in the passive voice,
the subject receives the action. In academic writing, it is generally preferred to choose an active verb and pair it
with a subject that names the person or thing doing or performing the action. Active verbs are stronger and clearly
show who performs the action than forms of the verb “be” or verbs in the passive voice. Look at the following
examples:

Active: The chef prepares each meal with loving care.

Passive: Each meal is prepared with loving care by chef.

Active: Liz played the piano.

Passive: The piano was played by Liz.

Active: Thomas feeds his dog.

Passive: The dog is fed by Thomas.

Active: I have damaged your bicycle.

Passive: Your bicycle has been damaged

Active - Who appreciates him ?

Passive - By whom is he appreciated ?

Active -Are you attempting the quiz ?

Passive - Is the quiz being attempted by you ?

 In effect, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence. Although both sentences
have the same basic components, their structure makes them different from each other. Active sentences are about
what people (or things) do, while passive sentences are about what happens to people (or things).

 If you want to change an active-voice sentence to passive voice, consider carefully who or what is performing the
action expressed in the verb, and then make that agent the object of a "by the..." phrase. Make what is acted upon
the subject of the sentence, and change the verb to a form of be + past participle.

Example: The leaders are seeking a fair resolution to the crisis. (Active)
A fair resolution to the crisis is being sought by the leaders. (passive)

1
 If you want to change a passive-voice sentence to active voice, find the agent in a "by the..." phrase, or consider
carefully who or what is performing the action expressed in the verb. Make that agent the subject of the sentence,
and change the verb accordingly.

Example: The book was read by most of the students. (Passive)

Most of the students read the book. (Active)
In academic writing, it is generally preferred to choose an active verb and pair it with a subject that names the
person or thing doing or performing the action. Active verbs are stronger and clearly show who performs the
action than forms of the verb “be” or verbs in the passive voice. In other words, active voice is more direct and
concise than passive voice (which is wordier and awkward), or the passive voice is less direct, less forceful and
less concise than the active voice. However, the passive voice is appropriate when you don’t know or you don’t
want to reveal the actor/ subject, and when you want to emphasize on the receiver of the action than the actor (e.g
lab reports or research findings…etc)

Preliminary Exercise : Distinguishing between Active or Passive Voice

Indicate if the below sentences are in the passive or active voice.

1. I have never been to Wichita.

2. I have never been arrested.

3. The tower was built in 1802 by a French Artist.

4. Nothing happened.

5. No one was injured by the fire.

6. The award was given to the top student.

7. We decided not to hire anyone.

8. The pizza was delicious.

9. The pizza was ordered.

10. The pizza made me sick.

11. I was made sick by the pizza.

VERB TENSES USED IN ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

We make the passive voice by putting the verb 'to be' into whatever tense we need and then adding the past
participle (V3).

Tense Active Passive

present simple I make a cake. A cake is made (by me).
present continuous I am making a cake. A cake is being made (by me).
past simple I made a cake. A cake was made (by me).
2
 past continuous I was making a cake. A cake was being made (by me).
present perfect I have made a cake. A cake has been made (by me).
present perfect I have been making a cake. A cake has been being made (by me).
continuous
past perfect I had made a cake. A cake had been made (by me).
future simple I will make a cake. A cake will be made (by me).
future perfect I will have made a cake. A cake will have been made (by me).
Modals I can/could make a cake A cake can/could be made (by me)

4.2. Verbs with two objects in the passive voice

When an active sentence has two objects (direct and indirect), the passive sentence can begin with either object or
we can have two ways of constructing passive sentences. Notice that if the direct object becomes the subject of the
passive sentence, to is used before the indirect object, and if the indirect object becomes the subject, the usual type
of passive sentence will appear.
There are some verbs that use two objects. These are: -bring - owe -show -give -pay -take -hand -sell -teach -lend -
send -tell -offer -serve -write
Example: 1. They gave the actress an award. (Active)
An award was given to the actress
The actress was given an award
2. Someone has served the guest dinner.
Dinner has been served to the guest.
The guest has been served.
Exercise 1: Look at the examples above and change the Active sentences below into passive voice.
3. They will hand the actress the Oscar.
a…………………………………………………………………………
b………………………………………………………………………….
4. He sends you an invitation.
a……………………………………………………………………………..
b……………………………………………………………………………
5. The waiter was bringing us the bill.
a) …………………………………………………………
b) …………………………………………………………
6. The Queen presented him with a medal.
a. …………………………………………………………
b. …………………………………………………………
7. Her mother had bought Mary some sweets.
a. …………………………………………………………
b. …………………………………………………………
4.3. Transitive and Intransitive verbs

3
Most active verbs are followed by an object. They can be used in the active and passive voice. These verbs are
called transitive verbs.
E.g. 1. McCay created the first animation film. Walt Disney didn’t draw his cartoons. (Active)
The first animation film was created by McCay. His cartoons were not drawn by Walt Disney. (Passive)
However, some verbs have no object. We cannot use the passive voice with these verbs. These verbs are called
intransitive verbs. Some of these verbs are : agree Die look seem arrive Fall occur sleep Be Go rain stay become
Happen recover walk come Live remain Work…etc Look at the following sentences with intransitive verbs, and
we cannot change them into passive voice.
Examples: 1. Disney lived in Hollywood most of the time.(No change)
2. He became famous when he created Mickey Mouse. (No change)
3. He worked with many artists. (No change)
4. Cahrle Caplin was a famous actor. He died many years back. (No change)

N:B Imperative Sentence

Imperative sentences are those that communicate orders, requests, commands, proposals, and so on. With or without
an object, the passive version of imperative phrases begins.

Let + object +be + past participle = passive form (With object).

If a sentence starts with 'You are instructed/ advised/ requested?' use the passive form (no object).

……. etc. As an example,

Active - Take your medication on time.

Passive - You are advised to take medication on time.

Active voice - Let me serve there.

Passive voice- I may be permitted to serve there.

Exercise 1: Rewrite the Active sentences into Passive.

1. He remembers his grandmother………………………………………………………………….
2. The actress didn’t wear a gown………………………………………………………………….
3. The children have played football………………………………………………………………..
4. Someone tells the students the answer………………………………………………………….
5. I drank two cups of coffee………………………………………………………………………
6. Does the company make many movies?........................................................................................
7. The man had written a new book…………………………………………………………………
8. They have shown us the movie…………………………………………………………………..
9. He is installing a new software. ……………………………………………………………………

4
 10. Had the company nominated the director?.....................................................................................
11. They will develop a new type of soap……………………………………………………………
12. Did someone give you the key?.....................................................................................................
13. The lady was making dress for long time………………………………………………………..
14. Can you see the movie on DVD?...................................................................................................
15. I have been reading the book……………………………………………………………………..
16. They aren’t going to pick the best movie………………………………………………………….
17. The teachers had taken the students to the circus………………………………………………….
18. A thief may steal my money……………………………………………………………………
19. Stop talking…………………………………………………………………………..
20. Submit your assignment on time……………………………………..
Exercise 2: Rewrite the following passive paragraph to Active voice
A ghost was seen on the third floor of the library last week, when the library was about to be closed for the night.
Odd noises were heard, a chill was felt, and then it was said to appear coming out of study carrel. It asked if the
exam was being given tomorrow, and if its notebook had been found yet? Screams were heard down on the first
floor, and the situation was investigated quickly. A student was found sprawled out in front of a study carrel,
surrounded by papers and an old notebook. The notebook had been opened to a page where notes were written
from October 27. After some investigation, it was found that the notebook was from 1903, and had belonged to a
student who had died on October 27, 1903, on the third floor of the library, while he was studying for a chemistry
exam. The cause of death was determined to be frustration.

Exercise 3: Look at the subject and verb to determine if it is an active or passive sentence. Then add the
appropriate verb. Be careful with intransitive verbs (verbs that do not have an object – they cannot be used
in the passive voice.)

1. That car looks like it has never _______________ (wash).

2. If I were you, I would _______________ (contact) a lawyer.

3. Have you _______________ (inform) yet about the new policy?

4. Unfortunately, the budget has _______________ (not/approve) yet.

5. A smile _______________ (appear) on her face.

6. We _______________ (wait) for 30 minutes. Where is the bus?

7. The performance _______________ (happen) right now. Let’s go.

8. I’ll be happy if our plan _______________ (succeed).

9. The server _______________ (order) to clean up the mess he had made.

10. The judge ordered that smoking _______________ (prohibit) in restaurants.

11. His grandfather _______________ (pass away) years ago.

5
12. The airplane, which _______________ (operate) by Singapore Airlines, _______________ (fly) by an
experienced pilot.

13. I wouldn’t have complained if the food _______________ (not/be) overcooked.

Exercise 4: Choose the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

FIAT__________ (started/was started) by a group of Italian businessmen in 1899. In 1903, Fiat, ___________
(produced/was produced) 132 cars. Some of these cars ___________ (exported/were exported) by the company to
the United States and Britain.
In 1920, Fiat ___________ (started/was started) making cars at a new factory at Lingotto, near Turin. There was a
track on the roof where the cars ___________ (tested/were tested)by technicians. In 1936, Fiat launched the Fiat
500. This car______________(called/was called) the Topolino – the Italian name for Mickey Mouse. The company
grew, and in 1963 Fiat ___________ (exported/was exported) more than 300,000 vehicles. Today, Fiat is based in
Turin, and its cars ________ (sold/are sold) all over the world.
Exercise 5. Underline and write the appropriate Active or Passive form of the verb given in the brackets in
the blank spaces
Last summer our house __________ (painted/ was painted) by me. The job___________ (took/ was taken ) about
two weeks. First, the exterior was washed using warm water and a mild detergent. Then all the chinks and pores in
the walls _____________ ( sealed/ were sealed ) with putty. After the putty had had a chance to dry, the exterior
could be painted. I_____________(used/ was used ) a latex paint because it is easy to apply and cleans up with
water. A whole week ____________ (needed / was needed) to finish this part of the job. I was very careful to apply
the paint evenly because I did not want to have to apply two coats. A colour was used that was very close to the
original one. Our house is a two-story house, which meant that I_______ (needed/ was needed) a tall ladder to do
the second floor. The paint can have to be balanced on the top rung of the ladder while I worked. When the job
_________ (finishes/ was finished), a great deal of satisfaction __________ (felt/ was felt) by me. Even my dad
said that a good job _________ (did/ was done).
Exercise 6: Write the correct tense and voice form of the verbs given in the bracket and make the paragraph
sensible
Hospitals are places where people ……………………………………. (examine) and
……………………………… (bring) back to good health. I’m lucky because I …………………
……………………(never / take) to hospital when she …………………………… (hit) by a car last month. Luckily
no bones ………………………….. (break) but she ………………………… (examine) carefully and x-rays
………………………………… (take). She …………………….. (keep) there for a night and she
………………………………….. (give) permission to leave the next day. Ambulance services are also important.
Patients …………………………… (must / take) to hospital as quickly as possible. A lot of people
………………………………… (kill) in road accidents and a lot more ……………………………………. (injure)
but if more ambulances …………………………………. (put) into service, more lives
……………………………….. (can / save).
6
5. Vocabulary: English Collocations

A collocation is a group of two or more words that are almost always put together to create a specific
meaning. These combinations just sound "right" to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On
the other hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong". Collocations can be made
up of any kinds of words such as verbs, nouns, adverbs and adjectives.

For example you can say “take a nap” but you can’t say “do a nap” or “make a nap”. A quick shower is a
meaningful collocation in English, but we can’t use “a fast shower”. We can say also “heavy rain” but not
“strong rain” because it does not sound right' likewise, we can say ‘'do exercise'’ but not “make exercise'’.

Here are a few short lists of common collocations:

have do make

have a bath do business make a difference

have a drink do nothing make a mess
have a good time do someone a favor make a mistake
have a haircut do the cooking make a noise
have a holiday do the housework make an effort
have a problem do the shopping make furniture
have a relationship do the washing up make money
have a rest do your best make progress
have lunch do your hair make room
have sympathy do your homework make trouble

7
take break catch

take a break break a habit catch a ball

take a chance break a leg catch a bus
take a look break a promise catch a chill
take a rest break a record catch a cold
take a seat break a window catch a thief
take a taxi break someone's heart catch fire
take an exam break the ice catch sight of
take notes break the law catch someone's attention
take someone's place break the news to someone catch someone's eye
take someone's temperature break the rules catch the flu

pay save keep

pay a fine save electricity keep a diary

pay attention save energy keep a promise
pay by credit card save money keep a secret
pay cash save one's strength keep an appointment
pay interest save someone a seat keep calm
pay someone a compliment save someone's life keep control
pay someone a visit save something to a disk keep in touch
pay the bill save space keep quiet
pay the price save time keep someone's place
pay your respects save yourself the trouble keep the change

8
come go get

come close go abroad get a job

come complete with go astray get a shock
come direct go bad get angry
come early go bald get divorced
come first go bankrupt get drunk
come into view go blind get frightened
come last go crazy get home
come late go dark get lost
come on time go deaf get married
come prepared go fishing get nowhere
come right back go mad get permission
come second go missing get pregnant
come to a compromise go on foot get ready
come to a decision go online get started
come to an agreement go out of business get the impression
come to an end go overseas get the message
come to a standstill go quiet get the sack
come to terms with go sailing get upset
come to a total of go to war get wet
come under attack go yellow get worried

Time Business English Classifiers

bang on time annual turnover a ball of string

dead on time bear in mind
early 12th century break off negotiations a bar of chocolate
free time cease trading
from dawn till dusk chair a meeting a bottle of water
great deal of time close a deal

9
Time Business English Classifiers

late 20th century close a meeting a bunch of carrots

make time for come to the point
next few days dismiss an offer a cube of sugar
past few weeks draw a conclusion
right on time draw your attention to a pack of cards
run out of time launch a new product
save time lay off staff a pad of paper
spare time go bankrupt
spend some time go into partnership
take your time make a loss
tell someone the time make a profit
time goes by market forces
time passes sales figures
waste time take on staff

10