English 301

PRACTICE 3
THE PASSIVE VOICE

➢ FORM
Verb to be + Past participle of the main verb

➢ USES
1. When we are more interested in the action that in the subject who did it
2. When we don’t know who did the action
3. When it’s obvious who did the action
4. When the action is a law

● Sentences in passive voice can or cannot have an agent depending whether the information is
important or not.

➢ EXERCISES
1. Put in the correct form of the verb in Passive into the gaps. Use the verb and the tense given
in brackets.
a. The words are explained by the teacher today. (to explain - Simple Present)
b. We sent a letter the day before yesterday. (to send - Simple Past)
c. This car will not be stolen. It's too old. (not/to steal - will-future)
d. This street has already been closed because of snow. (already/to close - Present
Perfect)
e. A new restaurant would be open next week. (to open - will-future)
f. He was invited to the party yesterday. (to invite - Simple Past)
g. The blue box cannot be seen. (can/not/to see - Simple Present)
h. I was given the book by my friend last Sunday. (to give - Simple Past)
i. The dishes haven’t been washed by my little brother. (not/to wash - Present Perfect)
j. I won’t be asked by Robert. (not/to ask - will-future)

2. Make questions from the passive sentences in brackets.

a. (That car was made in Germany.)
Was the car made in Germany?
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b. (Mary was examined by the doctor this morning.)

Who was examined by the doctor this morning?

c. (The food will be prepared on Friday.)

When will the food be prepared?

d. (This window has been broken three times.)

How many times has the window been broken?

3. Transform these active sentences to passive. Use the phrase with by.
a. Your manager must write the report.
The report must be written by your manager.

b. The children are organizing the Christmas party.

The Christmas party is being organized by the children.

c. The French team has won the silver medal.

The silver medal has been won by the French team.

d. A woman was training the guard dogs.

The guard dogs have been trained by a woman.

4. Write a 50-word paragraph presenting one popular festival from your country or from
abroad: date of creation, day of celebration. place, traditions, gastronomy, etc. (make sure to
use the passive voice form and underline them). Paste a picture to illustrate.

Name of the festival Giant Fireplace

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Picture

The Giant Chimneys of the Municipality of Trinidad, Department of Santa Barbara are an
ephemeral cultural artistic festival that takes place in the month of December each year, with a
special theme. The festival was inaugurated on December 8, 2001, and it have been celebrated
every year. It’s such a great experience to be there and enjoy all the activities they planned.

Source https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Chimeneas_Gigantes_de_Trinidad_(Honduras)
https://es-la.facebook.com/comitechimenerostecos/