The document discusses the passive voice in English. It explains that in the passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject and the verb is changed to "be" plus the past participle. Modal verbs, imperative sentences, phrasal verbs, and sentences with direct and indirect objects are discussed in terms of changing them to the passive voice. Examples are provided throughout to illustrate the rules.

1. Form
Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)
Example: A letter was written.
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:
 the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)
Use With Modal verbs:
The verbs can, could, may, might, and must are
The passive voice is used: known modal verbs. As per the following
methods these sentences with these verbs are
1. If the action is more important then the changed into passive voice.
agent. Examples:
A demonstration has been held. This theatre • You can take the book. (Active voice)
was built in 1868. • The book can be taken by you. (Passive Voice).
The important thing is what happened, not
Imperative sentences (Commands and
requests) Phrasal verbs:
Few verbs, with certain meanings
There is special formula for changing the are always used with prepositions.
imperative sentence into passive voice. In such situations the prepositions
• Please open the door. (Active voice) should not be omitted in the
• Let the door be opened by you. (Passive sentences.
Voice) Examples:
Here the sentence in active-voice has been • We are looking at the game.
changed into a sentence in passive-voice. (Active voice)
Please understand the formula which has been • The game is being looked at by
followed to change the active-voice to passive- us. (Passive Voice).
voice.
“Let” is used to convert the active voice
sentence into a passive voice sentence. Direct and indirect objects
• Do not mistake me. (Active voice) If there are both objects in a sentence, the
• Let me not be mistaken. (Passive Voice) indirect object becomes the subject in the
• Cut your nails. (Active voice)
passive voice.
• Let your nails be cut. (Passive Voice)
Active: My friend sent me a letter.
Passive: I was sent a letter by my friend.
(Not: A letter was sent to me by my friend.
The infinitive without to This sentence does not sound natural in
English.)
In the active voice some verbs are followed by the Similarly: They offer Trevor a place. -
infinitive without to. In the passive we use most Trevor is offered a place.
such verbs with the infinitive with to.
Active: We saw them come. She made him do it.
Passive: They were seen to come. He was made to
do it.
But: They let us go. - We were let go.

2. Turn the following sentences into the passive voice:
1- The teacher punished John because he didn’t do his homework.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
2- People should not speak about their private affairs in public.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
3- The guests were carrying the chairs out into the garden.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
4- I will have booked you a room before you arrive in Paris.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
5- They’ve eaten all the food and drunk all the wine.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
6- People must leave their wet umbrellas in the hall.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
7- Somebody must have taken my books when I wasn’t in the room.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
8- My father promised me a motorbike if I pass my exams.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Correct the mistakes in these passive voice sentences.
Example: The house was build in 1880. (correct = The house was built in
1880.)
1. Your jacket can be hang up over there.
2. Thirty more people were layed off last week.
3. The protesters being held back by the police.
4. The old cinema is being pull down.
5. The keys must have been being left behind.
6. The criminal were locked up.
7. An idea was putted forward for discussion
8. The road was blocking off.
. Put in the correct form of the verb in Passive into the gaps. Use the verb and the tense given in
brackets.
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)