The document discusses the passive voice and provides examples of converting sentences from active to passive voice. It includes exercises where the reader is asked to fill in blanks with the appropriate passive construction. The exercises cover a range of topics and tense forms to practice using the passive voice. Correct use of passive constructions is important when the agent is unknown, not important to the meaning, or to be discreet about the agent's identity by focusing on the action instead of who performed it.

1. The passive [+]
Gap-Fill Exercise
Sometimes a passive construction is preferred to an active. This is especially so when
the agent of the active sentence is unknown, not relevant or if we want to be discreet as
to his or her identity. Whereas in active sentences the focus is on the agent, in passive
sentences the focus is on the action.
In the following sentences a passive would be appropriate. Fill in the passive
construction in the gap that is provided.
1. Someone told me that you bake the best bread in town, sir.
I ___________________ that you bake the best bread in town, sir.
2. They have planted thousands of trees alongside the E19 motorway.
Thousands of trees __________________ alongside the E19 motorway.
3. They will crown Eddy Merckx sportsman of the century.
Eddy Merckx __________________ sportsman of the century.
4. They have to work out a publicity campaign to restore the image of Belgium in the
world.
A publicity campaign __________________ to restore the image of Belgium in the
world.
5. They should do everything to bring war criminals to justice.
Everything __________________ to bring war criminals to justice.
Complete the following sentences with a correct passive construction.
1. We require suitable candidates to be bilingual.
Suitable candidates __________________ to be bilingual.
2. The Chairman of the Board asked the Managing Director to remain in charge for
another year.
The Managing Director __________________ to remain in charge for another year.
3. The entire press corps is interviewing him right now.
He __________________ right now.
4. They must have stolen the painting between 2 and 3 am
The painting __________________ between 2 and 3 am
5. Didn't anyone tell you to wear a jacket and tie in the restaurant ?
__________________ to wear a jacket and tie in the restaurant ?
Complete the following sentences with a correct passive construction.
1. They will have to rebuild the entire front of the prototype.
The entire front of the prototype__________________.
2. Nobody has ever called me 'Honeypop'!
I __________________ 'Honeypop'!
3. I haven't decided on anything yet.
Nothing __________________ yet.
4. Someone had told me that the road works caused delays.
I __________________ that the road works caused delays.
5. People sometimes say that every cloud has a silver lining.
It __________________ that every cloud has a silver lining.

2. Complete the following passive constructions with the appropriate verb forms.
1. Active: People believe that he was the first.
Passive: He __________________________ the first.
2. A: He doesn't like people looking at him while he performs.
P: He __________________________ while he performs.
3. A: We suppose that you will be at the meeting in time this time.
P: You __________________________ at the meeting in time this time.
4. A: They made us work.
P: We __________________________ work.
5. A: Someone is watching you!
P: You__________________________!
Complete the following passive constructions with the appropriate tense forms.
1. Don't use the elevator in case of a fire.
The elevator __________________________ in case of a fire.
2. We will have to get a plumber to fix it.
We will__________________________.
3. He shouldn't have told her.
She__________________________.
4. Everyone knows that the most popular politicians are not always the most
conscientious.
The most popular politicians __________________________ the most conscientious.
5. They found that team B had cheated.
Team B__________________________.
6. I expect people to treat me as any country boy.
I expect __________________________ as any country boy.
Which Verb Form belongs in the Sentence - Been or Being?
1. Several new drugs are ________________ used to stop the spread of AIDs
2. Too many innocent people have ________________ dying
3. Scientists have ________________ working to find a cure
4. Everyone is ________________ warned to be cautious
5. A combination of drugs has ________________ used to fight the disease
6. Some of the victims have ________________ children
7. ________________ diagnosed with AIDs is tragic news.
8. Patients are ________________ given a "cocktail" of drugs in early stages .
9. Everything possible is ________________ done to find a cure

3. Choose the appropriate verb to complete these sentences
1 There was a big fight in the hotel night club but nobody got ______.
hurt told given seen invited
2 How did that window get ______?
hurt broken given seen invited
3 I was there for more than three hours without even being ______ a cup of tea.
kept offered given seen invited
4 100,000 babies ______ born in this hospital every year.
is are would be were have been
5 Unless you start working more, you'll get ______.
hurt broken sacked seen invited
6 I don't mind giving presentations but I don't like being ______ questions
afterwards.
asked told given seen invited
7 You shouldn't steal paper from the company. You'll get into big trouble if you
get ______.
hurt broken sacked caught invited
8 I was sitting quietly in the garden at home and I got ______ by a bee.
hurt broken sacked caught stung
9 We spent a lot of money installing a company gym and it hardly gets ______ at
all.
used broken sacked caught stung
10 He came along to the meeting without being ______ .
kept told given seen invited
11 I ______ born in London.
am am being was was being is
12 I used to own a Rolex watch but it got ______ .
used broken stolen caught stung
13 I would have liked to have taken the London job but I didn't get ______ it.
used offered stolen caught stung
14 I'm a bit upset today. My dog got ______ over by a car.
used offered stolen run stung
15 I like my job but I don't get ______ very much so I'm thinking of leaving.
used offered stolen run paid
16 I don't like being ______ waiting.
kept offered stolen run paid

4. 17 Where ______ you born?
are was were have will
18 I don't like being ______ what to do all the time. I prefer to use my own
initiative.
kept told stolen run paid
19 I remember being ______ the letter to post but I don't remember posting it.
kept told given run paid
Gap-fill exercise on the Passive Voice.
1. Someone has been eating my spaghetti.
My spaghetti______________________.
2. Someone robbed the old lady in a dark alley.
The old lady ______________________in a dark alley.
3. Someone had helped the old man.
The old man______________________.
4. Someone left the freezer open.
The freezer ______________________open.
5. Someone murdered Lumumba.
Lumumba______________________.
6. Someone would give us some help.
We ______________________.some help.
7. Everyone will receive a letter.
A letter______________________.
8. Someone is eating my breakfast and I can't prevent it.
My breakfast ______________________and I can't prevent it.
9. They grow bananas in South America.
Bananas ______________________ in South America.
10.Has someone already found the solution?
______________________ the solution already______________________.?
Make the next sentences passive. Complete the gaps.
1. An uneasy silence succeeded the announcement of his departure.
The announcement of his departure ______________________ by an uneasy silence.
2. Did that girl interest you?
______________________ you ______________________(in) by that girl?

5. 3. The lawyer gave them the details of his last will.
The details of his last will ______________________by the lawyer.
4. We will not admit children under fourteen.
Children under fourteen ______________________ not______________________..
5. Someone has already asked him to give up smoking.
He ______________________ already ______________________ to give up smoking.
6. Most birds build nests in May.
Nests ______________________ by most birds in May.
7. The howling wind kept him awake.
He ______________________ awake by the howling wind.
8. Nicole Kidman was to have opened the international film festival in Gent.
The international film festival in Gent ______________________ by Nicole Kidman.
9. The decision of the minister will make a lot of people angry.
A lot of people ______________________ angry by the decision of the minister.
10. Volunteers of the Red Cross are doing a lot of good work.
A lot of good work ______________________ by volunteers of the Red Cross.