The document discusses passive voice, including its use and formation. Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action rather than the subject performing the action. It is formed by using some form of the verb "to be" plus the past participle of the main verb. Only transitive verbs can be used in the passive construction. Tense and voice (active or passive) are indicated for regular and modal verbs. Exercises provide practice identifying active and passive voice and rewriting active sentences in the passive voice.

1. PASSIVE VOICE
USE: Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is
performing the action Example 1: My bike was stolen.
In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.
Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:
Example 2: A mistake was made.
In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).
FORM: Subject + 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)
Only transitive verbs can be used in the passive construction.
.
TENSE
present
past
future
Simple
Present
Past
Future
present
past
future
Continuous
present
past
future
Modals
ACTIVE
Make/makes
Made
Will make
Am/Is/are going to make
Has/have made
perfect Had made
Will have made
Am/Is/are making
Was/were making
Will be making
Have/has been making
perfect Had been making
Will have been making
Can/could make
may/ might make
shall/ should/ought to make
will/would make
must make
PASSIVE
Am/Is/are made
Was/were made
Will be made
Am/Is/are going to be made
Has/have been made
Had been made
Will have been made
Am/Is/are being made
Was/were being made
Will be being made
Have/has been being made
Had been being made
Will have been being made
Can/could be made
may/might be made
shall/ should/ought (to) be made
will/would be made
must be made

2. PASSIVE VOICE EXERCISES
I.
WRITE “A” OR “P” IF THE SENTENCES ARE IN ACTIVE OR PASSIVE VOICE (1/4 EACH – 5)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
They listen to music.
She is reading an e-mail.
These cars are produced in Japan.
Alan teaches Geography.
German is spoken in Austria.
You might see dolphins here.
Henry Ford invented the assembly
7.
line.
8. The bus driver was hurt.
9. You should open your workbooks.
10. Houses have been built.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Boys like to play soccer.
This room has been painted blue.
Cricket is played in Australia.
I have given a book.
We have lost our keys.
Lots of houses were destroyed by the earthquake.
17.
The report must be completed by next Friday.
18.
19.
20.
They were singing a song.
A letter was written to her.
The bike is being repaired.
I.
REWRITE THE ACTIVE SENTENCES IN PASSIVE VOICE (1 EACH – 20)
1. Mr. Jones watches the film.
___________________________________________________
2. The people speak English.
___________________________________________________
3. People read comics.
___________________________________________________
4. The man stole the blue car.
___________________________________________________
5. The teacher told us a joke.
___________________________________________________
6. Rose gave me a gift.
___________________________________________________
7. The boy is kissing the girl.
___________________________________________________
8. Michael has not sent a text message.
___________________________________________________
9. They will meet Doris at the station.
___________________________________________________
10. Somebody built the house last year.
___________________________________________________
11. Physicians have studied Einstein’s Theories
for 40 years.
___________________________________________________
12. Colon found America in 1492.
___________________________________________________
th
13. Bolivar freed Venezuela in the 19 century.
___________________________________________________
14. Mary will water the plants tomorrow.
___________________________________________________
15. That boy didn’t steal that watch last night.
___________________________________________________
16. Many people visit Washington.
___________________________________________________
17. James Hoban built the White House .
___________________________________________________
18. Pennsylvania Avenue connects the White House
and the Capitol.
___________________________________________________
19. In the Capitol, workers are building a visitors
center.
20. They will probably finish the building soon.
___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________