Passive Verbs
145. PASSIVE VERB FORMS
Change the verb to the active voice and rewrite the sentence. Be sure to keep the same tense. In some cases, it will be necessary to supply a subject (see the second example).
1. The books were taken by John.
John took the books.
2. The boxes were mailed today.
He mailed the boxes today.
3. The two packages were opened by my secretary.
My secretary opened the two packages.
4. Our homework is corrected by our teacher.
Our teacher corrects our homework.
5. Two buildings have been constructed by that company.
That company had constructed two buildings.
6. That room wasn’t cleaned carefully yesterday.
He didn’t clean that room carefully yesterday.
7. The truck is being loaded by the men now.
The men are loading the truck now.
8. Was that machine checked by the inspector?
Did the inspector check that machine?
9. Will that report be written by the same committee?
Will the same committee write that report?
10. Has the news been announced by the president yet?
Has the president announced the news yet?
11. The mail is delivered to this office twice a day.
This office receives the mail twice a day.
12. All of us were surprised by his frank attitude.
His frank attitude surprised all of us.
13. Was the repair work done by the mechanic?
Did the mechanic do the repair work?
14. He wasn’t very much respected by the employees.
The employees didn’t respect him very much.
15. Are many courses in English given during the summer?
Are they giving many courses in English during the summer?
146. USING PASSIVE VERBS
Change the verb to the passive voice and rewrite the sentence. Be sure to keep the same tense.
1. He signed the letter.
The letter was signed by him.
2. The secretary opens the mail every morning.
The mails is opened by the secretary every morning.
3. The committee is considering that proposal right now.
That proposal is being considered by the committee right now.
4. The army will complete that project next year.
That project will be completed by the army next year.
5. His boss has transferred him to another department.
He has been transferred to another department by his boss.
6. Will the company distribute the announcements?
Will the announcements be distributed by the company?
7. An artist wrote that interesting article about Paris.
That interesting article about Paris was written by an artist.
8. Today a large number of people speak English.
English is spoken by a large number of people today.
9. Didn’t they return those books to the library?
Were those books not return by them to the library?
10. The government has not changed that regulation yet.
That regulation has not been changed by the government yet.
11. Someone stole all her valuable jewelry last night.
All her valuable jewelry were stolen by someone last night.
12. Miss Peters wrote all of the reports for Mr. Johnson.
All of the reports were written my Miss Peters for Mr. Johnson.
13. Bad weather has delayed Flight 202 from Miami.
Flight 202 from Miami has been delayed due to bad weather.
14. Did the court divide the money among the children?
Were the money divided by the court among the children?
15. Many scholars have translated that famous Greek epic.
That famous Greek epic has been translated by many scholars.
147. ACTIVE vs PASSIVE
Use the correct voice (active or passive) and the correct tense of verb in each sentence.
1. Everyone (shock) by the terrible news yesterday.
Active : The terrible news was shocked everyone yesterday.
2. Almost everyone (enjoy) the lecture last night.
Passive : The lecture was enjoyed by almost everyone last night.
3. English (teach) in the schools of almost every nation.
Active : English taught in the schools of almost every nation.
4. That proposal (consider) by the members right now.
Passive : That proposal is considering by the members right now.
5. The accident (happen) right here at 6:30 last night.
Active : The accident happened right here at 6:30 last night.
6. Smith (teach) at the University of Washington since 1948.
Active : Smith has taught at the University of Washington since 1948.
7. Mr. Harris (divide) the class into two sections tomorrow.
Passive : The class will be divided into two sections by Mr. Harris tomorrow.
8. Wilson (borrow) the money from Brown two weeks ago.
Active : Wilson borrowed the money from Brown two weeks ago.
9. Not much (say) about the matter since that time.
Active : Not much said about the matter since that time.
10. My friend (write) to me about it several times now.
Active : My friend is writing to me about it several times now.
11. Davis (promote) to the rank of sergeant last week.
Active : Davis was promoted to the rank of sergeant last week.
12. That event (occur) shortly after the meeting last week.
Active : That event occurred shortly after the meeting last week.
13. All the students (bring) guests to the party tomorrow night.
Passive : Guests will be brought by all the students to the party tomorrow night.
14. Less than half of the cans of paint (use) up to now.
Passive : The cans of paint is being used less than half up to now.
15. More classes in English (list) in the catalog next fall.
Passive : The catalog will be listed more classes in English next fall.
16. Everything (go) well so far. There (be) no trouble yet.
Active : Everything is going well so far. There is no trouble yet.
17. That movie about Napoleon’s life (disappoint) me greatly.
Active : That movie about Napoleon’s life disappointed me greatly.
18. The mail (deliver, always) to this office before 10 a.m.
Active : The mail is always deliver to this office before 10 a.m.
19. Who (furnish) the food for the picnic next weekend?
Active : Who will furnish the food for the picnic next weekend?
20. At this time, much attention (devote) to that problem.
Active : At this time, much attention is devoting to that problem.
21. Think carefully. I’m sure you (remember) his name.
Active : Think carefully. I’m sure you remember his name.
22. We (treat) very kindly by our hosts last Saturday.
Active : Our hosts were treated us very kindly last Saturday.
23. Mr. Wilson (make) something interesting statements yesterday.
Passive : Something interesting statements were made by Mr. Wilson yesterday.
24. A new textbook (publish) by that company next year.
Active : That company will publish a new textbook next year.
25. The noise from the trains (annoy) me terribly last night.
Active : The noise from the trains annoyed me terribly last night.
26. That old red house (build) in the year 1822.
Active : That old red house was built in the year 1822.
27. The report (examine, not) by a committee of experts yet.
Active : A committee of expert has not examine the report yet.
28. Cocktails (serve) to the guests about 10 minutes from now.
Passive : Cocktails will be served to the guests about 10 minutes from now.
29. His sharp remarks (embarrass) everyone last night.
Active : His sharp remarks embarrassed everyone last night.
30. Fred (introduce) to the fellow by Mr. Brown yesterday.
Active : Mr. Brown introduced Fred to the fellow yesterday.
31. Listen to this! I think this news (surprise) you!
Active : Listen to this! I think this news will surprise you!
32. The Ajax Shoe Company (employ) 25 new men next month.
Active : The Ajax Shoe Company will employ 25 new men next month.
33. Only 25 new students (admit) into the department in 1955.
Active : Only 25 new students were admitted into the department in 1955.
34. A second coat of paint (spread) over that surface tomorrow.
Active : A second coat of paint will spread over that surface tomorrow.
