Passive Voice Exercises

ONE OBJECT
A. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the passive voice
1. The authorities decided that the meeting __________ next Wednesday. (HOLD)
2. The goods ___________to our house in the Midlands every Friday. (TRANSPORT)
3. The larger portrait ____________ by a well-known Flemish artist. (PAINT)
4. When I arrived I _________________ a note by one of the delegates. HAND)
5. Nothing ____________ of Pauline since her car accident last spring. (SEE)
6. I'll have to stay at home because our new furniture ____________. (DELIVER)
7. For the past few days I had to work in Jack's office because mine ____________ at
the moment. (REDECORATE)
8. I major new oil deposit ____________ in the North Sea recently.(DISCOVER)

TWO OBJECTS
Rewrite the following sentences in passive voice. Write both versions.

1. They offered him a good seat.




2. They told me the truth.




3. We will give a copy to our clients.




4. He promised us a better salary.



5. The police showed them a picture of the subject.




C. Choose two correct options.

1.
a) They sent to Steve a postcard.
b) A postcard was sent to Steve.
c) Steve was sent a postcard.
d) They were sent a postcard to Steve.
2.
a) A glass of wine brought to us.
b) They were brought a glass of wine to us.
c) We were brought a glass of wine.
d) A glass of wine was brought to us.
3.
a) The facts gave to the patient.
b) The facts were given to the patient.
c) The patient was given the facts.
d) The doctor were given the facts to the patient.
4.
a) Someone had been lent the vehicle to the robber he previous day.
b) The vehicle had lent to the robber the previous day.
c) The vehicle had been lent to the robber the previous day.
d) The robber had been lent the vehicle the previous day.
5.
a) Someone was sold Steve a fake Rolex.
b) A fake Rolex was sold to Steve.
c) A fake Rolex sold to Steve.
d) Steve was sold a fake Rolex.
ANSWERS

A.

1. The authorities decided that the meeting WILL BE HELD next Wednesday.

2. The goods ARE TRANSPORTED to our house in the Midlands every Friday.
3. The larger portrait WAS PAINTED by a well-known Flemish artist.
4. When I arrived I WAS HANDED a note by one of the delegates.
5. Nothing HAS BEEN SEEN of Pauline since her car accident last spring.
6. I'll have to stay at home because our new furniture IS BEING DELIVERED.
7. For the past few days I had to work in Jack's office because mine IS BEING REDECORATED at the
moment.
8. I major new oil deposit HAS BEEN DISCOVERED in the North Sea recently.

B.

1. They offered him a good seat.

 He was offered a good seat.

 A good seat was offered to him.

2. They told me the truth.

 I was told the truth.

 The truth was told to me.

3. We will give a copy to our clients.

 A copy was given to our clients.

 Our clients were given a copy.

4. He promised us a better salary.

 We were promised a better salary.

 A better salary was promised to us.

5. The police showed them a picture of the subject.

 They were shown a picture of the subject.

 A picture of the subject was shown to them.

C. Choose two correct options.

1.
a) They sent to Steve a postcard.
b) A postcard was sent to Steve.
c) Steve was sent a postcard.
d) They were sent a postcard to Steve.
2.

a) A glass of wine brought to us.

b) They were brought a glass of wine to us.
c) We were brought a glass of wine.
d) A glass of wine was brought to us.