PASSIVE VOICE

DAY 12
 Answer the questions
• Who were born in Jakarta?
• Who has been appointed to be the minister of Health?
• Who has been given a bonus this year?
• Who were given a birthday present?
• Who is always blamed?
• What is always forgotten?
• What movies are being played?
• What competitions are always watched?
• What is expected this year?
 Example 1
Jim took this photograph.
This photograph was taken by Jim

• A : This is really a good photograph of you.

• B : I think so, too.
• A : Who took it?
• B : I’m not sure. I think it was taken by my
uncle George.
 Example 1
• A : This is a very sad poem.
• B : I think so, too.
• A : Who wrote it?
• B : I’m not sure. I think it was written by
Shakespeare.
 Practice 1
1. This is a beautiful sonata. - (compose)
2. This is really an exciting movie. – (direct)
3. This is a very funny political cartoon. (draw)
4. This is a very fine portrait of you. – (paint)
5. This is an impressive bridge. - (build)
6. This is a magnificent building. – (design)
7. This is a very strange computer. – (program)
 Example 2
Somebody has fed the cat.
The cat has been fed.

• A : Do you want me to feed Rover?

• B : No. Don’t worry about it. He’s already
been fed.
 Example 2
Somebody has turned off the lights.
The lights have been turned off.

• A : Do you want me to turn off the lights?

• B : No. Don’t worry about it. The lights have
been turned off.
 Practice 2
1. Make the bed
2. Send the packages
3. Do the dishes
4. Hide the presents
5. Freeze the leftover chicken
6. Wake the children
7. Sing the national anthem
 Example 3
Somebody is repairing my car.
My car is being repaired.

• A : Hello. Is this Joe’s Auto Repair Shop?

• B : Yes, it is. Can I help you?
• A : Yes, please. This is Mrs. Jones. I’m calling about my
car. Has it been repaired yet?
• B : Not yet. It’s being repaired right now.
• A : Can I pick it up soon?
• B : Yes. Come by at four o’clock. I’m sure it’ll be ready by
then.
 Pattern

Active ●
subject + verb

subject + be + verb
●

Passive 3
Practice 3: Complete the following passive voice
sentences in the tenses suggested.
1. This picture (always admire). – present
– This picture is always admired
2. His leg (hurt) in an accident. – past
3. This exercise (do) very carefully. – present continuous
4. The box (not open) for the last hundred years. –
present perfect
5. The tower of London (formerly use) as a prison. – past
6. Two of my dinner plates (break). – present perfect
7. A big battle (fight) here 200 years ago. – past
Practice 3: Complete the following passive voice
sentences in the tenses suggested.
8. You (invite) to lunch tomorrow. – present perfect
9. This play (forget) in a few years’ time. – future ‘will’
10.The bridge (build) last year. – past
11.My brother (never beat) at tennis. – present perfect
12.English (speak) all over the world. – present tense
13.Any questions (ask) about me? – past
14.The answers must (write) on one side of the paper
only. – modals must
Practice 3: Complete the following passive voice
sentences in the tenses suggested.
15.These books must (not take away). – modals must
16.I (punish) for something I didn’t do. – past
17.Milk (use) for making butter and cheese. – present
18.A pupil (praise) when he works hard. – present
19.The stolen car (find) in another town. – present
perfect
20.Hats and coats can (leave) in the cloakroom. –
modals can
 Pattern#1
ACTIVE FORM PASSIVE FORM

Simple Present
They teach English in high schools. English is taught in high schools
 Pattern#2
ACTIVE FORM PASSIVE FORM

Present Continuous
They are teaching English this year. English is being taught this year.
 Pattern#3
ACTIVE FORM PASSIVE FORM

Present Perfect
They have taught English for many English has been taught for many
years. years.
 Pattern#5
ACTIVE FORM PASSIVE FORM

Past Tense
They taught English last year. English was taught last year.
 Pattern#9
ACTIVE FORM PASSIVE FORM

Future /modals
They will teach English next year. English will be taught next year.
They are going to teach English next English is going to be taught next
year. year.
Practice 4: Put the following sentences into the
PASSIVE VOICE with a PERSONAL SUBJECT.
1. They gave my little sister a ticket, too.
____________________________________.
2. People will show the visitors the new
buildings.
____________________________________
3. Someone has already paid the electrician for
his work.
____________________________________.
4. They promise us higher wages.
____________________________________.
Practice 4: Put the following sentences into the
PASSIVE VOICE with a PERSONAL SUBJECT.
5. Somebody will tell you what time the train
leaves.
____________________________________.

6. Someone ordered the prisoners to stand up.

____________________________________.

7. Somebody recommended me to another

doctor.
____________________________________.
Practice 4: Put the following sentences into the
PASSIVE VOICE with a PERSONAL SUBJECT.
8. They will allow each boy a second plate of ice
cream.
____________________________________.

9. The authorities refused Cyril a passport.

____________________________________.

10.Someone is showing Maisie how to bath a

baby.
____________________________________.
 References
• J. molinsky, Steven. Bliss, Bill. SIDE BY SIDE.
Prentice Hall. 1983
• Stannard Allen, W. Living English Structure.
Longman. 1987
• Wishon, George E. Burks, Julia M. Let’s Write
English. New York, 1980
• Taylor, Grant. Mastering American English.
New York. 1956