Passive Voice – Free Exercise

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Exercises

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the passive.

  1. I don’t have to buy the paper because it (deliver)   to our house every day.simple present (signal: every day)
    3rd person singular: is + past participle
  2. When Kylie went to school, she (pick up)   by her parents every day.simple past (signal: went)
    3rd person singular: was + past participle
  3. You don’t have to clean the bathroom. It (clean/already)   by someone else.present perfect (signal: already, first clause in simple present)
    3rd person singular: has + adverb + been + past participle
  4. Relax! From now on, I promise that everything (do)   for you.will future (signal: from now on, I promise)
    will be + past participle
    irregular verb: do-did-done
  5. When I came home, dinner (cook/not)   yet.past perfect (signal: yet, first clause in simple past)
    had been + past participle

Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice. Use the same tense as in the active sentence. Only use by if necessary.

  1. They offer free trials twice a year.simple present
    3rd person plural: are + past participle
    Do not include the agent when it is unknown/unimportant/obvious.
      twice a year.
  2. Someone is cutting the grass next door.present progressive
    3rd person singular: is being + past participle
    irregular verb: cut-cut-cut
    Do not include the agent when it is unknown/unimportant/obvious.
      next door.
  3. All parties have signed the contract.present perfect
    3rd person singular: has been + past participle
    Use by to introduce the agent.
     .
  4. A car hit the traffic light.simple past
    3rd person singular: was + past participle
    irregular verb: hit-hit-hit
    Use by to introduce the agent.
     .

Rewrite the sentences in two ways: once in the impersonal passive and once in the personal passive.

Example:
They think that he earns a lot of money.
→ It is thought that he earns a lot of money.
→ He is thought to earn a lot of money.
  1. Visitors say that these museums have wonderful exhibits.
    It   these museums have wonderful exhibits.it is + participle of reporting verb + that
    irregular verb: say-said-said
    These museums   wonderful exhibits.reporting verb: say (simple present) →
    subject (3rd person plural) + are + participle of reporting verb + main verb infinitive: to have
    irregular verb: say-said-said
  2. Everybody agrees that this sculpture is the artist’s greatest work.
    It   this sculpture is the artist’s greatest work.it is + participle of reporting verb + that
    This sculpture   the artist’s greatest work.reporting verb: agrees (simple present)
    subject (3rd person singular) + is + participle of reporting verb + main verb infinitive: to be
  3. Experts assume that the diamond is priceless.
    It   the diamond is priceless.it is + participle of reporting verb + that
    The diamond   priceless.reporting verb: assume →
    subject (3rd person singular) + is + participle of reporting verb + main verb infinitive: to be
  4. Experts believe that this jewellery belonged to Cleopatra.
    It   this jewellery belonged to Cleopatra.it is + participle of reporting verb + that
    This jewellery   to Cleopatra.reporting verb: believe (simple present) →
    subject (3rd person singular) + is + participle of reporting verb + main verb perfect infinitive: to have belonged
    Use the perfect infinitive when the active main verb is in the past.