Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Passive
Active and passive sentences often have similar meanings, but a different focus.
Passive sentences move the focus from the subject to the object of active sentences.
No agent Agent
DO NOT mention the agent if it is unnecessary MENTION the agent if it adds important
if the agent is obvious, unknown or unimportant. or surprising information.
The windows were repaired by someone. Classes are taught by native teachers.
Classes are taught in the evenings by teachers. This was written by a three-year old!
___ 2. It was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace. 1. People mine gold in the north.
___Gold is mined in the north___________
___ 3. Millions of people read it.
2. He left home early.
___ 4. It is translated into many other languages. ___________________________________
___ 5. A large-type edition is also printed. 3. She ate two biscuits.
___________________________________
___ 6. It is also recorded.
4. My friend bought a dog.
___ 7. Proofreaders are hired to correct mistakes. ___________________________________
___ 8. They look for mistakes in spelling and grammar. 5. Something strange happened to me.
___________________________________
___ 9. Readers Digest is sold at newsstands.
6. Someone stole my watch.
___ 10. It is published once a month. ___________________________________
___ 11. I bought a copy last week. 7. We need two chefs for our restaurant.
___ 12. Many articles are condensed from other sources. ___________________________________
For which sentences is the passive appropriate?
PRACTICE
Circle the sentence you find more natural, active or passive?
Active Passive
Hes eating a cake. A cake is being eaten by him. A/P
They built the cathedral in 1885. The cathedral was built in 1885. A/P
Farmers grow corn in the West. Corn is grown in the West. A/P
My friend grew corn. Corn was grown by my friend. A/P
MATCHING
With a partner make passive sentences with the phrases and words below:
PRACTICE
Jill Jones is writing an article about Bolivia. Use the passive form of the verbs in parentheses and
short answers to complete her interview with a Bolivian cultural attach.
PRACTICE
Change the active to the passive.
1. Shakespeare wrote that play. That play was written by Shakespeare.____
2. Bill will invite Ann to the party. ___________________________________
3. Alex is preparing that report. ___________________________________
4. Waitresses and waiters serve customers. ___________________________________
5. The teacher is going to explain the lesson. ___________________________________
6. Shirley has suggested a new idea. ___________________________________
7. Two horses were pulling the farmers wagon. ___________________________________
8. Kathy has returned the book to the library. ___________________________________
9. By this time tomorrow, the president will ___________________________________
have made the announcement. ___________________________________
10. I didnt write the note. Jim wrote it. ___________________________________
11. Alice didnt make that pie. ___________________________________
Did Mrs. French make it? ___________________________________
12. Does Professor Jackson teach that course? ___________________________________
I know that Professor Adams doesnt teach it. ___________________________________
13. Mrs. Andrews hasnt signed those papers yet. ___________________________________
Has Mr. Andrews signed them yet? ___________________________________
14. Is Mr. Brown painting your house? ___________________________________
15. His tricks wont fool me. ___________________________________
Example: They have caught the bank robber. better in the A/P. (why?)
Jim has made a cake. better in the A/P. (why?)
Better in the
Notice that the tense of the verb to be in the passive voice is the same as the tense of the main
verb in the active voice.
Example: to keep
Example sentences: