Passive

Active to passive
Put the following into the passive voice. Do not mention the agent except
in 2, 9, 16 & 17.
1. We use this room only on special occasions.
This room is only used on special occasions.
2. In some district farmers use pigs to find truffles.
In some districts pigs are used by farmers to find truffles.
3. Someone switched on a light.
A light was switched on
4. They are demolishing the old theatre.
The old theatre is being demolished
5. Someone will serve refreshments.
Refreshments will be served
6. They rang the church bells as a fire warning.
The church bells were rung as a fire warning
7. They make these artificial flowers of silk.
These artificial flowers are made of silk
8. They feed the seals at the zoo twice a day.
The seals at the zoo are fed twice a day
9. Most people opposed this.
This was opposed by most people
10.
They are delivering my new harp this afternoon.
My new harp is being delivered this afternoon.
11.
Somebody has cleaned my shoes.
My shoes have been cleaned.
12.
You should open the wine three hours before you use it.
The wine should be opened three hours before you use it.
13.
Did anyone buy the car?
Was the car bought?
14.
People must not leave bicycles in the hall.
Bicycles must not be left in the hall.
15.
Who wrote it?
Who was it written by?
16.
Students are doing a lot of the work.
A lot of the work is being done by students.
17.
Beavers make these dams.
These dams are made by beavers.

Active or Passive?

Complete the sentences using one of these verbs in the correct

form, present or past active or passive:
cause
overtake
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

damage
hold
invite
show
surround translate write

make

Many accidents are caused by dangerous driving.

Cheese is made from milk.
The roof of the building was damaged in a storm a few days ago.
You were invited to the wedding. Why didnt you go?
A cinema is a place where films are shown
In the United States, elections for president are held every four

years.
7. Originally the book was written in Spanish, and a few years ago it
was translated into English.
8. Although we were driving quite fast, we were overtaken by a lot of
other cars.
9. You cant see the house from the road. It is surrounded by trees.
10.
Put the verb into the correct form, present or past simple, active
or passive.
1. Its a big factory. Five hundred people are employed (employ)
2.
3.
4.
5.

there.
Did somebody clean (somebody/clean) this room yesterday?
Water covers (cover) most of the earths surface.
How much of the earths surface is covered (cover) by water?
The letter was posted (post) a week ago and it arrived (arrive)

yesterday.
6. While I was on holiday, my camera was stolen (steal) from my hotel
room.
7. Why was Bill fired (Bill/fire) from his job? What did he do wrong?
8. The boat hit a rock and sank (sink) quickly. Fortunately everybody
was rescued (rescue).
9. I saw an accident yesterday. Somebody called (call) an ambulance
but nobody was injured (injure).
10.
The man next door disappeared six months ago. He has not
been seen (not see) since then.