Passive Voice

Form

to be + past participle

How to form a passive sentence when an active sentence is given:
- object of the "active" sentence becomes subject in the "passive" sentence
- subject of the "active" sentence becomes "object" in the "passive" sentence" (or is left out)

Active:	Peter	builds	a house.
Passive:	A house	is built	by Peter.

Examples

Active	Peter	builds	a house.	Simple Present
Passive:	A house	is built	by Peter.

Active:	Peter	built	a house.	Simple Past
Passive:	A house	was built	by Peter.

Passive - Sentences in the Simple Present - Exercise

1) Mr Jones watches the film. The film is watched. 2) The people speak English. English is spoken. 3) He reads comics. Comics are read. 4) We play volleyball. Volleyball is played. 5) They sing the song. The song is sung. 6) I take photos. Photos are taken. 7) She does the housework. The housework is done. 8) The policemen help the children. The children are helped. 9) He writes text messages. Text messages are written. 10) Mother waters the flowers. The flowers are watered.

1) She bought four apples. Four apples were bought.

2) We won the match. The match was won.

3) The man stole the blue car. The blue car was stolen.

4) The police arrested the thieves. The thieves were arrested.

5) Jack swam the 200 metres. The 200 metres were swum.

6) The dog bit the old lady. The old lady was bitten.

7) Tom and Max ate five hamburgers. Five hamburgers were eaten.

8) Oliver taught the children. The children were taught.

9) Victoria rode the brown horse. The brown horse was ridden.

10) Grandmother told good stories. Good stories were told.