Passive Voice Worksheets

This page contains 8 free passive voice worksheets with answer keys.  

Exercise 1.

Define the tense forms of the verbs in the following sentences. Change the sentences into interrogative form (use general questions).

Example: A man is known by the company he keeps.
Answer: Is a man known by the company he keeps? (Present Indefinite, Passive)

1. Many new buildings have been built in London.
2. A passenger was shown his seat. 
3. A review of the performance will be written after the first night. 
4. A new play is being staged at our theatre. 
5. The contract will be signed on Tuesday. 
6. The contract will have been signed by Tuesday. 
7. My dog was stung by bees. 
8. He had been introduced to me before I met you. 
9. The factory was still being built when we came to that place. 
10. Theatres are attended by thousands in our country. 
11. After the table had been cleared the children began to sing and dance.
12. His new collection of poems has just been published. 
13. I was told yesterday that their plan hadn’t been accepted. 

Answers: 1. Have many new buildings been built in London? (Present Perfect, Passive);        2. Was a passenger shown his seat? (Past Indefinite, Passive);        3. Will the review of the performance be written after the first night? (Future Indefinite, Passive);        4.  Is a new play being staged at our theatre? (Present Continuous, Passive);        5. Will the contract be signed on Tuesday? (Future Indefinite, Passive);        6. Will the contract have been signed by Tuesday? (Future Perfect, Passive);        7. Was my dog stung by bees? (Past Indefinite, Passive);        8. Had he been introduced to me before I met you? (Past Perfect, Passive; Past Indefinite, Active);        9.  Was the factory still being built when we came to that place? (Past Continuous, Passive; Past Indefinite, Active);        10. Are theatres attended by thousands in our country? (Present Indefinite, Passive);        11. Had the table been cleared before the children began to sing and dance? (Past Perfect, Passive; Past Indefinite, Active) (or) Did the children begin to sing and dance after the table had been cleared? ;         12. Has his new collection of poems just been published? (Past Perfect, Passive);        13. Was I told yesterday that their plan hadn’t been accepted? (Past Indefinite, Passive; Past Perfect, Passive).

Exercise II.

[By-phrases]
Answer the questions.
1.    By whom was “The Portrait of Dorian Grey” written”?
2.    By whom were the X-rays discovered?
3.    By whom was the telephone invented?
4.    By whom were the best violins made?
5.    By whom was “Mona Liza” painted?

Answers:        1. “The Portrait of Dorian Grey” was written by Oscar Wilde.        2. The X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Röntgen.        3.   The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.        4. The best violins were made by Stradivari.        5. “Mona Liza” was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

Exercise III.

Give answers to these questions or statements according to the model.  Practise Passive in various tenses.

a).

Example: Do people speak English in many countries?

Answer: Yes, English is spoken in many countries.

1. Do they sell a lot of notebooks every day?
2. Did they buy a new car yesterday?
3. Did they complete the translation last Tuesday?
4. Did they discuss the problem yesterday?
5. Did they settle the matter last week?
6. Did they admit Sam to college?

b).

Example: I can help you translate the article.

Answer: Thank you. It’s already been translated.

1. I can help you buy the books.
2. I can help you complete the job.
3. I can help you fill out the cards.

c).

Example: They’ve told Sam about it.

Answer: So she’s been told.

1. They’ve invited the Greens to the party.
2. They’ve discussed the matter.
3. He’s written the article.

d).

Example: Have they discussed the plan yet?

Answer: No, it’ still being discussed.

1. Have they built the house yet?
2. Have they sold the books yet?
3. Has he translated the article yet?

Answers:

a).     1. Yes. A lot of notebooks are sold every day.         2. Yes. A new car was bought yesterday.        3. Yes. The translation was completed last Tuesday?        4. Yes. The problem was discussed yesterday?         5.  Yes. The matter was settled last week?         6. Yes. Sam was admitted to college?

b).      1. Thank you.  The books already been bought.        2. Thank you.  It’s already been completed.         3. Thank you.  The cards already been filled out.

c).      1. So they’ve been invited.        2. So the matter has been discussed.         3. So the article has been written.

d).      1.  No, it’s still being built.        2. No, they’re still being sold.         3. No, it’s still being translated.

Exercise IV.

[Active to Passive]
Make the following active sentences passive. Change the verbs in these sentences into their passive equivalents, and make whatever other changes are necessary.

Example: They answered my question at once.

Answer: My question was answered at once (by them).

1. A wave of strikes followed these events.
2. The court convicted him of murder.
3. Someone stole my wallet.
4. We’ll choose the route tomorrow.
5. Our teacher is explaining a rule.
6. I have received a parcel today.
7. They have cut a cake into twelve parts.
8. He’ll have received the parcel by the end of the day.
9. We sent him for the doctor.
10. Our teachers often refer to this article.
11. They often laughed at him.
12. The manager offered Mr. Dean a new job.
13. They have given the Nobel Prize in Literature to Mario Vargas Llosa.

Answers:     1. These events were followed by a wave of strikes.        2. Не was convicted of murder.        3. My wallet was stolen.        4. The route will be chosen tomorrow.         5. The rule is being explained by the teacher.        6. The parcel has been received by me today.        7. The cake has been cut into twelve parts.        8. The parcel will have been received by the end of the day.        9. He was sent for the doctor (by us). (or) The doctor was sent for (by us).        10. This article is often referred to.         11. He was often laughed at.        12. Mr. Dean was offered a new job. (or) A new job was offered to Mr. Dean.        13. The Nobel Prize has been given to Mario Vargas Llosa. (or) Mario Vargas Llosa has been given the Nobel Prize.

Excersice V.

[Passive to Active]
Here are some sentences with verbs in the passive voice. Making whatever other changes are necessary, convert the following passive sentences to their active forms.

Example: The proposal was supported by everybody.

Answer: Everybody supported the proposal.

1. Chopsticks are used by the Chinese for eating.
2. Ann was brought up by her aunt.
3. Penicillin was discovered by Fleming.
4. The books were published by McGraw-Hill.
5. The question is being discussed by them now.
6. My papers have been stolen by someone.
7. The problem had been solved by him.
8. The parcel will have been sent by the 1st of November by our service.

Answers:      1. The Chinese use chopsticks for eating.        2. Her aunt brought her up.        3. Fleming discovered penicillin.         4. McGraw-Hill published the books.        5. They are discussing the question now.        6. Someone has stolen my papers.        7. He had solved the problem.        8. Our service will have sent  a parcel by the 1st of November.

 

Exercise VI.

1.    Open the brackets and put the verbs in the Present Indefinite, Passive Voice.
     a.    This text (to write) in pencil.
     b.    This question (to discuss) everywhere.
     c.    The table (to cover) with a red cloth.
     d.    Most New York skyscrapers (to make) of steel and glass.

2.    Open the brackets and put the verbs in the Past Indefinite, Passive Voice.
     a.    No echo (to hear) for three seconds.
     b.    All the details (to know) to the scientists.
     c.    A new island (to find).
     d.    Our ship (to send) to explore that area.
     e.    The laboratory (to equip) for this kind of scientific studies.
     f.    A fish (to catch).
     g.    I (to tell) about it only yesterday.

3.    Open the brackets and put the verbs in the Future Indefinite, Passive Voice.
     a.    The criminal (to detain) by the police.

Answers:

1.     a. This text is written in pencil.        b. This question is discussed everywhere.        c. The table is covered with a red cloth.        d. Most New York skyscrapers is made of steel and glass.

2.     a.  No echo was heard for three seconds.        b. All the details were known to the scientists.        c. A new island was found.        d. Our ship was sent to explore that area.        e. The laboratory was equipped for this kind of scientific studies.        f. A fish was caught.        g. I was told about it only yesterday.

3.     a.  The criminal was detained by the police.

Exercise VII.

1.    Open the brackets and put the verbs in the Present Perfect, Passive Voice.
     a.    His novel just (to publish).
     b.    The thief (to detain) by the police today.

2.    Open the brackets and put the verbs in the Past Perfect, Passive Voice.
     a.    I was told yesterday that their plan (not to accept). (I was told yesterday that their plan hadn’t been accepted.)
     b.    He told us that his leg (to break).
     c.    We were glad to hear that our invitation (to accept).

3.    Open the brackets and put the verbs in the Future Perfect, Passive Voice.
     a.    The work (to do) by the end of the month.

Answers:

1.     a.  His novel has just been published. b. The thief has been detained by the police today.

2.     a.  I was told yesterday that their plan hadn’t been accepted.        b. He told us that his leg had been broken.         c. We were glad to hear that our invitation had been accepted.

3.    a. The work will have been done by the end of the month.

Exercise VIII.

1.    Open the brackets and put the verbs in the Present Continuous, Passive Voice.
     a.    I know that the new book (to wite) by him now.
     b.    I think the film (to show) on TV now. (I think the film is being shown on TV now.)
     c.    Some new employees (to hire).

2.    Open the brackets and put the verbs in the Past Continuous, Passive Voice.
     a.    Wine (to pour) into the glasses.
     b.    We watched how the stewed meat (to cut) by Father.
     c.    An ice hockey game (to show) on TV when we returned home.

Answers:

1.     a.  I know that the new book is being written by him now.        b. I suppose the film is being shown on TV now.        c. Some new employees are being hired.

2.     a.  Wine was being poured into the glasses.        b. We watched how the stewed meat was being cut by Father.        c. An ice hockey game was being shown on TV when we returned home.

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