Let’s review the English grammar that we looked at in our previous post. Here are a couple of practice exercises to reinforce forming the passive voice in English. In the first section, try to rewrite the active sentences in the passive voice.
Part 1
Example:
Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.
->
The Mona Lisa was painted by Da Vinci.
1 People eat pizza in New York City every day.
2 Yesterday, the mechanic* fixed my car.
3 Tomorrow, they will play the game.
4 They have finished the project.
5 Next week, someone is going to paint the house.
6 Right now, they are building the new skyscraper*.
7 Someone was stealing apples from the store.
8 When I arrived, they had already made a decision.
*What is a mechanic?
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/mechanic
*What is a skyscraper?
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/skyscraper
3
2
1
Answer Key
1 Pizza is eaten in New York City every day.
2 Yesterday, my car was fixed (by the mechanic).
3 Tomorrow, the game will be played.
4 The project has been finished.
5 Next week, the house is going to be painted.
6 Right now, the new skyscraper is being built.
7 Apples were being stolen from the store.
8 When I arrived, a decision had already been made.
Part 2
In this section we have to read the sentences and make a decision. Are the verbs in the sentences in the active voice or the passive voice?
1 Professor Green has been teaching at the University since 1989.
2 A new movie will be released by that studio next week.
3 I killed the cockroach.
4 She liked the post.
5 The students were introduced to their new teacher yesterday.
6 Our plan is being reviewed by the members of the committee.
7 He took her to the hospital.
8 They will give a prize to the person who solves this equation.
9 By the end of the day, the problem had been solved.
3
2
1
Answer Key
1 active
2 passive
3 active
4 active
5 passive
6 passive
7 active
8 active
9 passive
We hope this exercise has been helpful. Leave a comment with any questions that you have!