Change the verb from passive form to active form by crossing out verb (be) and putting the main verb in the same tense as verb (be).. Tom dropped ………….[r]
(1)How to turn a passive verb into active verb:
Passive Verb = Verb (be) + past participle (main verb) So to change a passive verb to an active verb, cross out verb (be) and put the main verb in the same tense of that of verb (be)
Examples:
was written (passive) wrote (active) ‘was” (form of verb ‘be’) is crossed out
‘was’ is the past form of verb (be), this means that ‘written’ should be changed to ‘wrote’ (past form) of the verb ‘write’
had been eaten (passive) had eaten (active) ‘been’ (form of verb be) is crossed out
‘had been’ (past perfect) ‘eaten’ should be changed to ‘had eaten’ (past perfect of ‘eat’)
Forms of verb “Be”: (present) = am, is , are (past) = was, were
(present participle) = being (past participle) = been
The past participle of a verb is: verb + ed (regular verbs):
paint painted
3rd column in the list of irregular verbs: break broken
Name: ……… Date: ……… A verb is said to be in the active voice when the subject
does the action
A verb is said to be in the passive voice when the sentence shows what is done to the subject
A. Change the underlined passive verbs into active.
1 These words are said by Sue Sue said these words
2 Our papers will be collected by the teacher tomorrow
The teacher ……… our papers tomorrow
3 The speed limit should be obeyed by all drivers
All drivers ……… the speed limit
4 The small village has been destroyed by the hurricane The hurricane ……… the small village
5 A new idea is being suggested by Charley
Charley ……… a new idea
6 The farmer’s wagon was being pulled by two horses
Two horses ……… the farmer’s wagon
7 The enemies had been driven away by our soldiers
Our soldiers ……… the enemies away
Changing Passive Voice into Active Voice: Take this sentence as an example:
subject verb compliment agent
The cup was dropped on the floor by Tom.
1 Find the agent in the passive sentence and put it at the beginning of the active sentence (as a subject)
Tom ………
2 Change the verb from passive form to active form by crossing out verb (be) and putting the main verb in the same tense as verb (be)
Tom dropped …………
3 Make the subject of the passive sentence the object of the active one
Tom dropped the cup …………
4 Complete the rest of the sentence Tom dropped the cup on the floor
The verb should agree in number with the subject.
(2)C. Change to the opposite voice (active to passive or passive to active). Earthquakes kill hundreds of people
every year
2 This party was organized by Danny This museum was built many years ago The company offered Sally a good job Salma needs to fax the letters now People should not waste energy at all Sam was putting the tins and cans in the
recycle container
8 The kidnappers are being followed by the
police at this moment
9 Bad weather had delayed the flight 10 My room at the hotel was being cleaned
when I arrived
11 My car has been stolen from the garage 12 Governments must take action against
crime
(3)Changing Passive Voice into Active Voice: Take this sentence as an example:
subjectverbcomplimentagentThe cupwas dropped on the floorby Tom.Find the agent in the passive sentence and put it at the beginning of the active sentence (as a subject)
Tom ………
Change the verb from passive form to active form by crossing out verb (be) and putting the main verb in the same tense as verb (be)
Tom dropped …………
Make the subject of the passive sentence the object of the active one
Tom dropped the cup …………
Complete the rest of the sentence Tom dropped the cup on the floor
The verb should agree in number with the subject. How to turn a passive verb into active verb:
Passive Verb = Verb (be) + past participle (main verb) So to change a passive verb to an active verb, cross out verb (be) and put the main verb in the same tense of that of verb (be)
Examples:
was written (passive) wrote (active) ‘was” (form of verb ‘be’) is crossed out
‘was’ is the past form of verb (be), this means that ‘written’ should be changed to ‘wrote’ (past form) of the verb ‘write’
had been eaten (passive) had eaten (active) ‘been’ (form of verb be) is crossed out
‘had been’ (past perfect) ‘eaten’ should be changed to ‘had eaten’ (past perfect of ‘eat’)
Forms of verb “Be”: (present) = am, is , are (past) = was, were
(present participle) = being (past participle) = been
The past participle of a verb is: verb + ed (regular verbs):
paint painted
3rd column in the list of irregular verbs: break broken
A verb is said to be in the active voice when the subject does the action
A verb is said to be in the passive voice when the sentence shows what is done to the subject
B Change the underlined passive verbs into active.
8 These words are said by Sue Sue said these words
9 Our papers will be collected by the teacher tomorrow
The teacher ……… our papers tomorrow
10 The speed limit should be obeyed by all drivers
All drivers ……… the speed limit
11.The small village has been destroyed by the hurricane The hurricane ……… the small village
12 A new idea is being suggested by Charley
Charley ……… a new idea
13 The farmer’s wagon was being pulled by two horses
Two horses ……… the farmer’s wagon
14 The enemies had been driven away by our soldiers
Our soldiers ……… the enemies away
C. Change the following sentences from passive into active:
(4)Answer key: Activity A:
D. Change to the opposite voice (active to passive or passive to active)
13 Earthquakes kill hundreds of people
every year
14 This party was organized by Danny 15 This museum was built many years ago 16 The company offered Sally a good job 17 Salma needs to fax the letters now 18 People should not waste energy at all 19 Sam was putting the tins and cans in the
recycle container
20 The kidnappers are being followed by the
police at this moment
21 Bad weather had delayed the flight 22 My room at the hotel was being cleaned
when I arrived
23 My car has been stolen from the garage 24 Governments must take action against
(5)1 said will collect should obey has destroyed is suggesting was pulling had driven
Activity B:
1 A falling brick hit Tina
2 My mother taught me the principles of good conduct The mayor will open the library
4 The police should arrest the burglars Did your father teach you to drive?
6 Most drivers don’t obey the speed limit on highways The plumber has fixed the leaking pipe
8 The weird scientist created a horrible monster
9 Has the company accepted the plans for the new project? 10 Many friends always send Suzie lots of emails
11.Lucy is playing the guitar now
12 The guests in the party let the cat loose Activity C:
1 Hundreds of people are killed by earthquakes each year (active to passive) Danny organized this party (passive to active)
3 They built this museum many years ago (passive to active) Sally was offered a good job by the company (active to passive) The letters need to be faxed by Salma now (active to passive) Energy shouldn’t be wasted at all (active to passive)
7 The tins and cans were being put (by Sam) in the recycle container
8 The police are following the kidnappers at this moment (passive to active) The flight had been delayed by bad weather (active to passive)
10 They (the maids) were cleaning my room in the hotel when I arrived (passive to active) 11 Someone has stolen my car from the garage (passive to active)