Many verbs can be followed by two objects: an indirect object and a direct object. Examples of such verbs are: give, send, show and lend. When a verb has two objects, two structures are possible.

She told me a story. (Subject + verb + indirect object + direct object)
She told a story to me. (Subject + verb + direct object +preposition + indirect object)
He gave his sister a car. (Subject + verb + indirect object + direct object)
He gave a car to his sister. (Subject + verb + direct object + preposition + indirect object)Both of these structures can be made passive.

1. The indirect object as the subject of the passive verb

Of these, the first structure (indirect object as subject of the passive verb) is probably the more common of the two.

I have just been sent a new report. (More common)
A new report has just been sent to me. (Less common)
You were lent two thousand pounds last year. (More common)
Two thousand pounds were lent to you last year. (Less common) ]]> http://www.englishpractice.com/improve/passive-voice-verbs-objects/feed/ 0 http://www.englishpractice.com/teaching/active-passive-voice-worksheet/ http://www.englishpractice.com/teaching/active-passive-voice-worksheet/#comments Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:54:19 +0000 tutor http://www.englishpractice.com/?p=1723 Change the following sentences into passive voice.

1. I know him.

2. His conduct will surprise you.

3. His failure disgusted his parents.

4. One must endure what one cannot cure.

5. They say that honesty is the best policy.

6. He had to pay the fine.

7. What does this box contain?

8. I want you to do this.

9. I expect you to help her.

10. Women like men to adore them.

11. One should help the poor.

12. The farmer grows vegetables.

Answers

1. He is known to me.

2. You will be surprised at his conduct.

3. His parents were disgusted at his failure.

4. What cannot be cured must be endured.

5. It is said that honesty is the best policy.

6. The fine had to be paid by him.

7. What is contained in this box?

8. I want this to be done by you.

9. I expect her to be helped by you.

10. Women like to be adored by men.

11. The poor should be helped.

12. Vegetables are grown by the farmer.

Active: Do the children play football?
Passive: Is football played by the children? (NOT Do football played by the children?)
Active: Did Alice invite you?
Passive: Were you invited by Alice? (NOT Did you invited by Alice?)

Note:

As you may have noticed, the auxiliaries do, does and did are not used in the passive.

Active: Have you finished the work?
Passive: Has the work been finished by you?

Notes: The auxiliaries has, have and had are used in the passive, but they change their form according to the number and person of the passive subject.

Active: Can anyone cure it?
Passive: Can it be cured?
Active: Will he accept our invitation?
Passive: Will our invitation be accepted by him?

Note:

The auxiliaries can, may, will and shall do not change their beginning position when active voice is changed into the passive voice.

Active: Whom did you laugh at?
Passive: Who was laughed at by you?

Active: Who killed the snake?
Passive: By whom was the snake killed?

Note:

Who changes to by whom in the passive; (by) whom changes to who in the passive.

Active: Why did he punish you?
Passive: Why were you punished by him?

Notes:
The question words when, where, why, how and what do not change their beginning position when the sentence is changed from the active to the passive.

1.    They elected him Chairman.
2.    The children laughed at the beggar.
3.    The guard caught the thief.
4.    The soldiers attacked the enemy barracks.
5.    The cat drank all the milk.
6.    The old man takes snuff.
7.    Somebody hit the dog with a stick.
8.    I will order the carriage.
9.    One may accomplish anything with a little effort.
10.    A thunderstorm often turns milk sour.
11.    The boy was climbing the cliff.
12.    Will you ever forget those happy days?
13.    All desire wealth and some acquire it.
14.    They laughed at his warnings.
15.    He made the child drink the milk.

Answers

1.    He was elected chairman (by them).
2.    The beggar was laughed at by the children.
3.    The thief was caught by the guard.
4.    The enemy barracks were attacked by the soldiers.
5.    All the milk was drunk by the cat.
6.    Snuff is taken by the old man.
7.    The dog was hit with a stick (by somebody).
8.    The carriage will be ordered (by me).
9.    With a little effort anything can be accomplished.
10.    Milk is often turned sour by a thunderstorm.
11.    The cliff was being climbed by the boy.
12.    Will those happy days ever be forgotten (by you)?
13.    Wealth is desired by all and acquired by some.
14.    His warnings were laughed at.
15.    The child was made to drink the milk.
Notes:
Note that the subject of the active verb is not always mentioned in the passive voice.

1.    The children laughed at the beggar.
2.    They elected him chairman.
3.    One should keep one’s promises.
4.    When will you return the book?
5.    Somebody has picked my pocket.
6.    Circumstances obliged me to agree.
7.    I saw him stealing the watch.
8.    We must listen to his words.
9.    Who broke this window?
10.    One cannot gather grapes from thistles.
11.    People regarded him as an impostor.
12.    Do not insult the weak and the oppressed.
13.    They refused him admittance.
14.    The doctor despaired of his recovery.
15.    The manager will issue you a ticket.
16.    He handed her a parcel.
17.    They asked me my name.
18.    We will execute all orders promptly.
19.    People all over the world speak English.
20.    They saw the storm approaching.

Answers

1.    The beggar was laughed at by the children.
2.    He was elected chairman.
3.    Promises should be kept.
4.    When will the book be returned (by you)?
5.    My pocket has been picked (by somebody).
6.    I was obliged to agree.
7.    He was seen stealing the watch.
8.    His words must be listened to.
9.    By whom was this window broken?
10.    Grapes cannot be gathered from thistles.
11.    He was regarded as an impostor.
12.    Let the weak and the oppressed not be insulted.
13.    He was refused admittance.
14.    His recovery was despaired of by the doctor.
15.    You will be issued a ticket by the manager. OR A ticket will be issued to you by the manager.
16.    A parcel was handed to her. OR She was handed a parcel.
17.     I was asked my name. OR My name was asked by them.
18.    All orders will be promptly executed.
19.    English is spoken (by people) all over the world.
20.    The storm was seen approaching.

1.    We are taught grammar by Ms Sullivan.
2.    He was praised by the teacher.
3.    The injured were taken to the hospital by the firemen.
4.    The town was destroyed by an earthquake.
5.    The teacher was pleased with the boy’s work.
6.    The building was damaged by the fire.
7.    By whom were you taught French?
8.    You will be given a ticket by the manager.
9.    The streets were thronged with spectators.
10.    We will be blamed by everyone.
11.    The trees were blown down by the wind.
12.    The thieves were caught by the police.
13.    The letter was posted by Alice.
14.    We were received by the hostess.
15.    The snake was killed with a stick.
16.    The minister was welcomed by the people.
17.    He was found guilty of murder.
18.    This house was built by John Mathews in 1991.

Answers

1.    Ms Sullivan teaches us grammar.
2.    The teacher praised him.
3.    The firemen took the injured to the hospital.
4.    An earthquake destroyed the town.
5.    The boy’s work pleased the teacher.
6.    The fire damaged the building.
7.    Who taught you French?
8.    The manager will give you a ticket.
9.    Spectators thronged the streets.
10.    Everyone will blame us.
11.    The wind blew down the trees.
12.    The police caught the thieves.
13.    Alice posted the letter.
14.    The hostess received us.
15.    They/somebody killed the snake with a stick.
16.    The people welcomed the minister.
17.    They found him guilty of murder.
18.    John Mathews built this house in 1991.

1.    The boy killed the spider with a stone.
2.    He gave me a nice present.
3.    The farmer was bitten by the dog.
4.    The boy flew a kite.
5.    The captive was thrown into a cell.
6.    The loud noise frightened the child.
7.    He is loved by all.
8.    The exhibition was opened by the Minister.
9.    The officer’s command was promptly obeyed.
10.    Some of the goods were damaged in transit.
11.    The wolf chased the sheep.
12.    The letter was posted yesterday.
13.    The boy drank all the milk.
14.    The stone struck me on the head.
15.    I have just received the letter.
16.    Somebody has put the cat in.
17.    The inspector was pleased by the recitation.
18.    The money was lost.
19.    The field is being ploughed.
20.    We are waiting for the bus.

Answer

1.    Killed – active
2.    Gave – active
3.    Was bitten – passive
4.    Flew – active
5.    Was thrown – passive
6.    Frightened – active
7.    Is loved – passive
8.    Was opened – passive
9.    Was obeyed – passive
10.    Were damaged – passive
11.    Chased – active
12.    Was posted – passive
13.    Drank – active
14.    Struck – active
15.    Have received – active
16.    Has put – active
17.    Was pleased – passive
18.    Was lost – passive
19.    Is being ploughed – passive
20.    Are waiting – active

1.    The tiger killed the deer.
2.    The woodcutter cut down the trees.
3.    Columbus discovered America.
4.    The teacher praised the student.
5.    The old woman feeds the pigeons every day.
6.    John was flying a kite.
7.    My father will give me a present.
8.    The police caught the thief.
9.    I will conquer him.
10.    He kept her waiting.
11.    The hunter shot the lion.
12.    A little girl opened the door.
13.    The boy threw the ball.
14.    He scored full marks.
15.    His behavior vexes me.
16.    Manners reveal a person’s character.
17.    He made a remarkable discovery.
18.    He wrote an interesting story.
19.    Little strokes fell great oaks.
20.    Everybody loves him.

Answers

1.    The deer was killed by the tiger.
2.    The trees were cut down by the woodcutter.
3.    America was discovered by Columbus.
4.    The student was praised by the teacher.
5.    The pigeons are fed by the old woman everyday.
6.    A kite was being flown by John.
7.    I will be given a present by my father. OR A present will be given to me by my father.
8.    The thief was caught by the police.
9.    He will be conquered by me.
10.    She was kept waiting (by him).
11.    The lion was shot by the hunter.
12.    The door was opened by a little girl.
13.    The ball was thrown by the boy.
14.    Full marks were scored by him.
15.    I am vexed by his behavior.
16.    A person’s character is revealed by his/her manners.
17.    A remarkable discovery was made by him.
18.    An interesting story was written by him.
19.    Great oaks are felled by little strokes.
20.    He is loved by everybody.

1.    The house ———————- by the masons.

a)    Is being built
b)    Has being built
c)    Is been built
d)    Is being building

2.    The city ———————-

a)    Has captured
b)    Has been captured
c)    Was been captured
d)    Had captured

3.    The boy ——————- for his honesty.

a)    Was been rewarded
b)    Has been rewarded
c)    Had rewarded
d)    Has been rewarding

4.    It —————– that honesty is the best policy.

a)    Was said
b)    Is said
c)    Is being said
d)    Has said

5.    Promises should —————-

a)    Be kept
b)    Be keeping
c)    Have kept
d)    Have been keeping

6.    It is time for the match ——————-

a)    To play
b)    To be played
c)    Is played
d)    Has been played

7.    I expect her ——————— by you.

a)    To be helped
b)    To help
c)    To have been helped
d)    Should be helped

8.    I want the work ——————— by noon.

a)    To finish
b)    To be finished
c)    Be finished
d)    To have been finished

9.    He ——————— by his own friends.

a)    Is been deceived
b)    Is being deceived
c)    Has being deceived
d)    Is deceiving

10.    The plan —————— by the committee.

a)    Has approved
b)    Has been approved
c)    Is been approved
d)    Had approved

11.    Have my orders —————— by you?

a)    Been carried out
b)    Be carried out
c)    Was carried out
d)    Being carried out

12.    The story was eagerly ———————-

a)    Listened to
b)    Been listened to
c)    Been listening to
d)    Listening to

13.    By whom was this piece of composition ——————–

a)    Been written
b)    Written
c)    Have been written
d)    Wrote

14.    Do not ———————- by failure.

a)    Be daunted
b)    Been daunted
c)    Daunted
d)    Daunt

15.    America ——————– by Columbus.

a)    Was discovered
b)    Discovered
c)    Had discovered
d)    Has discovered

16.    The tree —————— in the storm.

a)    Uprooted
b)    Was uprooted
c)    Had uprooted
d)    Has uprooted

17.    Our lives ——————— in anticipation.

a)    Are spent
b)    Are spend
c)    Was spent
d)    Have spend

18.    The wounded ———————– home by the firemen.

a)    Was carried
b)    Were carried
c)    Have carried
d)    Had carried

Answers

1.    Is being built
2.    Has been captured
3.    Has been rewarded
4.    Is said
5.    Be kept
6.    To be played
7.    To be helped
8.    To be finished
9.    Is being deceived
10.    Has been approved
11.    Been carried out
12.    Listened to
13.    Written
14.    Be daunted
15.    Was discovered
16.    Was uprooted
17.    Are spent
18.    Were carried

1.    The work ————————- by me.

a)    Has completed
b)    Has been completed
c)    Have been completed
d)    Have completed

2.    The patient is —————– after by the nurse.

a)    Looked
b)    Being looked
c)    Looking
d)    Been looked

3.    My pen —————— by somebody yesterday.

a)    Has stolen
b)    Has been stolen
c)    Was stolen
d)    Stolen

4.    The sparrows —————— by the old woman.

a)    Were being fed
b)    Have been feeding
c)    Were feeding
d)    Has been feeding

5.    The committee ——————– an unrealistic policy.

a)    Has adopted
b)    Has been adopted
c)    Was adopted
d)    Is adopted

6.    You ———————– to come with me.

a)    Are requesting
b)    Are requested
c)    Were requesting
d)    Have been requesting

7.    Let the door ——————–

a)    Be opened
b)    Been opened
c)    Is opened
d)    Was opened

8.    The thief ——————- red-handed by the policemen.

a)    Is catching
b)    Caught
c)    Had caught
d)    Was caught

9.    She had ——————- her work before sunset.

a)    Been finishing
b)    Been finished
c)    Finished
d)    Finishing

10.    His behavior ——————- me.

a)    Was surprised
b)    Surprising
c)    Surprised
d)    Was being surprised

11.    The field ——————- by the farmers.

a)    Is being ploughed
b)    Has being ploughed
c)    Has ploughed
d)    Had ploughed

12.    This book ———————– by John.

a)    Was brought
b)    Was bringing
c)    Brought
d)    Has brought

13.    Let this rubbish —————– away.

a)    Be thrown
b)    Is thrown
c)    Was thrown
d)    Has thrown

14.    Your failures ———————– by anybody.

a)    Will not be shared
b)    Will not been shared
c)    Will not shared
d)    Will not been sharing

15.    You ——————— by me in every way.

a)    Will be helped
b)    Will be helping
c)    Will helping
d)    Will have helped

16.    I offered him a chance and he ——————– it.

a)    Has grabbed
b)    Grabbed
c)    Was grabbing
d)    Was grabbing

17.    No survivors ——————

a)    Could be finding
b)    Could be found
c)    Was finding
d)    Had found

18.    The child ——————- by the speeding car.

a)    Has run over
b)    Was run over
c)    Was been run over
d)    Run over

Answers

1.    Has been completed
2.    Being looked
3.    Was stolen
4.    Were being fed
5.    Has adopted
6.    Are requested
7.    Be opened
8.    Was caught
9.    Finished
10.    Surprised
11.    Is being ploughed
12.    Was brought
13.    Be thrown
14.    Will not be shared
15.    Will be helped
16.    Grabbed
17.    Could be found
18.    Was run over