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/grammar/change-voice/ http://www.englishpractice.com/grammar/change-voice/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:21:30 +0000 tutor http://www.englishpractice.com/?p=980 Change the following sentences into the passive voice.

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 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.