EOI Alcaiz pre-intermediate

GRAMMAR

FORM
The passive is formed with the appropriate tense of the verb to be + past participle of the main verb.

ACTIVE
they broke the window they are repairing the bridge you must close the door

PASSIVE
the window was broken the bridge is being repaired the door must be closed

How to change an active sentence into the passive: Active: British TV interviewed the President last night.
1. Look for the main verb: interviewed 2. Ask interviewed who/what? to find the object: the President 3. Write the object: The President 4. Then write the passive form of the verb keeping the same tense as in the original sentence: The President was interviewed 5. Write the agent if it is important to say who or what is responsible :

The President was interviewed by British TV

6. Write any other information in the original sentence:

The President was interviewed by British TV last night.

TABLE OF ACTIVE TENSES AND THEIR PASSIVE EQUIVALENTS

ACTIVE
present simple present continuous past simple past continuous modal present perfect past perfect infinitive -ing form drives is driving drove was driving can drive has driven had driven (used to) drive driving

PASSIVE
is driven is being driven was driven was being driven can be driven has been driven had been driven (used to) be driven being driven

USE
We use the passive: 1. When we dont know who does the action. His car has been stolen by someone/ people. 2. When we want to emphasize the action, not who does it. The President chose this policy. (active) This policy was chosen by the President. (passive) 3. When we dont want to say who does the action. My boss has left the door open. (active) The door has been left open. (passive)

EOI Alcaiz pre-intermediate

GRAMMAR

SENTENCES WITH TWO OBJECTS

We can make two different passive sentences a) with the direct object as subject b) with the indirect object as subject
Example: John gave Helen these presents.

a) DIRECT OBJECT b) INDIRECT OBJECT

These presents were given to Helen. Helen was given these presents.

Make two different passive sentences from these active ones:

1. I gave John the tickets for the circus. 2. Their grandfather always tells them bedtime stories. 3. The Prime Minister offered him a post in the Cabinet. 4. They awarded him the Nobel Prize in 2005. 5. The stranger offered my little boy a sweet.

In sentences with think, consider, believe, say, report, know there are two possible passive forms:
People believe that petrol is too expensive It is believed that petrol is too expensive. Petrol is believed to be very expensive.

EXERCISES
This is part of a tourist guide on the history of a seaside town in the south of England. Put the verbs in brackets into the passive form.

A Short History of Barchester

People first began living in Barchester in the 12th century. The first houses (build) ___________ in 1155 and by 1200 the town (report) ___________ to have a population of 600. Work on the church in the High Street (begin) ___________ in the late 14th century but the building (not complete) ___________ until 1670. Unfortunately, much of the old church (destroy) ___________ during the last war but since 1946 the building carefully (renovate) ___________. In the last few years, many of the original medieval buildings (uncover) ___________ by archaeologists and a lot (learn) ___________ about the towns development . Before the 19th century, most of the inhabitants (employ) ___________ on local farms, but when the Industrial Revolution started, many people (attract) ___________to the cities where better wages (offer) ___________ by the large factories. Since the last war, new jobs (create) ___________ by the expanding holiday trade and the medieval town (surround) ___________ by new hotels and holiday flats. At the moment, a new housing estate (plan) ___________ but it (oppose) ___________ by residents who want to keep the historical flavour of the town.

EOI Alcaiz pre-intermediate

GRAMMAR

A. Make the following sentences passive:

1. Someone has broken two of my glasses. 2. Somebody built this bridge last year. 3. People speak English all over the world. 4. Somebody left the dog in the garden. 5. Nobody heard a sound. 6. They have built the house of stone. 7. Animals need water. 8. Industries are using a lot of water, 9. John was saving money. 10. His friends were laughing at Bill. 11. That city built a factory. 12. He has broken the chair. 13. The cooks were heating the water. 14. The bad weather is keeping us at home.

B. Correct the mistakes in these sentences.

1. Penicillin was discovered for Fleming. 2. Diana is been offered a good job. 3. Students arent allow to smoke in class. 4. Was your leg bit by a mosquito? 5. This house is said to have belong to Elvis Presley.

C. Change these sentences from active to passive, using no agent:

1. Someone drank the water. 2. They have found a lot of money. 3. Someone saw the ship. 4. They laughed at Mary. 5. They will heat some water.

D. Change these sentences from the active to the passive voice (auxiliary verbs)
1. My secretary can type the letter again. 2. I must find my keys. 3. Many countries should share the information. 4. That machine can make bottles. 5. A big factory may produce millions of cars. 6. A good engineer should check the production.

EOI Alcaiz pre-intermediate E. Translate into English (using passive sentences): 1. Cuntas personas fueron invitadas a la fiesta? 2. Le sirven a usted? 3. No se debe hablar espaol en clase. 4. Desde mi casa se puede ver la catedral. 5. Se han escrito algunos libros buenos este ao. 6. Se habla ingls. 7. Me enviaron un paquete muy grande. 8. Muchos cuadros han sido pintados por Goya. 9. Me dieron una caja llena de galletas. 10. Ese discurso ser dado por el Primer Ministro. F. Put the following sentences into the passive voice: 1. They havent cleaned the blackboard. 2. One drinks a lot of tea in England. 3. People play football everywhere. 4. He gave a book to his brother. (2) 5. He bought a present for his girlfriend. (2) 6. They will ask you several questions. (2) 7. People gave the Queen a warm welcome. (2) 8. The doctor ordered me to stay in bed. 9. They make these chairs in Sweden. 10. He parked the car in the garage. 11. They told the new students where to sit. 12. They told her to be quick. 13. They will look after you. 14. Real Madrid will not win the league. 15. The fire destroyed many valuable paintings. 16. The same man mended your shoes. 17. She hates people looking at her. 18. He lost the books in the shopping centre. 19. People speak Spanish in most countries of South America. 20. Mary will show me the new building. (2) 21. A car ran over your dog. 22. Shakespeare wrote this sonnet. 23. The Queen usually opens the Parliament. 24. Galileo invented the telescope. 25. They are building a new house near the old church.

GRAMMAR