Passive sentences

8-1 ACTIVE SENTENCES AND PASSIVE SENTENCES

a) ACTIVE: Bob mailed the package.

b) PASSIVE: The package was mailed by Bob.

c) ACTIVE: The teacher corrects our homework.

d) PASSIVE: Our homework is corrected by the teacher.

e) ACTIVE: Mr. Lee has taught this class.

f) PASSIVE: This class has been taught by Mr. Lee.

g) ACTIVE: Bob will mail the package.

h) PASSIVE: The package will be mailed by Bob.

Exercise 1: Change the sentences from active to passive.

1. Columbus discovered the New World.

2. Thomas Edison invented the phonograph.

3. Water surrounds the island.

4. A maid will clean our hotel room.

5. A plumber is going to fix the leaky faucet.

6. A doctor has examined the sick child.

7. The police arrested James Swan.

8. A large number of people speak Spanish.

9. The secretary is going to type the letter.

10. The teacher’s explanation confused Carlos.

11. My mistake embarrassed me.

12. Helicopters fascinate children.

13. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.

14. This news will amaze you.

Exercise 2: Change the sentences from active to passive.

1. A thief stole Ann’s purse.

2. Did a cat kill the bird?

3. My cat didn’t kill the bird.

4. A squirrel didn’t bite the jogger.

5.A dog bit the jogger.

6. Do a large number of people speak English?

7. Did Johnny break the window?

8. Is the janitor going to fix the window?

9. More than 100 people have signed the petition.

10. Did Shakespeare write A Midsummer Night Dream?

11. Ernest Hemingway didn’t write A Midsummer Night Dream.

12. Will a maid clean our hotel room?

13. Does the hotel provide clean towels?

14.Sometimes my inability to understand spoken English frustrates me.

Exercise 3: Study the examples.