What is Passive Voice?

In English, all sentences are in either “active” or “passive” voice:

We often prefer the passive when it is not so important who or what did the action. In this example, it is not so important who built the house.

(Note: V3 - 3rd column of Irregular verbs)

In a passive sentence, we often omit the actor completely:

1. English is spoken all over the world.
2. Cricket is played in Australia.
3. The grapes are grown in California.

1. I was born in 1976.
2. Mistakes were made.
3. A letter was written by Rita two days ago.

1. This street has already been closed because of snow.
2. The dishes have not been washed by my little brother.
3. John has been asked to make a speech at the meeting.

1. The passive voice is used frequently.
2. The house was built in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.)
3. The road is being repaired. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the repairs.)
4. I was born in 1976.
5. Where were you born?
6. Loading software on the drive is damaged.
7. All the work was done by Mr Brown yesterday.
8. A mistake was made.
9. Mistakes were made.
10. My bike was stolen.
11. She was invited to the party.
12. A letter was written.
13. A letter was written by Rita two days ago.
14. A letter has been written by Rita.
15. A letter will be written by Rita.
16. The lion was killed by the hunter.
17. I noticed that a window had been left open.
18. All the cookies have been eaten.
19. "A Hard Day's Night" was written by the Beatles.
20. The movie was directed by Spielberg.
21. This house was built by my father.
22. The house was painted last week.
23. He was helped to tidy the garage.
24. The house wasn't built in 1899.
25. These houses weren't built in 1899.
26. Was the house built in 1899?
27. Were these houses built in 1899?
28. The president was elected by the people.
29. The bag was packed by his mother.
30. Football is played by the children.
31. The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.
32. Coffee is sold by Marie.
33. You have to be tested on your English grammar.
34. John might be promoted next year.
35. She wants to be invited to the party.
36. I expect to be surprised on my birthday.
37. You may be disappointed.
38. I was sent to negotiate.
39. The windows have been cleaned.
40. English is spoken all over the world.
41. Lunch was being served.
42. It is believed that he is a liar.
43. The work will be finished soon.
44. They might have been invited to the party.
45. She was attacked by a dangerous dog.
46. He was given a book for his birthday.
47. She was sent a cheque for a thousand euros.
48. The meeting was called off.
49. He was looked after by his grandmother.
50. He will be sent away to school.
51. John has been asked to make a speech at the meeting.
52. You are supposed to wear a uniform.
53. The meeting is scheduled to start at seven.
54. At dinner, six shrimp were eaten by Harry.
55. The obstacle course was run by me in record time.
56. An invitation was given to Ann.
57. I was written a letter by Rita.
58. Have You ever been biten by a dog?
59. What do you think is the most popular luxury item in your country? Who is it made by?
60. Has the work been finished by you?
61. Were you recognized by her?
62. By whom was this book written?
63. When will the results be announced (by them)?
64. Were the thieves caught?
65. Will my apology be accepted?
66. Will the workers be replaced by computers?
67. Where was the first underground railway opened?
68. What is known about the subject?
69. Where was the book put?
70. How was the experiment finished?
71. When was the church built?
72. She assumes they are mistaken.
73. What is imported by your country?
74. What materials are your clothes or shoes made from?
75. Who are your favorite clothes made by?
76. Where is your favorite fruit grown?
77. Has anything been damaged by storm during last night?
78. By whom were made this mess?
79. I was just assigned my first group project.
80. You have to know what you’re being asked before you can give the right answer.
81. Are You surprised by the given answers?
82. Make sure that the answers you’re given match the question you think you’ve been asked.
83. What might happen if this practice were to be outlawed?
84. The police were called to break up the fight.
85. - Has He been trusted?
86. The details of the arrangement are currently being worked out.
87. How will I be trained? How will my performance be reviewed?
88. Due to fog, all flights from the airport have been canceled.
89. Valuebles can be left in the hotel safe.
90. Booking must be made at least seven days before departure.
91. As Jonas was introduced to Ms Lopes, he realised that he met her before.
92. Nothing could be done before morning.
93. What are questions you have been asked on a date?
94. Gunpowder was invented during the late Tang dynasty (9th century).
95. Before Gunpowder invention, many incendiary devices had been used, including Greek fire.
96. Bomb disposal experts were called to the scene.
97. Traffic was diverted away from the closed section of the motorway.
98. Surrounding roads were also been affected.
99. My attitude is based on how you treat me.
100. Our planet is wrapped in a mass of gases.
101. Waste materials are disposed of in a variety of ways.
102. The United Kingdom of Great Britain is situated on the British Isles.
103. Cooking or keeping food in rooms is not permitted.
104. How picture often is described?
105. When was telephon invented?
106. Doctors are paid more than teachers.
107. Salt is used to flavour food.
108. Some singular nouns are used with a plural verbs.
109. Are the police well-paid?
110. Learner drivers are not allowed to drive on their own.
111. Every seat in the theatre was taken.
112. You may be required to write an essay that is based on your own personal opinion.
113. If you have been affected by any of the issues the following organisations may be able to help.
114. What are we allowed to say?
115. The police inspector was informed about robbery at 8 o'clock yesterday evening.
116. Your luggage will be brought to Your room in ten minutes.
117. Flirting is a way to show a person that You are attracted to them when You speak to them.

Idea

1. It is said that she is very smart.
2. It is reported that a formal complaint has been made about the incidents.
3. It is known that the Doctor requires companions.
4. It is expected that China will become involved in these activities.
5. However, it is considered that many of those who are infected with the virus are unaware of this.
6. It is believed that summer is the hottest season.
7. It is thought that boys need a better education to look after their families when they grow up.
8. It is understood that the export of those items was approved.

Task, assignment, problem, issue, matter, information

1. This assignment has been already done. (Present Perfect)
2. Information about this project has been already received. (Present Perfect)
3. I thought, the matter was settled. (Past Simple)
4. I was just assigned my first group project. (Past Simple)
5. All the work was done by Mr Brown yesterday.
6. The details of the arrangement are currently being worked out.

Report, review, application

1. Report has been already done. (Present Perfect)
2. Report has been already written. (Present Perfect)
3. Review was written yesterday. (Past Simple)
4. The application for a new job was faxed. (Past Simple)

complaint, phone calls

1. The customers’ complaints are always answered by Customer Service Manager. (Present Simple)

Meeting, daily/weekly/monthly agenda, appointments, tasks, goals

1. The meeting has been rescheduled. (Present Perfect)
2. An agenda has been already settled. (Present Perfect)
3. An appointment with our customers has been already scheduled. (Present Perfect)
4. Goals has been set by our Manager. (Present Perfect)
5. The meeting is scheduled to start at seven. (Present Simple)
6. What have You been asked at the meeting? (Present Perfect)

1. In our office coffee is always made by Peter.

Exercise 1. Write passive sentences in Present Simple.

The office / clean / every day              The office is cleaned every day.
The documents / print                       The documents are printed.

1. The window / open ...
2. The shoes / buy ...
3. Road / repair ...
4. The car / wash ...
5. The letter / send ...
6. An ice-cream / eat ...
7. The book / read / not ...
8. The food / eat / not ...
9. The shop / close / not ...
10. Coffee / bring / Ann ...
11. Money / collect /John ...
12. Glass / make / from sand ...
13. Meal / cook ...
14. The job / finish ...
15. Report / send ...
16. Homework / do ...
17. The work / do ...
18. This task / do ...
19. This task / finish ...
20. Documentation / provide / Project Administrator
21. This book / not read / they / often ...
22. The bill / pay / Kerrie ...
23. The thieves / catch / the police ...
24. An email / write / every day ...
25. She / send / negotiate ...
26. This mistake / make / Peter ...
27. The letters / type / secretary...
28. Necessary paperwork / prepare / Staff Assistant ...
29. The cars / repair / that man ...
30. The flowers / water / every day ...
31. Portuguese / speak / in Brazil ...
32. She / teach / How to use this applications ...
33. We / instruct / about safety / Safety Officer ...
34. Stamps / sell / in a post office ...
35. This room / not / use / very often ...
36. Wheat / grow / here ...
37. Tomatoes / sell / this shop ...
38. All pupils / supply with / textbook ...
39. Many tools / produce / from plastic ...
40. Paper / make / from wood ...
41. This museum / visit / tourists ...
42. I / write / letter / Rita ...
43. As a rule this Report / prepare / Staff Assistant ...
44. This review / send / Administrative Coordinator ...
45. He / take / his medicine every day ...
46. Dinner / might / cook / James ...
47. Staff / receive / appropriate report ...
48. Travel arrangements / make / Secretary ...
49. Office activities / organize / Administration Manager ...
50. These issues / maintain / team ...