To change a sentence from active voice to passive voice, we need to move the object (the thing receiving the action) to the front of the sentence. The subject (the doer) usually moves to the end or is removed. We also need to change the verb form to include "be" + the past participle (like *eaten*, *seen*, *kept*).
Here is the step-by-step conversion for each sentence:
1.
He keeps me waiting.
* Object: *me* (becomes *I*)
* Verb: *keeps* (present simple) $\rightarrow$ *am kept*
* Result:
I am kept waiting.
2.
The boy is climbing the cliff.
* Object: *the cliff*
* Verb: *is climbing* (present continuous) $\rightarrow$ *is being climbed*
* Result:
The cliff is being climbed by the boy.
3.
You cannot pump the ocean dry.
* Object: *the ocean*
* Verb: *cannot pump* (modal negative) $\rightarrow$ *cannot be pumped*
* Result:
The ocean cannot be pumped dry.
4.
I bought the baby a doll.
* This has two objects: *the baby* and *a doll*. We can make either one the subject. Usually, the person (*the baby*) is the better choice.
* Object: *the baby*
* Verb: *bought* (past simple) $\rightarrow$ *was bought*
* Result:
The baby was bought a doll by me.
* *(Alternative: A doll was bought for the baby by me.)*
5.
We saw you and him.
* Object: *you and him* (becomes *You and he*)
* Verb: *saw* (past simple) $\rightarrow$ *were seen*
* Result:
You and he were seen by us.
6.
They asked me my name.
* Object: *my name* (or *me*)
* Let's focus on *my name*.
* Verb: *asked* (past simple) $\rightarrow$ *was asked*
* Result:
My name was asked by them.
* *(Note: "I was asked my name by them" is also correct and often sounds more natural.)*
7.
We refused them admission.
* Object: *admission* (or *them*)
* Let's focus on *admission*.
* Verb: *refused* (past simple) $\rightarrow$ *was refused*
* Result:
Admission was refused to them by us.
* *(Note: "They were refused admission by us" is also correct.)*
8.
They found him guilty of murder.
* Object: *him* (becomes *He*)
* Verb: *found* (past simple) $\rightarrow$ *was found*
* Result:
He was found guilty of murder.
9.
A thunderstorm often turns milk sour.
* Object: *milk*
* Verb: *turns* (present simple) $\rightarrow$ *is turned*
* Result:
Milk is often turned sour by a thunderstorm.
10.
They saw the storm approaching.
* Object: *the storm*
* Verb: *saw* (past simple) $\rightarrow$ *was seen*
* Result:
The storm was seen approaching.
Final Answer:
1. I am kept waiting.
2. The cliff is being climbed by the boy.
3. The ocean cannot be pumped dry.
4. The baby was bought a doll by me.
5. You and he were seen by us.
6. My name was asked by them. (Or: I was asked my name by them.)
7. Admission was refused to them by us. (Or: They were refused admission by us.)
8. He was found guilty of murder.
9. Milk is often turned sour by a thunderstorm.
10. The storm was seen approaching.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of active and passive verb worksheet.
