PASSIVE VOICE EXERCISES.: English ESL worksheets pdf & doc - Free Printable

Let's solve the grammar exercise step by step. We'll convert passive sentences into active and active sentences into passive, explaining the rules and transformations.

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🔹 PART 1: PASSIVE INTO ACTIVE

In passive voice, the subject receives the action. In active voice, the subject performs the action.

Rule:
Passive → Active
Object (receiver) + was/were + verb-ed → Subject (doer) + verb + object

We identify the doer ("by" phrase), make it the subject, and change the verb accordingly.

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#### 1. The spider was killed by the boy.
→ The boy killed the spider.
*(Doer: "the boy", Action: killed, Receiver: "the spider")*

#### 2. The thief is going to be caught by the police.
→ The police are going to catch the thief.
*(Future tense: "is going to be caught" → "are going to catch")*

#### 3. A kite is being made by the boy.
→ The boy is making a kite.
*(Present continuous passive → present continuous active)*

#### 4. The dog was frightened by the sudden noise.
→ The sudden noise frightened the dog.
*(Note: "frightened" is a transitive verb here — the noise caused fear in the dog)*

#### 5. The light bulb was invented by Edison.
→ Edison invented the light bulb.
*(Simple past passive → simple past active)*

#### 6. A very remarkable discovery will be made by him.
→ He will make a very remarkable discovery.
*(Future passive → future active)*

#### 7. He was betrayed by his own brother.
→ His own brother betrayed him.
*(Past passive → past active)*

#### 8. My old car has been sold.
→ Someone has sold my old car.
*(No clear agent? Use "someone" or "they" if unspecified)*
*Alternative:* I have sold my old car. *(if implied)*
But since the original doesn’t say who, we assume an unknown person: Someone has sold my old car.

#### 9. The store was opened only last month.
→ Someone opened the store only last month.
*(Again, no "by" phrase, so we use "someone" as the doer)*
*Or:* They opened the store only last month.

#### 10. Smoking in the kitchen isn't permitted.
→ They don't permit smoking in the kitchen.
*(Implied authority — e.g., rules, management)*
*Or:* People aren't allowed to smoke in the kitchen.
But for direct conversion: They don't permit smoking in the kitchen.

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✔ PASSIVE TO ACTIVE Answers:

1. The boy killed the spider.
2. The police are going to catch the thief.
3. The boy is making a kite.
4. The sudden noise frightened the dog.
5. Edison invented the light bulb.
6. He will make a very remarkable discovery.
7. His own brother betrayed him.
8. Someone has sold my old car.
9. Someone opened the store only last month.
10. They don't permit smoking in the kitchen.

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🔹 PART 2: ACTIVE INTO PASSIVE

Now reverse the process.

Rule:
Active → Passive
Subject + verb + object → Object + was/were + verb-ed + by subject

We need to identify:
- The object of the active sentence → becomes the subject in passive
- The subject → becomes "by..." (optional if not important)
- Verb changes to passive form (be + past participle)

Also note: Some verbs (like "help", "admit", "finish") can be tricky with modal verbs or perfect tenses.

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#### 1. My husband can help you if you need him.
→ You can be helped by my husband if you need him.
*(Modal "can" stays; "help" → "be helped"; "you" becomes subject)*

#### 2. Two boys broke the window with a ball.
→ The window was broken by two boys with a ball.
*(Simple past → passive: "was broken")*

#### 3. They should study the new lessons a bit harder.
→ The new lessons should be studied a bit harder.
*(Focus on lessons — "should be studied")*
*Note: "They" is the subject doing the studying, but the object "lessons" becomes the focus.*

#### 4. People are admiring Paul’s paintings lately.
→ Paul’s paintings are being admired by people lately.
*(Present continuous → passive: "are being admired")*

#### 5. She was cleaning the house all afternoon.
→ The house was being cleaned by her all afternoon.
*(Past continuous → passive: "was being cleaned")*

#### 6. Luka will have finished the unit by Monday.
→ The unit will have been finished by Luka by Monday.
*(Future perfect → passive: "will have been finished")*

#### 7. Yenia has passed the last two exams with a great mark.
→ The last two exams have been passed by Yenia with a great mark.
*(Present perfect → passive: "have been passed")*

#### 8. They make this car in Japan.
→ This car is made in Japan.
*(General truth — no need for "by them" unless specified)*
*Alternatively:* This car is made by them in Japan.

#### 9. Mike has been learning a new language for three years.
→ A new language has been learned by Mike for three years.
*(Present perfect continuous → passive: "has been learned")*
*Note: This sounds awkward because "learn" is not typically used in passive when referring to acquiring knowledge. But grammatically correct.*
*Better alternative:* Mike has been learning a new language... (this one is better left active — passive is unnatural here)

#### 10. Who wrote Hamlet?
→ By whom was Hamlet written?
*(Question → passive question: invert "was" and subject)*

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✔ ACTIVE TO PASSIVE Answers:

1. You can be helped by my husband if you need him.
2. The window was broken by two boys with a ball.
3. The new lessons should be studied a bit harder.
4. Paul’s paintings are being admired by people lately.
5. The house was being cleaned by her all afternoon.
6. The unit will have been finished by Luka by Monday.
7. The last two exams have been passed by Yenia with a great mark.
8. This car is made in Japan. (or: This car is made by them in Japan.)
9. A new language has been learned by Mike for three years. *(grammatically correct, but unusual)*
10. By whom was Hamlet written?

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📝 Summary Tips:

| Rule | Example |
|------|--------|
| Passive → Active | Move "by" agent to subject position |
| Active → Passive | Make object the subject, add "by" + doer |
| Modals (can, should) | Keep modal, add "be" + past participle |
| Perfect tenses | Add "have/has/had been" + past participle |
| Continuous tenses | Use "be being" + past participle |
| Questions | Invert auxiliary verb and subject |

Let me know if you'd like these rewritten in a printable format!