PASSIVE VOICE (intermediate) - ESL worksheet by Paola_ - Free Printable

Let's solve this step-by-step. The task is to convert each sentence into the passive voice.

In the passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject, and the verb is changed to a form of "be" + past participle. We often omit the doer (agent) unless it's important.

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Here are the sentences converted into the passive voice, with explanations where needed:

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1. The authorities have closed the casino.
→ The casino has been closed by the authorities.
*(Present perfect passive: have/has + been + past participle)*

2. They will announce the result of the match.
→ The result of the match will be announced.
*(Future passive: will + be + past participle)*

3. The government is building new schools.
→ New schools are being built by the government.
*(Present continuous passive: is/are + being + past participle)*

4. Students speak English in class.
→ English is spoken in class.
*(General truth; no need for "by students" since it's obvious or not necessary)*

5. A thief stole my bike.
→ My bike was stolen by a thief.
*(Simple past passive: was/were + past participle)*

6. He has just made dinner.
→ Dinner has just been made.
*(Present perfect passive: has/have + been + past participle)*

7. Thomas Edison patented the phonograph in 1877.
→ The phonograph was patented by Thomas Edison in 1877.
*(Simple past passive)*

8. The kids have already tidied the room.
→ The room has already been tidied by the kids.
*(Present perfect passive)*

9. They took a lot of photos when they were in Spain.
→ A lot of photos were taken when they were in Spain.
*(Simple past passive)*

10. He received a guitar for his eleventh birthday.
→ A guitar was received by him for his eleventh birthday.
*(Simple past passive)*
*(Note: "Received" is usually used in passive, but "was given" might sound more natural here. However, we're following the original verb.)*

11. On Sunday, a tornado destroyed thirty-two homes in Kentucky.
→ Thirty-two homes in Kentucky were destroyed by a tornado on Sunday.
*(Simple past passive)*

12. Argentina has just scored a goal.
→ A goal has just been scored by Argentina.
*(Present perfect passive)*

13. I’m going to buy some books tomorrow.
→ Some books are going to be bought by me tomorrow.
*(Future passive with "going to")*

14. They don’t use pesticides in organic farms.
→ Pesticides are not used in organic farms.
*(Present simple passive)*

15. Levi Strauss invented jeans.
→ Jeans were invented by Levi Strauss.
*(Simple past passive)*

16. Serena Williams has won the US Open.
→ The US Open has been won by Serena Williams.
*(Present perfect passive)*

17. Leonardo DiCaprio hasn’t won an Oscar yet.
→ An Oscar hasn’t been won by Leonardo DiCaprio yet.
*(Present perfect negative passive)*

18. We will install an Internet connection in every room of the house.
→ An Internet connection will be installed in every room of the house.
*(Future passive)*

19. My friends are having a party next week.
→ A party is being had by my friends next week.
*(Present continuous passive – though awkward, grammatically correct)*
*(Better alternative: "A party is going to be held..." – but we follow the original structure)*

20. I’m going to buy the newspaper for granddad.
→ The newspaper is going to be bought for granddad by me.
*(Future passive with "going to")*

21. Hackers will cause chaos to computers.
→ Chaos will be caused to computers by hackers.
*(Future passive – note: "cause chaos to" is awkward; better: "Chaos will be caused to computers" or "Computers will be affected by hackers.")*
*(But strictly following: "Chaos will be caused to computers by hackers.")*

22. Leonardo da Vinci finished the Mona Lisa in 1506.
→ The Mona Lisa was finished by Leonardo da Vinci in 1506.
*(Simple past passive)*

23. I drink coffee every morning.
→ Coffee is drunk every morning.
*(Present simple passive – general truth)*

24. He is wearing a hat.
→ A hat is being worn by him.
*(Present continuous passive)*

25. We have played that CD often.
→ That CD has been played often.
*(Present perfect passive)*

26. Paul is going to change his lifestyle completely.
→ His lifestyle is going to be changed completely by Paul.
*(Future passive)*

27. I’m starting a new job in June.
→ A new job is being started by me in June.
*(Present continuous passive)*

28. She is going to fail the test.
→ The test is going to be failed by her.
*(Future passive)*

29. He gave his girlfriend a bunch of flowers for St. Valentine’s Day.
→ A bunch of flowers was given to his girlfriend by him for St. Valentine’s Day.
*(Simple past passive – "to" is required after "given")*

30. We have bought a new car.
→ A new car has been bought.
*(Present perfect passive)*

31. She saw James at the airport.
→ James was seen at the airport by her.
*(Simple past passive)*

32. They use leather to make bags.
→ Leather is used to make bags.
*(Present simple passive – agent omitted as irrelevant)*

33. The mayor is lowering taxes.
→ Taxes are being lowered by the mayor.
*(Present continuous passive)*

34. My neighbours have planted a tree in the backyard.
→ A tree has been planted in the backyard by my neighbours.
*(Present perfect passive)*

35. A storm damaged the roof of the building a few days ago.
→ The roof of the building was damaged by a storm a few days ago.
*(Simple past passive)*

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✔ Final Answer (All Passive Voice Sentences):

1. The casino has been closed by the authorities.
2. The result of the match will be announced.
3. New schools are being built by the government.
4. English is spoken in class.
5. My bike was stolen by a thief.
6. Dinner has just been made.
7. The phonograph was patented by Thomas Edison in 1877.
8. The room has already been tidied by the kids.
9. A lot of photos were taken when they were in Spain.
10. A guitar was received by him for his eleventh birthday.
11. Thirty-two homes in Kentucky were destroyed by a tornado on Sunday.
12. A goal has just been scored by Argentina.
13. Some books are going to be bought by me tomorrow.
14. Pesticides are not used in organic farms.
15. Jeans were invented by Levi Strauss.
16. The US Open has been won by Serena Williams.
17. An Oscar hasn’t been won by Leonardo DiCaprio yet.
18. An Internet connection will be installed in every room of the house.
19. A party is being had by my friends next week.
20. The newspaper is going to be bought for granddad by me.
21. Chaos will be caused to computers by hackers.
22. The Mona Lisa was finished by Leonardo da Vinci in 1506.
23. Coffee is drunk every morning.
24. A hat is being worn by him.
25. That CD has been played often.
26. His lifestyle is going to be changed completely by Paul.
27. A new job is being started by me in June.
28. The test is going to be failed by her.
29. A bunch of flowers was given to his girlfriend by him for St. Valentine’s Day.
30. A new car has been bought.
31. James was seen at the airport by her.
32. Leather is used to make bags.
33. Taxes are being lowered by the mayor.
34. A tree has been planted in the backyard by my neighbours.
35. The roof of the building was damaged by a storm a few days ago.

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Let me know if you'd like these rewritten with simpler language or if you want explanations for any specific sentence!