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Using the Passive

Using the Passive

Reference

Rule Example
unknown / obvious doerpassive, no byMy bike was stolen.
important doerpassive + bydesigned by Gaudí
questionWas / Were + subject + participleWhen was it built?
negativewasn't / aren't + participleDogs aren't allowed.
two objectsperson as subjectI was given a present.
phrasal verbbe + participle + particleIt was called off.

Common mistakes

  1. The thief was arrested by the police. → The thief was arrested.
    obvious doer → leave out by
  2. When was built the bridge? → When was the bridge built?
    question: be + subject + participle
  3. A present was given me. → I was given a present.
    the person → subject
  4. The match was called because of rain. → The match was called off because of rain.
    keep the particle

Using the Passive — Exercises

Choose the best sentence or form

Circle the correct answer.

  1. _____ the tickets sold online? (Were / Did / Have)
  2. Pets _____ allowed in this hotel. (aren't / don't / isn't)
  3. When _____ this church built? (was / did / is)
  4. I _____ a prize for my story. (was given / gave / was give)
  5. The concert was called _____ because the singer was ill. (off / out / up)
  6. Which is better? (The police caught the thief.) (The thief was caught. / The thief was caught by the police. / The police were caught.)
  7. Which is better? (A famous architect designed the stadium.) (The stadium was designed by a famous architect. / The stadium was designed. / The stadium designed a famous architect.)
  8. Our flight _____ because of the snow. (was cancelled / cancelled / was cancel)

Write the passive

Write the verb in brackets in the passive.

  1.   the window broken by the wind? (was)
  2. Photos   in the museum. (not / allow)
  3. She   a new laptop by her company. (give, past)
  4. The baby   by her aunt while her parents work. (look after, present)
  5. Where   these trainers made? (be, present)
  6. We   about the change. (not / tell, past)

Using the Passive — Answer Key

Choose the best sentence or form

  1. Were — Past passive question → Were the tickets sold?
  2. aren't — Negative present passive → aren't allowed.
  3. was — wh- question → When was it built?
  4. was given — Two objects → the person is the subject: I was given.
  5. off — call off = cancel → was called off.
  6. The thief was caught. — The doer is obvious → leave out by.
  7. The stadium was designed by a famous architect. — The doer is useful information → keep by.
  8. was cancelled — Past passive → was cancelled.

Write the passive

  1. Was
  2. aren't allowed
  3. was given
  4. is looked after
  5. are
  6. weren't told