Passive Voice

Reference

Common mistakes

1. The bridge built in 1900. → The bridge was built in 1900.
   the bridge didn't build anything → was + past participle
2. The meal is been cooked. → The meal has been cooked.
   present perfect passive: has been + PP
3. It was builded in 1900. → It was built in 1900.
   build → built (irregular past participle)
4. She was punished by her parents to arrive late. → She was punished by her parents for arriving late.
   punish + for + -ing

Passive Voice — Exercises

Active or passive?

Circle the correct answer.

1. Spanish _____ in Mexico and Argentina. (is spoken / speaks)
2. My wallet _____ on the train yesterday. (was stolen / stole)
3. The Eiffel Tower _____ in 1889. (was built / built)
4. These shoes _____ in Italy. (are made / make)
5. The winner _____ next week. (will be announced / will announce)
6. My bike _____! Call the police. (has been stolen / has stolen)
7. The film _____ by a famous director. (was directed / directed)
8. Millions of photos _____ online every day. (are posted / post)

Complete with the passive

Write the verb in the passive (be + past participle).

1. The match   (postpone) because of the rain.
2. Coffee   (grow) in Colombia.
3. The book   (write) by J.K. Rowling.
4. Our car   (repair) yesterday.
5. The results   (not / publish) yet.
6. The rooms   (clean) every morning.

Passive Voice — Answer Key

Active or passive?

1. is spoken — The language receives the action → present passive: is spoken.
2. was stolen — Past + we don't know who → was stolen.
3. was built — The tower didn't build anything → passive: was built.
4. are made — Plural subject → are made.
5. will be announced — Future passive: will be announced.
6. has been stolen — Present perfect passive: has been stolen.
7. was directed — The doer is added with by: was directed by…
8. are posted — What happens to the photos → are posted.

Complete with the passive

1. was postponed
2. is grown
3. was written
4. was repaired
5. haven't been published
6. are cleaned