The Passive: Choice and Effect

Reference

Common mistakes

1. He was elected as captain to be. → He was elected captain.
   elect + complement, no as / to be
2. Prices were risen sharply. → Prices rose sharply.
   rise is intransitive → no passive
3. The plan was done away. → The plan was done away with.
   keep the whole verb
4. Unemployment was decreased last year. → Unemployment decreased last year.
   ergative → active form

The Passive: Choice and Effect — Exercises

Choose the best form

Circle the correct answer.

1. She _____ one of the finest architects of the century. (is considered / considers / is considered as being to be)
2. Unemployment _____ by 3% last year. (fell / was fallen / was fell)
3. The bridge _____ unsafe after the inspection. (was deemed / deemed / was deemed as to be)
4. Which sentence hides responsibility? (Errors were made in the report. / The manager made errors in the report. / The manager admitted his errors.)
5. The ice _____ quickly in the sun. (melted / was melted / had been melt)
6. Many traditions _____ in the name of progress. (have been done away with / have been done away / have done away with)
7. He was appointed _____ of the committee. (chair / as to be chair / to chair being)
8. The defendant was found _____ . (not guilty / to not guilty / as not guilty)

Complete the sentence

Write the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. Profits   dramatically in the last quarter. (increase)
2. She   president of the club in 2022. (elect)
3. The old system   with years ago. (do away, present perfect passive)
4. The plan was   too risky by the board. (deem)
5. The window   in the storm — nobody touched it. (break)
6. He felt he had been taken   of. (advantage)

The Passive: Choice and Effect — Answer Key

Choose the best form

1. is considered — verb + object + complement → is considered.
2. fell — fall is intransitive → fell.
3. was deemed — was deemed + adjective.
4. Errors were made in the report. — Agentless passive: nobody is named.
5. melted — Ergative: natural process → melted.
6. have been done away with — Keep the particle and preposition: done away with.
7. chair — appoint + complement → appointed chair.
8. not guilty — found + adjective: not guilty.

Complete the sentence

1. increased
2. was elected
3. has been done away
4. deemed
5. broke
6. advantage