Let’s review the English grammar that we looked at in our previous post. Here are a couple of practice exercises to reinforce forming the passive voice in English. In the first section, try to rewrite the active sentences in the passive voice.

Part 1

Example:

Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.         

->         

The Mona Lisa was painted by Da Vinci.

1 People eat pizza in New York City every day.

2 Yesterday, the mechanic* fixed my car.

3 Tomorrow, they will play the game.

4 They have finished the project.

5 Next week, someone is going to paint the house.

6 Right now, they are building the new skyscraper*.

7 Someone was stealing apples from the store.

8 When I arrived, they had already made a decision.

*What is a mechanic?

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/mechanic

*What is a skyscraper?

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/skyscraper

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2

1

Answer Key

1 Pizza is eaten in New York City every day.

2 Yesterday, my car was fixed (by the mechanic).

3 Tomorrow, the game will be played.

4 The project has been finished.

5 Next week, the house is going to be painted.

6 Right now, the new skyscraper is being built.

7 Apples were being stolen from the store.

8 When I arrived, a decision had already been made.

Part 2

In this section we have to read the sentences and make a decision. Are the verbs in the sentences in the active voice or the passive voice?

1 Professor Green has been teaching at the University since 1989.                 

2 A new movie will be released by that studio next week.

3 I killed the cockroach.

4 She liked the post.

5 The students were introduced to their new teacher yesterday.

6 Our plan is being reviewed by the members of the committee.

7 He took her to the hospital.

8 They will give a prize to the person who solves this equation.

9 By the end of the day, the problem had been solved.
                                                                                                

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2

1

Answer Key

1 active

2 passive

3 active

4 active

5 passive 

6 passive

7 active

8 active

9 passive

We hope this exercise has been helpful. Leave a comment with any questions that you have!