Rewrite the sentences in the passive, where possible.

1. John opened the door.

...The door was opened by John.

2. They didn't come home late last night.

...It cannot be changed.

3. Their nanny takes them to the park every day.

4. I left very early yesterday afternoon.

5. Meg asked the policeman for directions.

6. Charles is moving house next month.

7. The letter arrived two days ago.

8. Sam took these photographs.

Fill in by or with.

1. The lock was broken... with... a hammer.

2. This book was written … my favourite author.

3. The cake was decorated… icing.

4. The tiger was shot … a gun.

5. Claire was shouted at … her teacher.

6. He was hit on the head … an umbrella.

Rewrite the sentences in the passive.

1. Someone is repairing the garden fence.

... The garden fence is being repaired....

2. Do they teach Latin at this school?

3. I don't like people pointing at me.

4. She hit him on the head with a tennis racquet.

5. Michael has made the preparations.

6. Is Tim cleaning the house?

7. Who built the Pyramids?

8. The boss is going to give us a pay rise.

9. I expect they will deliver my new car soon.

10. The police are questioning the suspects.

11. Did your next door neighbours see the thieves?

12. Paul remembers his teacher asking him to star in the school play.

13. A lot of children use computers nowadays.

14. Who smashed the kitchen window?

15. They won't have completed the work by the end of the month.

16. The children will post the letters.

17. People make wine from grapes.

18. Had Helen closed the windows before she left the house?

19. Jill hasn't done the housework yet.

20. They may not deliver the parcel today.

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct passive tense.

A: Do you still work at Browns and Co?

B: Yes, I do. I 1)... have been employed... (employ) by Mr Brown for five years now, you know.

A: Oh. Do you still enjoy it?

B: Oh yes! I 2) … (give) a promotion last year and I'm very happy.

A: A promotion? So, what is your job now?

B: I 3) … (make) Head of European Sales.

A: So, what do you do?

B: Well, sometimes I 4) … (send) to other countries on business.

A: I see. Do they pay you well?

B: Well, I 5) … (pay) quite well and I expect I 6) … (give) a pay rise soon.

A: Good for you!

PERSONAL / IMPERSONAL CONSTRUCTION

The verbs think, believe, say, report, know, expect, consider, understand, etc. are used in the following passive patterns in personal and impersonal constructions.

active: People say that he has lost his job.

passive: a) It is said (that) he has lost his job. (impersonal construction)

b) He is said to have lost his job. (personal construction)

active: People know that she works hard.

passive: c) It is known (that) she works hard.

d) She is known to work hard.

active: People think he left the country last night.

passive: e) It is thought (that) he left the country last night.

f) He is thought to have left the country last night.