Grammar-Quizzes › Verb Phrases › Verb Groups › Passive
Passive Voice
Summary of Practices
Passives—Diagnostic Quiz
Passive Diagnostic: identify specific points that need review
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
"Patient" as Subj: focus on the person or thing that undergoes the action
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Grammar Notes Using Passives Dispute
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the sentence
My sister had (bore) a baby.
⇒ A baby was born.
The doctor helped the baby.
⇒ The baby was helped by the doctor.
*What was happened?
Project as Subj: place focus on the collective work (when the agents are too many to list)
Intermediate–Advanced ESL & Native Speakers
Practice 1 – edit the sentence
Practice 2 – complete the sentence (MC)
The human genome is being mapped by scientists. (too many to mention)
Better cancer treatment is expected by everyone.
This knowledge can be used by anyone.
By-phrases: include identifying, important information
Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – Include it / omit it
Practice 3 – Edit the paragraph
An emergency call was received by the police late last night.
An emergency call was received [by someone] late last night.
Passive Verb w/ Indirect Object: focus on the "patient" or the "recipient" of the action taken
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Our math teacher assigned us a project.
A project was assigned to us by our math teacher.
We were assigned a project by our math teacher.
We were announced the project.
The project was explained me.
The project was explained to me.
Intransitive Verbs (Never Passive) recognize verbs that do not take objects
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Also see Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs.
The audience laughed.
*The audience was laughed.
The baby weighed 7 lbs.
*The baby was weighed 7 lbs.
Nonfinite Clauses—Timing & Voice: express earlier, same or later timing (active & passive)
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Jack seems to have left the door unlocked. (earlier)
He should have known better. (earlier)
Jack remembers having left in a hurry. (earlier)
He admits to being preoccupied. (same time)
He was told to lock the door. (same time)
He plans to double-check the door before leaving. (later)
Get-Passives: express circumstance or emotional response to an action or event
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice Complete the sentence (MC)
I got hacked! (someone got into my computer data)
I got upset. (participle modifier / adj. –not a true passive)
I got fooled. "Poor me!"
I got my computer restored. "I did it myself"
I got a technician to restore my computer. "I made it happen."
Clause Reduction 1: shorten modifying clauses with be verb forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Clause Reduction (be verb forms)
Gerund Clause (progressive)
Participle Clause (passive)
Avoiding the Loss of Information
Practice – multiple choice
Also known as that + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a nonfinite relative clause.
The seat [that was] next to me was empty.
A talk show [which is] trying to improve its rating may plan a fight.
The woman [who is] seated behind me is eating popcorn.
Clause Reduction 2: shorten modifying clauses that have active verb forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Reducing a Clause (active verb forms)
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Also known as that + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a nonfinite relative clause.
The committee [which meets] next week will discuss a new bill.
The committee meeting next week will discuss a new bill.
Past Participle Clauses: reduce modifying clauses that have passive verb forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Also known as that + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a nonfinite relative clause.
The Golden Gate Bridge, [which was] designed by Charles Ellis, ...
The Golden Gate Bridge, designed by Charles Ellis, ...
Present Participle Clauses: reduce modifying clauses that have active verb forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Also known as that + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a nonfinite relative clause.
The federal agency, which was locating the prison on Alcatraz,
preferred the isolated location of the island.
The federal agency, which was located in San Francisco,
preferred the isolated location of the island.
Been / Being: contrast the sounds of been and being
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – complete the sentence (MC)
We've been quiet.
(present perfect - active)
We're being quiet.
(present progressive - active)
We've been seen by Dr. Allen.
(present perfect - passive)
We 're being seen by Dr. Allen (present progressive - passive)
Passive in Context: identify passive sentences in the context of an article
Intermediate ESL, Native Speaker
Practice 1 – answer questions (MC)
"Mapping the human genome has
been compared with putting a man on the moon, ..."
The medical benefits of genome science, scientists agree, must be used to benefit all people, not only a privileged few.
Participle w/ Preps: express reaction to circumstances or things
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Participle Modifier & Preposition List
Coordinated Participial Modifiers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Related Practices: Participle-Prep Prac, Gerund Objects, Verb + PP Prac 1, Verb + PP Prac 2, Verb + PP Prac 3
The children were interested in hearing his story.
The press was excited about the President's speech.
The President is pleased with the
response.
The President is pleased with how the people responded.
He is interested in and excited about his new project.
Participle + Prep: pair participle modifiers with prepositions
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Practice– multiple choice
Celebrities are concerned ____(at, with, by, about) the activities of the Paparazzi.