Recap: The Passive

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2,4

The Passive

a quick recap

+

a short quiz

Active

Focus: who, subject 

Miss Matilda bought lots of broccoli

Passive

Focus: what, object

Lots of broccoli was bought by Miss Matilda. 

Active

Dave breaks the window.

Dave broke the window.

Dave has broken the window.

Dave had broken the window.

Dave will break the window.

Dave is breaking the window.

Passive

The window is broken by Dave.

The window was broken by ...

The window has been broken ..

The window had been broken ..

The window will be broken ...

The window is being broken ...

In a passive sentence you always have say 'by ....' to indicate who has done the activity

1. true
2. false

When you rewrite an active sentence into the passive the subject of the sentence changes

1. true
2. false

When you rewrite an active sentence into the passive the tense of the verb does NOT change

1. true
2. false

Quiz

For each sentence pick the correct rewritten version. 

The top sentence is always active. 

You have to select the correct passive version.

The builders demolished the old cinema.

1. The old cinema is demolished.
2. The old cinema was demolished.
3. The old cinema has been demolished.
4. The old cinema had been demolished.

The kids are singing a song.

1. A song is being sung.
2. A song is sung.
3. A song was being sung.
4. A song was sung.

We often play a game.

1. We have often played a game.
2. Often, we play a game.
3. A game is often played.
4. Played a game, have we often.

My parents have mowed the lawn.

1. The lawn is mowed.
2. The lawn was mowed.
3. The lawn has been mowed.
4. The lawn had been mowed.

Her boyfriend carried her backpack for her.

1. She had her backpack carried.
2. Her backpack was carried by him.
3. Her backpack had been carried.
4. Her boyfriend was carried.

From active to passive

Rewrite the sentence from active to passive.

The girls are carrying water to their village.

KEY

Water is being carried to the village (by the girls).

NASA has just launched a rocket into space.

KEY

A rocket has just been launched into space (by NASA).

Kevin had cleaned the room before he called Jackson.

KEY

The room had been cleaned before Jackson was called 

(by Kevin).