Changing from Active into Passive

Use

PASSIVE VOICE

UNIT 15

The passive is formed with the appropriate tense of the verb to be + past participle. Only transitive verbs (verbs which take an object) can be put into the passive.

	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Present Simple	He gives lectures.	Lectures are given.
Present Continuous	He is giving a lecture.	A lecture is being given.
Past Simple	He gave a lecture.	A lecture was given.
Past Continuous	He was giving a lecture.	A lecture was being given.
Future Simple	He will give a lecture.	A lecture will be given.
Present Perfect	He has given a lecture.	A lecture has been given.
Past Perfect	He had given a lecture.	A lecture had been given.
Future Perfect	He will have given a lecture.	A lecture will have been given.
Present Infinitive	He should give a lecture.	A lecture should be given.
Perfect Infinitive	He should have given a lecture.	A lecture should have been given.
-ing form	She remembers him giving a lecture.	She remembers a lecture being given.
Perfect -ing form	Having given the lecture,...	The lecture having been given,...
modal + be + p.p	He must give a lecture.	The lecture must be given.

Present Perfect Continuous, Future Continuous and Past Perfect Continuous are not normally used in the passive.

Get is used in colloquial English instead of be to express something happening by accident. She ’ll get killed if she goes on driving like that.

Exercise 148. Translate into Russian paying special attention to the Passive Voice:

1. He was shown at once into a lounge. 2. For that he can be sent to prison. 3. Your husband is well thought of, which is very important. 4. Were you quite sure she had never been seen there before? 5. There are two things that must be connected. 6. The handwriting has been identified as hers. 7. The papers were set fire to in order to get rid of the evidence. 8. She found the room exactly as it had been left the night before. 9. He was still there, though all he had to tell had already been heard. 10. Her bed had not been slept in. 11. His tie was very badly arranged. 12. When on earth will the telegram be sent off? 13. She is not seen with George any longer. 14. It is not allowed to smoke here. 15. Look, what we’ve been sent.

The passive is used: a) when the person who performs the action (agent) is unknown, unimportant or obvious from the con text. Her flat was broken into yesterday. (by a burglar - obvious agent) b) to emphasize the agent Her wedding dress was delivered to her by the dressmaker herself yesterday. c) to make statements more formal or polite My dress has been ruined. (more polite than saying “You have ruined my dress”) and d) when we are more interested in the action than the agent, such as in news reports, formal notices, instructions, processes, headlines, advertisements, etc. A Christmas bazaar will be held tomorrow.

The object of the active verb becomes the subject in the passive sentence. The active verb changes into a passive form and the subject of the active verb becomes the agent, which is either introduced with “by” or is omitted.

Active Voice	Passive Voice
subject	verb	object	subject	verb	agent
John	posts	letters.	Letters	are posted	by John.

By + agent is used to say who or what did the action. She was knocked over by a car. With + instrument/material is used to say what the agent used or after past participles such as coloured, crammed, crowded, filled, flavoured, packed etc. She was killed with a hammer. By + agent is omitted when the agent is unknown, unimportant, obvious from the context or referred to by words such as: someone, people, I, etc. They revealed the truth. – The truth was revealed. (“ by them ” is omitted)

Verbs which take who objects (give, offer etc) form their passive in two ways; it is more usual to start the sentence with the person object, not the thing object. They offered Ann a bunch of flowers. – Ann was offered a bunch of flowers. (more usual than: A bunch of flowers was offered to Ann.)

Verbs followed by a preposition (accuse of, take down etc) take the preposition immediately after them when turned into the passive. She took down the minutes of the meeting. – The minutes of the meeting were taken down.

In passive questions with who, whom or which we do not omit by. Who gave you this information? – Who were you given this information by?

Hear, help, make, see are followed by a to-infinitive in the passive. She made me work overtime. – I was made to work overtime. Note that hear, see, watch can be followed by a present participle in the active and passive. We saw her crying. – She was seen crying.

Exercise 149. Change the sentences to the negative and interrogative.

1. A new schedule has been offered by the administration. 2. Ripe strawberries are gathered every day at this time of the year. 3. I’m given one more chance. 4. The canvas is finished by the artist at last. 5. The editorial has already been reviewed. 6. Lunch is being served now to a group of businessmen from Glasgow. 7. I’m being starved to death. 8. The children have been forgiven by their Mum. 9. These restaurants are being run at present by a Chinese owner. 10. We have been fascinated by the grandeur of the Niagara Falls.

Exercise 150. Agree or disagree with the statements. Give more details in your answers.

Use to agree:Use to disagree:

That’s true Not quite so.

Yes, certainly. I don’t think so.

Absolutely. I’m not sure that’s right.

1. The students’ grant is increased annually by the government. 2. The grant is paid to students three times a month. 3. The students are often blamed for missing their classes. 4. One hundred per cent presence in class has been achieved at your faculty. 5. Married students have been allowed by the dean to bring their babies to class. 6. Those who get only excellent marks are awarded with special scholarships. 7. The students are asked all kinds of difficult questions at the exams. 8. Much interest is being shown by the administration to students’ problems. 9. Every word of a lecturer is usually put down very diligently by the students. 10. All the students of your group have been praised by the dean for getting excellent marks. 11. Sometimes those who lag behind are trained by private tutors. 12. The students are constantly being overloaded with academic work.

Exercise 151. Change the active sentences below to sentences in the passive voice where possible. Explain the cases where it appears to be impossible.

1. I keep the memories of my past alive. 2. I’ve seen everything except elephants. 3. I always get sick when I eat prawns. 4. The bloke is singing a song to his girl. 5. Have Fanny and Annie given you anything? 6. He’s been quarrelling with the lodgers. 7. I study the Greeks. 8. I have seen some fights in my time, but never a one to equal this. 9. I understand what you’re saying. 10. But why is Harry going away again? 11. I’ve been expecting you. 12. Dottie has mailed me the book lately. 13. I don’t ask you to be a fool. 14. Have you forgotten what I told you?

Exercise 152. Fill in the blanks with the correct present passive forms.

1. I assure you I... so... since Christopher Columbus discovered America (surprise)! 2. As these words..., Christmas is approaching, my first Christmas as a free man in eight years (write). 3. You hate your life because you don’t know how to control it. You do what you... (tell). 4. “I am sorry to miss so much of your visit,” he said to me. “You... properly (look after)?” 5. “Sir,” said the Red Cow. “I beg you to remember that I am a decent, respectable animal and... from my infancy that jumping was no occupation for a lady (teach).” 6. I read the letter with relief and delight, and at that same moment decided to turn down the offer. I... to this sort of thing, and the reason that I... to moderate and tranquil motives is that I lack them (give, draw). 7. No work... ever... on it as far as I know (do). It’s just a common phenomenon. 8. Before anything further... I want to make one thing quite plain (say). 9. Andrews..., sir, and there must have been another person in the car (kill). 10. Robyn... that he once had a beard, and he is forever fingering his chin as if he missed it (tell). 11. “What time... supper...?” said Thompson. (order) 12. Forgive me, Commander. Luke and I... both... down to the island, then (order)? 13. He... Mr. Wigg because Mr. Wigg is his name (call). 14. In the afternoon a car comes for me, and takes me to the studio at Islington. I... to a dressing-room and..., then I have to go down and do my test (lead, make up).

Exercise 153. Restate each sentence, using another passive construction.

Pattern: He has been offered a new job. — A new job has been offered to him.

1. Larry has been sent a telegram. 2. A teacher is sometimes asked difficult questions by the students. 3. The visitors have been offered some coffee and sandwiches. 4. All the winners have been awarded with honorary diplomas. 5. The employees are being paid their salary. 6. The grandson has been forgiven his rude words by the kind granny. 7. I am being constantly refused getting a US visa. 8. He has been shown the design of his new office. 9. The students are given assignments at the end of each class.

Exercise 154. Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Simple or Past Continuous Passive.

Model: 1. They (shut) the window. The window was shut.

2. A beautiful melody (play). A beautiful melody was being played.

1. The student (ask) to tell the story again. 2. Such mistakes (make) by even the best students. 3. A modern tune (play) when we came into the concert hall. 4. Every morning the workers (tell) what they had to do. 5. The houses (build) of stone, brick and wood. 6. At last the problem (solve) to everyone’s satisfaction. 7. A new museum then (open). 8. A week ago two students of our group (choose) for jury service. 9. A special rule (make) for students to be taken to the University. 10. Last Friday he (meet) at the railway station. 11. When Tom was young, he (teach) two languages.

Exercise 155. Change the sentences from the active into the passive.

1. Santa Claus will leave your presents in the stocking. Your presents will be left in the stocking by Santa Claus. 2. Bad organization spoiled their holiday. 3. Teachers mark hundreds of exam papers every year. 4. Who wrote Romeo and Juliet? 5. You should dry your hair before you go out. 6. You mustn’t tell him the truth. 7. She likes people taking her to the theatre. 8. Why didn’t they give her the job? 9. She told them not to tell anyone. 10. They should have given us a bonus. 11. The doctors will bring him in for an examination. 12. Fog has delayed all flights. 13. She didn’t send me any parcels. 14. She had cleaned the house before I got there. 15. When we arrived at the hotel, they had filled all the rooms. 16. Why haven’t you invited Mary to the party? 17. Paula will help you finish your project. 18. The mayor is opening the new commUNITy centre next week. 19. We heard her complaining strongly to the manager. 20. You can leave your bags at the left-luggage office. 21. Workmen found some antique vases in the old house. 22. The architects have drawn up plans for the new local library. 23. Who gave him the new car? 24. They are going to set the lion free next week. 25. What time do you expect him to arrive.

Exercise156. Change the sentences from the passive into the active.

1. Who was the Mona Lisa painted by?... Who painted the Mona Lisa?... 2. The old barn has already been pulled down. 3. The results will be published in July. 4. The trip was ruined by bad weather. 5. The letter should have been posted last week. 6. Who was the money raised by? 7. Why hasn’t the house been painted yet? 8. She was heard shouting. 9. How much were you paid? 10. His car has been stolen. 11. I can’t bear being cheated. 12. A famous actress will be chosen to advertise this product. 13. Phillip was made to do the washing up. 14. The ozone layer is gradually being destroyed by pollution. 15. A bring-and-buy sale is being held next month. 16. Our house was done up by a famous interior decorator a month ago. 17. The cracks in the wall were caused by the earthquake. 18. Thousands of rare birds are killed by hunters every year. 19. Her purse was stolen on the bus. 20. When will we be told the time of Johnson’s arrival? 21. An ancient village has been uncovered by archaeologists. 22. Why hasn’t the dishwasher been repaired yet? 23. Anew drug is being developed by scientists. 24. A new breed of cow is to be introduced into the country by farmers. 25. The furniture will have been removed by noon. 26. Who were you going to be replaced by? 27. The island is being ruined by tourists. 28. Two rooms had been booked for her by her travel agent. 29. She was seen to leave the building. 30. Seats should have been reserved a week ago.

Exercise 157. Fill in “by” or “with”.

1. The Magus was written... John Fowles. 2. Who was the radio invented …? 3. She was knocked down … a bus. 4. Soup is eaten … a spoon. 5. The car was fixed … a mechanic. 6. The glass was cut … a special tool. 7. Her hair is coloured … henna. 8. “Born in the USA” was sung … Springsteen. 9. The roast was flavoured … wine. 10. Music will be played … the local band.

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

subject (person) + passive verb + to –inf. (personal construction) The police report that she is in France. She is reported to be in France.

it + passive verb + that –clause (impersonal construction) It is reported that she is in France.

Exercise158. Turn the following sentences into the passive:

1. They think he is lying. (He... is thought to be lying.... and It... is thought that he is lying...) 2. They believe he got lost in the forest. 3. They say she has been very ill. 4. They said the president had been shot. 5. They believe she was taking drugs. 6. They expect he will pass his driving test. 7. They said she was wrongly accused. 8. They believe he is leaving soon. 9. They say his health is very poor. 10. They report that some papers have been stolen.

Exercise159. Complete the sentences using the words in bold.

1. Many people believe that eating too fast causes indigestion.

believed It... is believed that eating... too fast causes indigestion.

2. The teacher will send you out if you keep on talking.

be You … if you keep on talking.

3. They are going to transfer him to Portugal.

be He … to Portugal.

4. They will have completed the construction by September.

been The … by September.

5. They are holding the caretaker responsible for the problems.

is The … for the problems.

6. A journalist is going to cover the story.

be The story … by a journalist.

7. They will have appointed a new director by the end of the week.

been A new … by the end of the week.

8. They gave him a gold watch when he retired.

was He … when he retired.

9. The mother told her son off for shouting.

was He … by his mother for shouting.

10. They are opening the new restaurant this evening.

is The new restaurant … this evening.

Exercise 160. A fire broke out yesterday at Chelsey. Look at the notes below, then report the incident. Use passive forms.

· fire – department store – 11.00 pm last night

· passer-by notice flames 2nd floor

· call firefighters – try to put it out

· 2 night-watchmen trapped – taken to hospital

· now treated for 3rd degree burns

· half building destroyed

· reason for fire: electrical fault

Exercise 161. Practise saying these sentences and answer the questions.

1. a) The secretary will mail these letters tomorrow. b) These letters will be mailed tomorrow, and what about these ones? 2. a) Someone ought to wash those dishes right away. b) These dishes ought to be washed right away, and what about these ones? 3. a) The factory produced 5,000 cars every day last year. b) 5,000 cars were produced every day last year, and what about this year? 4. a) People drink a great deal of tea in England. b) A great deal of tea is drunk in England, and what about your country? 5. a) Craftsmen make many beautiful objects of paper in Japan. b) Many beautiful objects of paper are made in Japan, and what about India? 6. a) They used to sell medicine here. b) Medicine used to be sold here, and where is it sold now? 7. a) You must return these books within a fortnight. b) These books must be returned within a fortnight and what about those ones? 8. a) A gang of workmen built this house in 1840. b) This house was built in 1840, and what about that one?

Exercise 162. Put the sentences into the Passive Voice where possible.

1. Someone will drive you to the railway station. 2. Goldfish live in fresh water. 3. The Egyptians built pyramids. 4. We walked thirteen miles yesterday. 5. They arrived at 7 last night. 6. They informed me about it. 7. I slept till nine. 8. It’s raining. 9. You must obey the rules. 10. He’s sneezing again. 11. You can buy videos like this anywhere. 12. Someone has to write the history of this place. 13. They have sold their car to pay the debts. 14. They hold a meeting in the village hall once a week. 15. They have proved that there is no life on the Moon. 16. They owe a lot of money to the bank.

Exercise 163. Express the following sentences in thePassive.

Model: They asked me my name and address.

I was asked my name and address.

1. Someone told us a very funny story yesterday. 2. The people gave him a hearty welcome. 3. They’ve offered my brother a very good job. 4. The house agents showed us some very nice flats. 5. The secretary didn’t tell me the exact time of my appointment. 6. They have never taught that rude boy good manners. 7. The teacher hasn’t asked Peter any questions at this lesson. 8. People wished the newly married couple a long and happy life. 9. They never tell me the family news. 10. The examiners didn’t give us enough time to answer all the questions. 11. A guide will show the tourists most of the sights of London. 12. He didn’t tell me the whole truth.

Exercise 164. Write the sentences in the Passive.

Model: (my sister/operate on/a distinguished surgeon)

My sister will be operated on by a distinguished surgeon.

1. (a sound of violin / hear / in the hall) 2. (he / praise / his father / hard work) 3. (Bob / take for / his brother) 4. (I / wake up / at 7 o’clock / my mother) 5. (the envelope / find / on my desk) 6. (this book / buy / a week ago) 7. (the picture / paint / great artist) 8. (the window / break / the other day) 9. (the letter / post / tomorrow) 10. (your report / discuss / next week) 11. (the time-table / change / in a week) 12. (we / meet / at the station / Tom) 13. (the letter / bring / recently) 14. (milk / spill / just / Jack) 15. (this cup / break / my little brother) 16. (the room / dust / carefully) 17. (she / show / the shortest way / station) 18. (the lecturer / ask / question / about Dreiser) 19. (I / lend / this book / last Tuesday) 20. (the telegram / send / her brother) 21. (the doctor / send for) 22. (the teacher / listen to / attentively) 23. (his speech / speak about / much) 24. (this article / refer to / often) 25. (the plan / agree upon) 26. (his lecture / listen to / with great interest) 27. (he / find fault with / always) 28. (this house / live in / never)

Exercise 165. Read the situation and write a sentence.

Model: 1. He seldom keeps his promise, (he/can/ rely on) He can’t be relied on.

2. He’s very sensitive, (he/not like/to laugh at) He doesn’t like to be laughed at.

1. The child is very ill. (the doctor / send for) 2. The old car is in excellent condition. (it / look after / well) 3. He was speaking for two hours. (he / listen to / in silence) 4. She is going into hospital tomorrow. (she / take good care of) 5. This little boy is always dirty. (he / look after / properly) 6. She is always breaking things in the kitchen. (she / speak to / about her carelessness) 7. He’s a sensible man. (his advice / listen to / carefully) 8. The dentist said her teeth were very bad. (they / take care of) 9. He never broke a promise in his life. (he / can / rely on) 10. Shakespeare was born more that 400 years ago. (he / look upon / as the greatest of English poets).

Exercise 166. Put the following into the Passive.

1. You can’t wash this dress. (it / dry-clean) 2. They discuss unimportant things. (a lot of time / waste) 3. They will type your letters in a minute. (the letters / type / in the other office) 4. I can’t play now. (my piano / repair / at the moment) 5. The guests ate all the sandwiches, and drank all the lemonade. (nothing / leave) 6. I can’t find my parcel anywhere. (it / post?) 7. I have no information. (I / inform / of the change of the plan) 8. I’m afraid we have sold all our copies but we have ordered more. (more / order) 9. The letter can’t be mailed. (it / not stamp) 10. I would like to meet her mother. (I / not introduce / yet) 11.The town is in ruin. (it / destroy / earthquake) 12. It is difficult to do. (it / more easily / do / machine)

Exercise 167. Work in twos. Ask questions with past passive constructions, using the word phrases given below. Start your questions with the words given in brackets. Respond correspondingly.

Model: to install a new computer programme — (when, how)

A: When was a new programme installed in your computer?

B: It was installed a week ago. (A.: How...)

1. to deliver letters from foreign universities — (which foreign universities, when) 2. to read mostly science fiction — (what for, why) 3. to play a football match — (where, when) 4. to adopt a new reconstruction programme — (what kind of, when) 5. to admit the applicant to the university — (who, where) 6. to broadcast music — (how often, what channel) 7. to close the talk-show — (why, when) 8. to dub a film — (who, how) 9. to change the initial plan — (who, why) 10. to maintain a boring talk — (what for, who)

Exercise 168. Make up the sentences with the past passive constructions.

Model: Samantha / to affect / the frankness of the answer =

Samantha was affected by the frankness of the answer.

1. This series of activities / to follow / another series 2. The artist / to influence / the predecessor 3. Our small travelling group / to join / a stranger 4. This sudden question / to answer / the hostess 5. Little Jimmy / to help / the elder brother 6. Junior school / to attend / six and seven-year olds 7. The playing children / to watch / the nurse 8. The commander’s order / to obey / the soldiers 9. The appearance of the book on sale / to succeed / film production 10. The audience in the assembly hall / to address / the chairman 11. Visits to Disneyland / to enjoy / children and adults alike 12. The houses at the foot of the mountain / to threaten / snow avalanches 13. Britney Spears / to approach / a throng of reporters 14. The splendour of the palace / to admire / the tourists 15. Parents / to contradict / their children

Exercise 169. Give the corresponding passive construction.

1. We looked through all the facts very attentively. 2. The gardener gathered all the dry leaves and set fire to them. 3. People will talk much about the successful debut of the young actress, no doubt. 4. You can rely upon your guide’s experience. 5. Why didn’t the speaker dwell longer upon this question? 6. You should send the sick man to hospital. They will look after him much better there. 7. He was very glad that nobody took notice of his very late arrival. 8. He was a brilliant speaker, and, whenever he spoke, the audience listened to him with great attention. 9. Why did they laugh at him? 10. Nobody ever referred to that incident again.

Exercise 170. Use the correct form in the Passive Voice.

1. Dictionaries may not (use) at the examination. 2. This copy (not read). The pages (not cut). 3. Why the car (not lock) or (put) into the garage? 4. I’m not wearing my black shoes today. They (mend). 5. This room (use) only on special occasions. 6. Bicycles must not (leave) in the hall. 7. He was taken to hospital this afternoon, and (operate on) tomorrow morning. 8. The damaged buildings (reconstruct) now, the reconstruction (finish) by May. 9. The paintings (exhibit) till the end of the month. 10. She heard footsteps, she thought she (follow). 11. Normally this street (sweep) every day, but it (not sweep) yesterday. 12. She is very selfish, she (spoil) by her parents. 13. This purse (leave) in a classroom yesterday, it (find) by the cleaner. 14. Thousands of new houses (build) every year. 15. Why don’t you use your car? – It (repair) now, I had a bad accident a week ago. – Anybody (hurt)? 16. The children are very excited this morning. They (take) to the circus this afternoon. 17. My keys (return) to me yesterday; they (pick up) in the street.

Exercise 171. Use the necessary tenses in the Passive Voice.

1. The living-room (sweep), (mop) and (dust). It is clean now. 2. We (tell) to wait because the man (question) in the room. 3. If he comes in you (find) looking through his papers. 4. For the first two minutes he (occupy) with eating; then as his appetite (quiet), he took his time. 5. Why nothing (do) about it at the time? 6. You can’t go in. She (interview) for the TV. 7. She promised that nothing (do) till he came back. 8. I had a most unpleasant feeling that I (watch). 9. She looked a different girl. Her face (wash), her hair (comb). All traces of tears (remove). 10. We could still see the tracks where the car (drag) off the road.

Exercise 1 72. Supply the required passive forms of the verbs in brackets.

1. Meg (look) upon as a perfect wife for a clergyman. 2. After his brother’s departure Paul sat for a long time thinking about what (say). 3. “I’m not prepared,” my father said, “to listen to your suggestions that you never (treat) fairly at school.” 4. “Remember I (pay) by an hour,” grumbled the driver. 5. But there were signs that order (restore) in the town. 6. Well, what (do) about it, Ted? 7. He went into the bedroom. The bed (turn) down for the night by the maid many hours before. 8. Please find out if our father (see) to leave. 9. He could have gone to Oxford if she had wanted, she (offer) a scholarship. 10. On Friday she (give) two weeks’ notice at the Works. 11. Then the voice announced that the passengers (ask) to pass through the Customs. 12. I wondered to what extent she (influence) by his name to accept his offer. 13. Such are the matters that (deal) with in Mr. Burroughs’s book. 14. I found the idea of going to Hereford very upsetting because I (promise) a very nice job a couple of weeks before. 15. Not far away she noticed the film manager in whose office she once (make) to feel so ridiculous.

Exercise 173. Use the verb in brackets in the appropriate form.

1. You can’t use the office at the moment, it (redecorate). 2. A new metro line (construct) now. One of its stations (build) in our street. 3. Like many medieval cities, Moscow developed round the walls of a stronghold. First a brick wall (build) around the merchants’ quarter which (know) as Kitaigorod, then, in the 16th century, a new wall (erect) round the so-called Bely Gorod. 4. Maize (use) by many peoples of the world to make their bread. 5. The house (lock) up before they set off. 6. Wherever I went I found evidence that the camp (leave) only a short time before we arrived. 7. Everybody was busy as a welcoming party (prepare) in honour of the distinguished visitors. 8. The place looked wonderful. Everything (prepare) for the ball. The front lawn (floor) and (tent); palms and azaleas (place) round it. 9. Evidently the tea (sweeten) before I put sugar into it.

Exercise 174. Put the verbs in the Active or in the Passive.

1. Each of the children (receive) a due share of Mrs. Gerhardt’s attention. The little baby closely (look) after by her. 2. From the clink of dishes one could tell the supper (prepare). 3. The front door of his house (unlock) as he (leave) it. 4. Mrs. Tripp (come) to inform her that dinner already (serve). 5. His phrase (greet) by a strange laugh from a student who (sit) near the wall. 6. A note (bring) in, addressed to Eleanor, and (put) on the table to await her. 7. When the door (close), old Julian (drop) his paper, and (stare) long and anxiously in front of him. 8. To his knowing eyes the scene below easily (explain). 9. The door (shut) behind him. 10. Finally, his name (call), and the boy (push) forward to her. 11. Finally he (persuade) by Bass to go away. 12. But when autumn (come) the cows (drive) home from the grass. 13. At lunch nothing (discuss) but the latest news. 14. “Will you work on this new job all your life?” The question (ask) with sincere interest. 15. She (tap) on the door. John (open) it. 16. Look! There’s nothing here. Everything (take) away.

Exercise 175. Complete the sentences below with a suitable preposition.

1. Why are film actors so much talked...? 2. Why are awkward people often laughed...? 3. Why is attention called...? 4. Why is Longman’s dictionary often referred...? 5. Why is school discipline insisted...? 6. Why are politicians’ words often commented...? 7. Why is public opinion appealed...? 8. Why are the slips of one’s tongue paid attention...? 9. Why is corruption never put an end...? 10. Why are untidily dressed people stared...? 11. Why are elderly people taken care...? 12. Why is human vice made fun...? 13. Why are people’s warnings sometimes taken no notice...? 14. Why are mainly experienced employees looked...? 15. Why isn’t injustice put up...? 16. Why is the predecessors’ experience made use...? 17. Why is adults’ advice not listened...?

Exercise 176. Change the active sentences below to sentences in the passive voice where possible.

1. He was earning a huge income. 2. He picked up and shook a cigarette packet someone had left on the counter. It proved empty. 3. With five minutes to go I was still several streets from the address I had memorized. 4. I followed her into the house and to her room. 5. Unlike her daughter, the Duchess had never been beautiful. Once it had mattered, but it did no longer. 6. She pinned on the tiny brooch her first husband had given her just before he’d died. 7. The lagoon had protected them from the Pacific. 8. Sir John had been shouting about it to her grandmother only the other day. 9. Sam gave him the car keys; he had managed to find a space for the Ford in one of the private parking lots. 10. The three boys fetched armfuls of rotten wood. 11. Spunky was clearly enjoying the show.

Exercise 177. Fill in the blanks with the correct past passive forms.

1. While he... his change, Dixon studied the barmaid, who was large and very dark with a narrow upper lip and rather close-set eyes (give). 2. The young man led him towards the elevator without saying a word; it took them to the seventh floor, where Mark... to a small room and... to wait (escort, ask). 3.But Mary Poppins’s eyes... upon him and Michael suddenly discovered that you could not look at Mary Poppins and disobey her (fix). 4. Late evening tea... when Bates ushered Annie into the hall (drink). 5.I... into the library and in less than a minute Julia joined me (show). 6. The coming war... about on all sides, though I for one didn’t understand all the chat about Hitler and his plans to conquer the world (talk). 7.It made sense to take the advice of a man who looked like a million dollars, so I did as I... (tell). 8. Supper..., and her grandmother was most likely in her bedchamber reading a book of sermons (eat). 9. It was from this very bottle that Welch had, the previous evening, poured Dixon the smallest drink he... ever... (offer). 10. After sentences..., the judge called into court the team of detectives who... on the case and publicly thanked them (pronounce, engage). 11. She telephoned while I... (shave). 12. In Europe my wife... sometimes... for an American because of her dapper and jaunty way of dressing, and the curiously hygienic quality of her prettiness (take). 13. He... from his wife for almost two years, but Dottie told me that they had been planning to try again (separate). 14. Dixon moved closer and saw that her hair... recently...; it lay in dry lusterless wisps on the back of her neck (wash). 15. By then Sam was swinging on his mother’s arm, Edward was shaking hands gravely with Amanda, and Superintendent Charles Luke... affectionately by the canon, with whom he was a favourite (welcome). 16. But the ivy was tenacious. It had been there first, being as old as the house, which... well over a hundred years ago in the time of Elizabeth I (build). 17. When arguments between them came to the point of fighting, they fought, but when they... they tore into the opposition like hellcats and didn’t stop until they had won (attack). 18. Our glasses... with port and the decanter... at once... from the room (fill, take).

Exercise 178. Fill in the blanks with the correct future passive forms.

1. It is an academic question which... probably never... (answer). 2. I see that, of course, Professor. I just want to ask when the decision..., that’s all (take). 3. If you’re sharp-witted enough, you... to the winners’ private party afterwards (invite). 4. The man hesitated. “... the door... and... (not to lock, not to bar)?” 5. “So you think the bill... (to pass)?” said Mark in a conversational tone. 6. The death of Frances subtracted something from Reggie which... never... as long as he lives (replace). 7.They will all get over it; it... all... by this evening (forget). 8. We want to be rescued; and of course we... (rescue). 9. Sydney had the grace to look embarrassed, “Doubtless you... (inform).” 10. I... back, to resume my peaceable existence, and to revert to what I was before I did that apparently dreadful thing (allow).

Exercise 179. Change these sentences into the negative and interrogative.

1. Advertising of tobacco and cigarettes on television will be soon forbidden. 2. The salary will be paid out at the end of the month. 3. The case will have been heard in court by the end of the year. 4. The text will have been edited by the next week. 5. All operations at the factory will be computerized soon. 6. A new stock of goods will be brought closer to the weekend. 7. The children will be well looked after in the kindergarten. 8. The construction of a new sports centre will have been completed by June.

Exercise 180. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct passive form.

1. Holland... is said … (say) to be one of the prettiest countries in Europe. 2. I hate … (tell) lies. 3. My television … (deliver) tomorrow. 4. Their telephone … (install) yesterday. 5. Teachers ought … (pay) a higher salary. 6. Hotel rooms must … (vacate) by 12 noon. 7. The villa … (sell) by public auction next week. 8. She hopes her home … (build) by May. 9. Heartbreak House … (write) by George Bernard Shaw. 10. My car … (repair) at the moment. 11. Hopefully, she … (promote) by the end of next month. 12. I wish I … (teach) how to type when I was at school. 13. Your application should … (hand in) last Monday. It’s too late now I’m afraid! 14. The wedding reception must … (book) a month before the wedding. 15. The building … (evacuate) ten minutes before the explosion took place.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-17