Passive Forms

Grammar practice
Ex. 1 Choose the correct grammar form to translate a predicate.
1. Этот дом был построен в прошлом году.
a) was being built b) has been built c) was built
2. Сейчас здесь строится новый супермаркет.
a) is being built b) is building c) is built
3. На этой неделе преподаватель объяснил новый материал.
a) had been explained b) was explained c) has been explained
4. Новое здание института уже построили, когда я поступила на
юридический факультет.
a) was built b) has been built c) had been built
5. Студентов экзаменуют два раза в год.
a) are being examined b) is examined c) are examined
6. «Вы были невнимательны, когда объяснялось это правило», —
сказал преподаватель.
a) was explained b) had been explained c) was being explained
7. Цветы уже политы.
a) are watered b) have been watered c) were watered
8. Такие столы делают из дорогого дерева.
a) are being made b) have been made c) are made
9. Этот фильм никогда не показывали по телевизору,
a) has never been shown b) was never shown c) had never been shown
10. Мою квартиру отремонтируют к субботе,
a) will be repaired b) will have been repaired c) is being repaired
11. Списки все еще печатаются.
a) are typed b) are being typed c) have been typed
12. Их еще не пригласили,
a) were not invited b) had not been invited c) have not been invited
13. Вам сообщат об этом завтра.
a) will be informed b) will have been informed c) are informed
14. Когда я вошел, обсуждение было прервано.
a) had been interrupted b) was interrupted c) has been interrupted
15. Земля была покрыта снегом.
a) was being covered b) was covered c) had been covered
Ex. 2 Open the brackets and use the verb in the appropriate tense
form of the Passive Voice.
1. The first draft resolution (not discuss) yesterday; it (withdraw) long before the beginning of the meeting. 2. He is not in town; he (send) on a special mission. 3. Don't come into the compartment; the berth (fix) now.
4. A new underground line (construct) now. They say one of its stations (build) in my street. 5. He wants to know when the final decision (take). The activities of the committee and their delays already much (speak)
about. 6. It was three o'clock. We (tell) to hurry up because we (wait). 7. Do you believe that such a problem can (solve)? 8. It must (do) without delays. 9. On September 9, 1850, California (admit) to the Union as the thirty-first state. 10. Don't speak in a loud voice: we (listen). 11. The plan (approve)? — No, it (discuss) now. — How long it (discuss)? 12. By the time he arrives everything (settle). 13. Not all the necessary things (buy) for our trip that's why the departure (postpone). 14. The money (lend) to him two months ago, but it (not give) back yet. 15. The business day was in high gear: the mail (look) through, documents (type), letters (answer), talks (hold). 16. Wait a minute. The table (lay). 17. Dynamite (invent) by Alfred Bernhard Nobel. 18. This exercise may (write) with a pencil. 19. This work (do) before you went to Moscow? 20. If you (ask) about it, will you be able to answer?
Ex. 3 Supply the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1. There isn't any food left. All of it (eat)! 2. I couldn't wear my suit last Sunday. It (clean). 3. Wine (produce) in many part of France. 4. I can't find my car anywhere. I think it (steal). 5. How many languages (speak) in
Switzerland? 6. The Tower of London (build) at the beginning of the eleventh century. 7. We couldn't use the photocopier yesterday morning. It (repair). 8. A compass (use) for showing direction. 9. Millions of cars (export) from Japan every month. 10. Last week I (offer) a job at a local bank, but I didn't accept. 11. The World Cup soccer games (televise) all over the world. 12. Language skills (teach) in every school in the country. 13. The accident (see) by several people. 14. The documents (type) by the time you return. 15. A test (give) in the next room right now. 16. The news (announce) tomorrow. 17. That play (write) by Shakespeare. 18. A new idea (suggest) by Shirly. 19. The librarian said that the book (return) to the library some days ago. 20. By this time tomorrow, the announcement (make). 21. I was very excited, I (interview) by the assistant manager. 22. America (discover) by Christopher Columbus.
Ex. 4 Put the verbs in the correct form.
1. I've collected all the documents that (need) for the house sale. Can you take them to the lawyer's office to (sign)? 2. Look, this is a secret. Come into the garden where we (not / overhear). 3. If you are so late for
work, you (sack). 4. This office is very inefficient. The telephone (never / answer) promptly, no proper records (keep), and, worst of all, no reports (write) for weeks. 5. I was so worried about my garden while I was in hospital, but I have very good neighbours. When I got home I could see that the vegetables (water) every day and the grass (cut) regularly. 6. Can you come to the police station? The man who (suspect) of stealing your wallet (arrest), and (question) at the moment. The police hope he (identify), either by you or another witness. 7. We had hoped to see several famous paintings, but the gallery (reorganized) at the time of our visit and most of the really valuable works (move) for safe keeping. 8. I found the idea of going to Hereford very upsetting because I (to promise) a very nice job a couple of weeks before. 9. Not far away she noticed the film manager in whose office she once (to make) to feel so ridiculous. 10. "You must be very prosperous, Eustace, to own a car like that." "This car (to lend) to me by an American woman." 11. After lunch, we heard that Charles (to send) for. 12. She (to operate) on at seven o'clock next morning. 13. Their engagement (to announce) and a number of parties (to give) for the young couple. 14. I said: "Our dog (to run) over, but we're going to have another." 15.
The days that followed afterward (to look) back on by Philip as a kind of nightmare. 16. The scene (to put) an end to abruptly by the arrival of their father. 17. I discovered that a similar message (to send) to my office. 18.
After the two women (to show) over the house they (to take) for a walk round the garden. 19. Our garden was all weeds, but the one next door (to look) after to perfection. 20. You have hardly any right to talk to me about
the children. They (to see) to all right, and it will be me that sees to them, not you. 21. Somewhere from far away in the town came the sound of shots! "Somebody (to kill)" I said. 22. Joe (to try) and (to sentence) to five
years in New Caledonia! 23. He watched Jack while the film (to run). 24. The boy who put a frog in the teacher's desk (to ask) to return the frog to the pool. 25. Our ability to use English subtly or precisely continually (to interfere) with by our need to use language simply and imprecisely for everyday purposes.
Ex. 5 Use the required passive forms in the following texts.
a) It was now a charming room. The walls (to paint) light blue. The curtains (to draw) and the fire (to light). All the furniture (to dust). The piano (to move) out but a wireless set (to add). On the chest of drawers there was
a collection of small presents which (to bring) to the old woman at various times by her children.
b) No one there could understand a word he said, but an interpreter (to send) for, his papers (to examine) and he (to tell) that he (to fly) back by the first plane.
c) The reception was all that (to expect). When we arrived we (to show) into some kind of hall where we (to detain) with the rest of the actors. Apparently we (not to allow) yet to mingle with the other crowd. As the
guests assembled in the room, it was plain to me that they (to choose) carefully. Looking around, I recognized Anthony Blanche. He (to point) out to me often in the streets. I (to interrupt) in my observation by a woman reporter whom the manager had led up to me. I (to warn) against the dangers of being interviewed by strangers. As we (to introduce) I made up my mind to avoid it at any cost.
d) The Connolly children (to find) lurking under the seats of a carriage when the train (to empty). They (to drag) out and (to stand) on the plat form. Since they could not (to leave) there, they (to include) in the party
that (to send) by bus to the village. From that moment their destiny forever (to involve) with that of the village. Nothing ever (to discover) about the children's parents.
Ex. 6 Use the required active or passive forms in the following texts.
I. Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since this book first (to publish). During this period several hundred thousand copies of the book (to dispose) of, and it (to sell) practically in every country in the world where
English (to teach) as a second language. Nevertheless, the twenty-fifth anniversary is so important an occasion that it (to commemorate) with the publication of the new edition, which thoroughly (revise) and considerably
(to enlarge). Additional sections (to include). Another innovation is that a list of irregular verbs in everyday use (to introduce). These verbs intentionally (to place) as endpapers for easy reference. Besides, the opportunity (to
take) of revising the book from cover to cover, bringing it up to date and introducing many little improvements here and there. Much care (to give) to the preparation of the Index, which it (to hope) will make the book a
useful work of reference. The writer is of the opinion that the best results (to achieve) if it (to use) by the students both as a text book and as a book of reference.
II. At the last glow of sunset, they (to board) the airplane in inverse order of seniority beginning with the sergeant and ending with General Spitz. The plane they (to provide) with was luxurious for the wartime. It
(to fit) with seats. Little lights (to glow) along the roof. Soon the doors (to shut). The lights (to go) out. It (to be) now completely dark. What once (to be) windows (to paint) out. The roar of the engine (to impose) silence on
the party. Dan, who (to put) himself next to the cockpit, (to long) for a forbidden cigarette and (to try) to compose himself for sleep, though it (to be) far from his normal bedtime. He (to wear) the same shirt all day without a chance of changing. In the hot afternoon it (to be) damp with sweat. Now in the chill upper air it (to cling) to him and (to set) him shivering. It (not to occur) to him to bring his greatcoat. It (to be) an unsatisfactory day. He (to wander) about the streets of the old town with the Lieutenant. They (to lunch) at the club and (to order) to report at the airfield two hours before they (to need). He (not to dine) and (to see) no hope of doing so. He (to sit) in black boredom and discomfort until, after an hour, sleep (to come).
Ex. 7 Change the sentences from active to passive.
1. Someone is making a dress for the bride. The bride …..
2. Someone has already made a cake for the bride and groom. They ….
3. Someone printed beautiful invitations for them. They…..
4. Someone is going to deliver the flowers to the church for them They
5. Someone must book plane tickets for their honeymoon before Saturday. They ……
6. Someone will clean the groom's suit before Saturday. The
groom…….
7. Someone has already booked a room for the reception at a hotel for
them. They …….
8. Someone is going to cook all the food for the reception for them.
They… .
Ex. 8 Express in the passive the idea of the second sentence, mind the use of prepositions.
Model: He seldom keeps a promise. No one can rely on him.
He can't be relied on.
1. The child is very ill. Someone must send for the doctor. 2. This old car is in excellent condition. The owner has looked after it well. 3. The Prime Minister spoke very long. The people listened to him in complete silence. 4. She is going into hospital tomorrow. The doctors and nurses will take good care of her. 5. That little boy is very thin and always dirty. No one brings him up properly. 6. The new servant girl is always breaking
things in the kitchen. Someone should speak to her about her carelessness. 7. Shakespeare was born about 400 years ago. People look upon him as the greatest of English poets. 8. The thieves broke into the bank at midnight
and stole $20.000. No one call for the police until 8 o'clock the next morning.
Ex. 9 Supply appropriate prepositions.
1. Though the question had been discussed for a long time no decision was arrived ... . 2. The visit of this delegation is widely commented ... in the newspapers. 3. He left for Australia five years ago and he hasn't been
heard ... since. 4. I'm sure your idea of spending the week-end in town will be strongly objected ... . 5. unfortunately our work was constantly interfered ... . 6. His presence at the meeting will be insisted .... 7. Don't say foolish things. You'll be laughed .... 8. Mr Brown is such an experienced lecturer. I'm sure he will be listened ... with great attention when he gives his lecture on Modern art. 9.I felt I was being looked ... and turned around.
10. The children should be looked ... better. They look so grubby. 11. The key has been looked ... since morning but it's nowhere to be found. 12. A shop was broken ... last night. A man was seen leaving it. 13. He was
knocked ... by a bus and taken to hospital. 14. The roof was blown ... by a gust of wind. 15. The matter will be dealt... as soon as possible. 16. The old rules have been done away ... . 17. Mr Sakson has been sent ... and he will soon come. 18. The child likes to be read ... . 19. This newspaper article is often referred ... . 20. He can never be relied .... Whenever he makes a promise he always breaks it. 21. There was a road accident last night. An elderly man was run ... by a car and was badly injured. 22. Where have you been all this time? You have been asked ... more than once. 23. When they realized that the child was running a high temperature the doctor was sent ... immediately. 24. Little Jane was very much upset because she had never been spoken badly ... in the presence of strangers before. 25. He was surprised to find a letter in the letterbox. He had never been written ... and that letter came so unexpectedly. 26. Nobody likes to be shouted ....
Ex. 10 Change the sentences from active to passive if possible.
1. Doctors use this medicine widely. 2. They deliver milk before 8 a.m.  3. When I came to the service station, they were still repairing my car. 4. Jack walked to school yesterday. 5. Don't worry; our people will meet the
group at the airport. 6. This man is installing a new Xerox in the office. 7. We stayed in a three-star hotel. 8. The police arrested the wrong man mainly because they confused the names which the witness had given them. 9. They threw him into prison and deprived him of his property. 10. The leaves fell to the ground. 11. Have you received the message yet? 12. People are destroying large areas of forest every day. 13. Mary's cat ran away
last week. 14. I hope they will have completed the repairs by tomorrow. 15. Some people were using the tennis court, so we couldn't play. 16. No one has solved that problem yet. 17. Has anybody invited you to the party?
18. I agree with you, gentlemen. 19. This news surprised me. 20. Mr. Lee will teach this class.
Ex. 11 Change sentences in the way shown.
Example: He did not paint the walls. – He had (got) them painted.
1. He did not fix the fridge. 2. I did not wash the floor. 3. She did not type the article, 4. He did not translate the letter. 5. They haven’t repaired the house. 6. I did not wash the car. 7. She will not make the dress. 8. He
did not cook supper. 9. He hadn’t ironed the shirt before the show. 10. They are not building the fence, it will be a barn.
Ex. 12 Use a passive infinitive to say what must (can, may, should, has to...) be done. Follow the model.
Model. We have to clean the pools every two days. The pools have to be cleaned every two days.
1. We have to feed pups four times a day. 2. We may keep an injured seal here for several months. 3. People must keep dogs on lead in the park. 4. You can obtain further information about the post by telephoning
2637645. 5. People should send their complaints to the head office. 6. They had to postpone the meeting because of illness. 7. We can change the speech if you don't like it. 8. I have to return these books to the library. 9. Our neighbour ought to paint the garage. 10. You must mend the light. 11. Applicants should send in application forms for the post to the personnel officer by 15th August. 12. We couldn't use the telephone.
Ex. 13 Change the sentences from active to passive. Give two forms if possible.
1. They offered me the vacancy. 2. The boss has given us all the instructions. 3. We showed the girls our buys. 4. Father promised Ted a new skateboard. 5. Somebody told him the truth. 6. The manager sent them the
fax last night. 7. Ben offered the fellow a beer. 8. The expert recommended the client several solutions to the problem. 9. Grandmother gave me a wonderful cookery book. 10. Our partners promised us support and understanding. 11. The policemen showed us the way to the Tower. 12. They paid him a pretty sum of money. 13. They filled the glasses and made another toast. 14. They took these examples from literature.
Ex. 14 Decide whether the sentences in each pair have the same meaning.
1. I’ve just cut my hair at the hairdresser’s. What do you think? I’ve just been to the hairdresser’s. What do you think 2. Someone is painting our house at the moment. We are painting our house at the moment.
3. The dentist is going to take out two of my teeth tomorrow. I’m having two teeth taken out tomorrow.
4. The teacher made us all tidy up. We were made to tidy up by the teacher.
5. The car is thought to have been stolen by joy-riders. We had our car stolen by joy-riders.
6. The car is thought to have been stolen by joy-riders. Joy-riders are thought to have stolen the car.
7. Just a minute, I’ll ask someone to wrap it for you. Just a minute, I’ll have to wrap this up for you.
8. The car hasn’t been services for along time. We haven’t had the car serviced for a long time.
9. They are coming to put in a new water-heater next week. We are putting in a new water-heater next week.
10. Would you consider having plastic surgery to alter your nose? Would you consider having your nose altered by plastic surgery?
11. A qualified electrician checked the wiring. We had checked the wiring with a qualified electrician.
Ex. 15 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
1. People are using their cars more and more every day. (used)
Cars...................................................................more and more every day.
2. The electrician who lives nearby has repaired our heater. (had)
We ……………………………… by the electrician who lives nearby.
3. Smoking can seriously damage your health. (be)
Your health .......................................................................... smoking.
4. I really must call the hairdresser for a haircut soon! (my)
I really must.............................................................................soon!
5. Somebody broke into my house last night and stole my television.
(had)
I ………………………………. last night and my television stolen.
6. Why didn't anybody tell me about this? (was)
Why .................................................................................. about this?
6. They're not going to open the new bridge until next month. (be)
The new bridge is....................................................... until next month.
7. I wonder how much it will cost for somebody to repair my stereo.
(have)
I wonder how much it will cost.......................................................
8. When people tell me what to do, I hate it! (told)
I hate.................................................................................what to do!
9. People are buying more mobile phones than ever before. (bought)
More mobile phones ...................................................than ever before.
Ex. 16 Find and correct the mistakes if any.
1. Don't bring the article today. It will be being typed only tomorrow. 2. The South Pole was discovered by Amundsen in 1912. 3. The book which was written last month is discussing a lot. It has been written a lot of
articles about. 4. When I came, an experiment was been holding in the lab. 5. Do you know that this house was belonged to Mr. Brown? 6. What new buildings have been built in your town since I was there? 7. The building
was collapsed during the earthquake. 8. Have you seen him? Has he been changed much? 9. Do you know that you are following? 10. I hope this journal can find at the library.
Ex. 17 Translate into English.
I. 1. Детективные романы хорошо продаются. 2. Эта ткань хорошо стирается. 3. Дмитрий перевелся в другой университет. 4. Сухие листья хорошо горят. 5. Шум стих (to calm down). 6. Эта книга легко читается. 7. Это вещество хорошо горит. 8. Кафель легко моется. 9. Этот свитер не садится и не линяет. 10. Эти брюки совершенно не мнутся. 11. Тесто хорошо поднимается. 12. Пирог еще печется. 13. Этот диск хорошо расходится. 14. Это лекарство хорошо продается. 15. Золото легко плавится. 16. Этот металл деформируется под давлением. II. 1. Нужно ли этот текст переводить на английский язык?
2.Больному человеку нужно помочь. 3. Эти книги не следует рекомендовать для обсуждения. 4. Ваше мнение нужно услышать всем. 5. Этот эксперимент можно не повторять. 6. Благодарность можно выразить публично. 7. Это стихотворение нужно выучить наизусть. 8. Эти английские книги должны быть прочитаны в оригинале.
III. 1. Каждая женщина знает, что если у нее плохое настроение, то она должна купить что-то новое или же сделать прическу. 2. Мне подарили новые серьги. Нужно проколоть уши. 3. Мне опять разбили
окно в машине. Нужно срочно установить сигнализацию. 4. Три месяца назад мы подали заявку на установку нового телефона. Мы все еще ждем. 5. Нужно пройти техосмотр.
IV. 1. К сожалению, на конференции такие вопросы не затрагивались (touch upon). 2. Кто вам сказал, что соглашение (agreement) подписано? 3. Здесь говорят только на английском. 4. Ей разрешили заниматься спортом. 5. Посетителей принимают каждый день. 6. Бетти не разрешают приходить сюда. 7. В больнице за ним ухаживали плохо. 8. За ним уже послали? – Да, ему позвонили и велели придти в восемь. 9. На нашей улице строят новый кинотеатр. 10. Не говори это, а то (otherwise) над тобой будут смеяться. 11. Мне еще ничего об этом не говорили. 12. Мы поедем завтра за город, если будет дождь? – Да, мы должны туда поехать, нас там будут ждать. 13. Это здание было только что построено, когда мы приехали сюда. 14. К вечеру работа была закончена. 15. Когда мы вернулись, нам рассказали много интересных новостей. 16. Учти, в расписание внесли некоторые изменения. 17. Словарями нельзя пользоваться на экзаменах. 18. Его постоянно критикуют за плохие манеры. 19. – Машина сияет. – Да, ее только что помыли. 20. Дайте нам знать, если хотите, чтобы вас встретили в аэропорту. 21. Синтетические ткани хорошо стираются. 22. Вещи, сделанные из льна, сильно мнутся. 23. Его необходимо остановить, пока не слишком поздно. 24. Ее укусило странное насекомое. 25. Детей следует уважать так же, как и взрослых. 26. Лабораторией нельзя было пользоваться вчера, в ней устанавливали новое оборудование. 27. Все работы будут закончены к концу недели. 28. – Ты почему не в
новых туфлях? – Они в ремонте. 29. Инспектор заверил нас, что все необходимые меры уже были приняты. 30. Как только данные будут получены, вас проинформируют об этом. 31. Эйфелева башня была спроектирована Александром Эйфелем. Ее воздвигли в 1889 году. Башню можно видеть из любой части города.