147. ACTIVE vs PASSIVE

Use the correct voice (active or passive) and the correct tense of verb in each sentence.

1.      Everyone (shock) by the terrible news yesterday.

 Active     : The terrible news was shocked everyone yesterday.

2.      Almost everyone (enjoy) the lecture last night.

Passive     : The lecture was enjoyed by almost everyone last night.

3.      English (teach) in the schools of almost every nation.

Active      : English taught in the schools of almost every nation.

4.      That proposal (consider) by the members right now.

Passive     : That proposal is considering by the members right now.

5.      The accident (happen) right here at 6:30 last night.

Active      : The accident happened right here at 6:30 last night.

6.      Smith (teach) at the University of Washington since 1948.

Active      : Smith has taught at the University of Washington since 1948.

7.      Mr. Harris (divide) the class into two sections tomorrow.

Passive     : The class will be divided into two sections by Mr. Harris tomorrow.

8.      Wilson (borrow) the money from Brown two weeks ago.

Active      : Wilson borrowed the money from Brown two weeks ago.

9.      Not much (say) about the matter since that time.

Active      : Not much said about the matter since that time.

10. My friend (write) to me about it several times now.

Active      : My friend is writing to me about it several times now.

11. Davis (promote) to the rank of sergeant last week.

Active      : Davis was promoted to the rank of sergeant last week.

12. That event (occur) shortly after the meeting last week.

Active      : That event occurred shortly after the meeting last week.

13. All the students (bring) guests to the party tomorrow night.

Passive     : Guests will be brought by all the students to the party tomorrow night.

14. Less than half of the cans of paint (use) up to now.

Passive     : The cans of paint is being used less than half up to now.

15. More classes in English (list) in the catalog next fall.

Passive     : The catalog will be listed more classes in English next fall.

16. Everything (go) well so far. There (be) no trouble yet.

Active      : Everything is going well so far. There is no trouble yet.

17. That movie about Napoleon’s life (disappoint) me greatly.

Active      : That movie about Napoleon’s life disappointed me greatly.

18. The mail (deliver, always) to this office before 10 a.m.

Active      : The mail is always deliver to this office before 10 a.m.

19. Who (furnish) the food for the picnic next weekend?

Active      : Who will furnish the food for the picnic next weekend?

20. At this time, much attention (devote) to that problem.

Active      : At this time, much attention is devoting to that problem.

21. Think carefully. I’m sure you (remember) his name.

Active      : Think carefully. I’m sure you remember his name.

22. We (treat) very kindly by our hosts last Saturday.

Active      : Our hosts were treated us very kindly last Saturday.

23. Mr. Wilson (make) something interesting statements yesterday.

Passive     : Something interesting statements were made by Mr. Wilson yesterday.

24. A new textbook (publish) by that company next year.

Active      : That company will publish a new textbook next year.

25. The noise from the trains (annoy) me terribly last night.

Active      : The noise from the trains annoyed me terribly last night.

26. That old red house (build) in the year 1822.

Active      : That old red house was built in the year 1822.

27. The report (examine, not) by a committee of experts yet.

Active      : A committee of expert has not examine the report yet.

28. Cocktails (serve) to the guests about 10 minutes from now.

Passive     : Cocktails will be served to the guests about 10 minutes from now.

29. His sharp remarks (embarrass) everyone last night.

Active      : His sharp remarks embarrassed everyone last night.

30.  Fred (introduce) to the fellow by Mr. Brown yesterday.

Active      : Mr. Brown introduced Fred to the fellow yesterday.

31. Listen to this! I think this news (surprise) you!

Active      : Listen to this! I think this news will surprise you!

32. The Ajax Shoe Company (employ) 25 new men next month.

Active      : The Ajax Shoe Company will employ 25 new men next month.

33. Only 25 new students (admit) into the department in 1955.

Active      : Only 25 new students were admitted into the department in 1955.

34. A second coat of paint (spread) over that surface tomorrow.

Active      : A second coat of paint will spread over that surface tomorrow.