PASSIVE VOICE EXERCISES

Change the following active sentences into the passive using an infinitive
construction.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

People know that he is armed.

People believe that Germans drink a lot of beer.
They found that the money was correct.
They claim that this engine is more powerful than the previous one.
People think the government will fall.
We believe that he has a special knowledge which may be useful to the police.
People say that the Prime Minister and his wife are getting divorced.
People believed that fresh air was bad for sick people.
Police think the man holding the hostages is heavily armed.
Some people say that there are wolves in the mountains.

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

They reported that the home team had won.

People believe that he was killed by tribesmen.
We consider that she was the best singer in Australia.
They know that the expedition reached the South Pole in May.
They say he was in an agitated state.

16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.

We expect that the rate of inflation will rise.

They say he is somewhere in Germany.
People think that she died in a plane crash.
People believed that the earth was the centre of the universe.
They think that there is oil under Windsor Castle.
We know that you were in town on the night of the crime.
They say that the rocket travelled 10,000 km. and landed in the target area.
People say that he knows some very influential people.
People believe that this sword belonged to King Arthur.
The police report that two people were injured in the explosion.
Experts say that this house dates back to the 12th century.
Anthropologists think that balls are among the oldest toys.
Many American students think that America has too many immigrants.
People think that the individual creator is obsolete.
Many observers argue that supermodels are too rich.

25.

26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

Now turn the following passive sentences into the active voice.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

This speed limit has to be introduced gradually.

The runways are being lengthened at all the main airports.
The damaged ship was being towed into the harbour when the towline broke.
The ship was put into quarantine and passengers and crew were forbidden to land.
He was made to walk along a chalked line and repeat complicated tongue-twisters.
He should be told never to do that again.
Youll be sent all the details of the transaction.
Ive never been treated like this.
Evening dress will be worn.
This copy hasn't been read.

 Change the following questions into the passive voice.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Did the police give you ,5 reward?

Has someone mended that chair yet?
Didnt they tell you to be here by six oclock?
Have you sharpened the knives?
Did anybody ever teach you how to behave?
Will the new company take the business over?
Can you eat a banana if nobody has peeled it before?
Must I iron this dress for tonight?
Did you leave the lights on all night?
Will they allow her to leave the hospital tomorrow?

ANSWERS
Change the following active sentences into the passive using an infinitive
construction.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

He is known to be armed.
Germans are believed to drink a lot of beer.
The money was found to be correct.
This engine is claimed to be more powerful than the previous one.
The government is thought to fall.
He is believed to have a special knowledge which may be useful to the police.
Prime Minister and his wife are said to be getting divorced.
Fresh air was believed to be bad for sick people.
The man holding the hostages is thought to be heavily armed.
It is believed that there are wolves in the mountains.

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

The home team was reported to have won.

He is believed to have been killed by tribesmen.
She is considered to have been the best singer in Australia.
The expedition is known to have reached the South Pole in May.
He is said to have been in an agitated state.

16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

The rate of inflation is expected to rise.

He is said to be somewhere
She is thought to have died in
The earth was believed to be
There is thought to be oil under
You are known to have been in
The rocket is said to have travelled and to have landed
He is said to know some
This sword is believed to have belonged to
Two people are reported to have been injured in
This house is said to date back to the 12th century.
Balls are thought to be among the oldest toys.
America is thought to have too many immigrants by many American students.
The individual creator is thought to be obsolete.
Supermodels are argued to be too rich.

 Now turn the following passive sentences into the active voice.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

The police has /The authorities have to introduce this speed limit gradually
They are lengthening the runways at all the main airports.
They were towing the damaged ship into the harbour when the towline broke.
The authorities put the ship into quarantine and forbade passengers and crew to land.
They made him walk along a chalked line and repeat complicated tongue-twisters.
Somebody should tell him never to do that again.
The secretary will send you all the details of the transaction.
No one has ever treated me like this.
Guests will wear evening dress.
Nobody has read this copy.

Change the following questions into the passive voice.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Were you given 5 reward?

Has that chair been mended yet?
Werent you told to be here by six oclock?
Have the knives been sharpened?
Were you taught how to behave?
Will the business be taken over by the new company?
Can a banana be eaten if it hasnt been peeled before?
Must this dress be ironed for tonight?
Were the lights left on all night?
Will she be allowed to leave the hospital tomorrow?