We use active voice when the subject performs the action. We use passive voice when the action is performed by the object.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate active or passive verb forms.
1Malini ............... a colorful hat for her daughter yesterday.
Wrong!
The subject Malini did the action, and "yesterday" is a finished past time, so the correct active form is "bought".
2The dog ............... up in the kennel by its master.
Wrong!
The dog received the action, so the correct passive form is "was locked".
3The winners ............... by the principal.
Wrong!
The winners received the praise, so the correct passive form is "were praised".
4Susie ............... a chocolate cake for her sister's birthday.
Wrong!
The subject Susie did the action, so the correct active form is "baked".
5Who ............... this book on Greek mythology?
Wrong!
The question asks who did the action, so the correct active form is "wrote".
6At yesterday's meeting, the salesman ............... all the questions patiently.
Wrong!
The salesman did the action, and "yesterday" is a finished past time, so the correct active form is "answered".
7Yesterday, the instructor ............... the players to be careful.
Wrong!
The instructor did the action, and "yesterday" is a finished past time, so the correct active form is "advised".
8She ............... in 2012.
Wrong!
The past time expression "in 2012" requires the simple past form "graduated".
9The police ............... the stolen goods.
Wrong!
The police did the action, so the correct active present perfect form is "have recovered".
10The patient ............... to the intensive care unit.
Wrong!
The patient received the action, so the correct passive form is "was shifted".
11The parents ............... the children abroad for higher education.
Wrong!
The parents did the action, so the correct active form is "sent".
12A doctor ............... to be compassionate.
Wrong!
The singular subject "A doctor" takes the simple present form "needs".
Answers
- Malini bought a colorful hat for her daughter yesterday.
- The dog was locked up in the kennel by its master.
- The winners were praised by the principal.
- Susie baked a chocolate cake for her sister’s birthday.
- Who wrote this book on Greek mythology?
- At yesterday’s meeting, the salesman answered all the questions patiently.
- Yesterday, the instructor advised the players to be careful.
- She graduated in 2012.
- The police have recovered the stolen goods.
- The patient was shifted to the intensive care unit.
- The parents sent the children abroad for higher education.
- A doctor needs to be compassionate.