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.
1. Malini ............................. a colorful hat for her daughter.
We need an active verb here because the subject is the doer of the action.
2. The dog ............................... up in the kennel by its master.
The dog does not perform the action here. It is the recipient and hence we need a passive verb form here.
3. The winners ............................ by the principal.
We use passive forms when the object is the doer of the action.
4. Susie ............................ a chocolate cake for her sister's birthday.
We need an active verb form here because the subject is the doer of the action.
5. Who ......................... this book on Greek mythology?
6. The salesman .......................... all the questions patiently.
The active verb in the simple past tense is the second form of the verb.
7. The instructor ........................... the players to be careful.
We use active verb forms to say who performed the action.
8. She ............................. in 2012.
The present perfect tense is not used with past time adverbs.
9. The police .................................. the stolen goods.
We use an active verb here because the subject is the doer of the action. The present perfect is used to talk about finished actions when there is no time reference.
10. The patient .............................. to the intensive care unit.
We need a passive verb here because the action is not performed by the patient.
11. The parents ............................. the children abroad for higher education.
The parents perform the action here and hence we use the active verb.
12. A doctor ........................... to be compassionate.
We use the simple present tense to talk about a general truth.
Answers
1. Malini bought a colorful hat for her daughter.
2. The dog was locked up in the kennel by its master.
3. The winners were praised by the principal.
4. Susie baked a chocolate cake for her sister’s birthday.
5. Who wrote this book on Greek mythology?
6. The salesman answered all the questions patiently.
7. The instructor advised the players to be careful.
8. She graduated in 2012.
9. The police have recovered the stolen goods.
10. The patient was shifted to the intensive care unit.
11. The parents sent the children abroad for higher education.
12. A doctor needs to be compassionate.
