Passive verb forms are used to say what happens to people and things. Note all verbs can have passive forms. Passive structures are impossible with intransitive verbs because they do not have objects. Some transitive verbs are also not used in the passive.
This grammar exercise tests your understanding of passive structures.
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate passive form.
1. She likes ....................................
Being looked is an example of a passive ing form.
2. The table ....................... up for firewood.
Was broken is the passive form of broke.
3. The roof ......................... by the masons.
Is being repaired is the passive form of are repairing.
4. This bag .......................... of leather.
Is made is the passive form of make.
5. The walls ......................................
The walls cannot paint themselves. We need a passive construction here. Are still being painted is the passive form of are still painting.
6. Their house ................................
Has been sold is the passive form of has sold.
7. The contractor said that the project .............................. by Monday.
Would be finished is the passive form of would finish.
8. These tablets ......................... with food.
Must be taken is the passive form of must take.
9. The parcel ............................... by courier yesterday.
We need a past tense here because the reference is to the past. Was sent is the passive form of sent.
10. Your life ................................ by this book.
Will be changed is the passive form of will change.
11. This ............................ last week.
12. I ............................. by his attitude.
Was shocked is the passive form of shocked.
Answers
1. She likes being looked at.
2. The table was broken up for firewood.
3. The roof was being repaired by the masons.
4. This bag is made of leather.
5. The walls are still being painted.
6. Their house has been sold.
7. The contractor said that the project would be finished by Monday.
8. These tablets must be taken with food.
9. The parcel was sent by courier yesterday.
10. Your life will be changed by this book.
11. This should have been done last week.
12. I was shocked by his attitude.
