ENG_B1.1.

0201G

Active and Passive

Verbs
Grammar Basics
Grammar & Structure
Level B1

www.lingoda.com
www.lingoda.com
ENG_B1.1.0201G 1
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Active and Passive Verbs Outline

Content
In this lesson you will learn about active and passive verbs.

Learning Outcomes
• Learn the uses and forms of the active and passive voice.
• Learn to create sentences using both styles.
• Learn to convert active to passive and vice versa.

www.lingoda.com 2
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Grammar

Please note
When using the active voice, the subjects are
the ones performing the action. They are the
most important part of the sentence.

Examples
She loves all her children.
Cats eat fish and birds.
Salmon swim upstream.

www.lingoda.com 3
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Grammar

Please note
When using the passive voice, the verb takes
an object. The actual subject isn’t very
important unless it’s mentioned.

Examples
The cake was made by my mom.
Boats are built by the company.
Fish are eaten by whales.

www.lingoda.com 4
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Grammar

Please note
If the subject is more important, the active
voice is used. If the object is more important,
the passive voice is used.
Examples
Brazil was discovered by the
Portuguese.
In this sentence, Brazil (the object) is more
important than the Portuguese (subject)

The Portuguese discovered

Brazil.
In this sentence, The Portuguese (the
subject) are more important than Brazil
(object)
www.lingoda.com 5
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Grammar

Please note
The passive voice is used to stress the action
that is done rather than the person doing the
action. It is also used if the person doing the
action is unknown.

Examples
The package was delivered by my mom.
The food was eaten by all the guests.
The cats were fed by the children.

www.lingoda.com 6
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Grammar

Please note
Active sentences look like this:
(Subject) + (Verb) + (Object)
So passive sentences are made by moving the object
to the front and changing the form of the verb.
(Object) + (Be) + (Past Part.) + (By) + (Subject)

Example:

Chris teaches many students. = Active

Many students are taught (by Chris). = Passive
By is optional depending on if you want
to mention the subject.
www.lingoda.com 7
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing
Convert these sentences into the passive
tense.

1) My sister found my keys.

2) The kids made me a picture.

3) I broke the window.

4) The chef cooks all the food.

www.lingoda.com 8
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Grammar

Please note

Passive Tense Structure

(Object) + (Be) + (Past Part.) + (By) + (Subject)

Example:

The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell. = Passive

Alexander Graham bell invented the telephone. = Active

www.lingoda.com 9
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Grammar

Please note

Sentences with Two Objects:

Sometimes a sentence may have two objects,
which means you could have two different
passive voice sentences.
Example:

She gives me bread

everyday. = Active
Bread is given to me by
her every day. = Passive
I am given bread by her
everyday. = Passive

www.lingoda.com 10
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing
Convert these passive sentences into the
active tense.

1) The cheesecake was baked by the chef.

2) These sandals were brought to me by my friend.

3) The kitchen was cleaned by Kim, the cleaning lady.

4) The record was broken by Jeezy.

www.lingoda.com 11
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing

Write three sentences in the active tense.

Ex) I ate a sandwich today.

1) ______________________
2) ______________________
3) _______________________

www.lingoda.com 12
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing

Write three sentences in the passive tense.

Ex) All the food was eaten by the guests.

1) ______________________
2) ______________________
3) _______________________

www.lingoda.com 13
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Grammar

Please note
To use the Active or Passive?
Not all sentences can be written in the passive
tense. When in doubt, it’s best to use the
active tense.
Examples of sentences that can’t be converted
to the passive:
The cat sat on the window.

The kids sleep all day.

She laughs so loudly!

My new pants are beautiful.

www.lingoda.com 14
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing
Complete the sentences with the correct
verb tense.

1) I __________ (give) $700 by the government every

month.
2) The food _________ (freeze) and then _______
(sold).
3) My brother __________ (teach) English by his tutor.
4) This country __________ (discover) over 1000 years
ago.

www.lingoda.com 15
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing
Complete the sentences with the correct
verb tense.

5) These bananas __________ (grow) in Costa Rica.

6) The children _________ (given) too much homework.
7) Many languages __________ (speak) in London.

www.lingoda.com 16
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing
Look at the image. Write these sentences
using the active voice.

1) _______________________
2) _______________________
3) _______________________

www.lingoda.com 17
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing
Determine whether these active sentences
can be written in the passive tense.

1) I gave her my phone number.

2) The man sat there for hours.
3) She brought coffee.
4) He spoke for hours.
5) The kids liked the book.

www.lingoda.com 18
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing

Identify and correct the mistakes

1) I made this sculpture by me.

2) She is gaved $20 by her parents weekly.

3) My cat will clean tomorrow by the pet shop

owner.

4) Many employees fired by the boss before.

www.lingoda.com 19
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing

Identify and correct the mistakes

1) These grapes grown in California.

2) Money isn’t grow on trees.

3) This class is teached by Mrs. Jackson.

4) My food was eated by Grandpa.

www.lingoda.com 20
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Exercises

Writing

Complete the sentences about yourself

1) ______________ was given to me by ______.

2) I was taught ___________ by ____________.

3) My favorite movie was written by _________.

4) My favorite food is made with ____________.

www.lingoda.com 21
 ENG_B1.1.0201G
Thank you

We would like to thank

the following sources for their content
Images
Shutterstock–ID 125647511
Shutterstock–ID 148260731
Shutterstock–ID 155225018
Shutterstock–ID 118750324
Shutterstock–ID 136018673
Shutterstock–ID 144572105

www.lingoda.com 22
 ENG_B1.1.0201G

Thank you
for choosing to learn
with

www.lingoda.com 23