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Year 10 English — The passive in every tense

Form the passive in any tense, and with a modal verb or an imperative.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Sort each sentence by its voice.

    Groups: Passive · Active

    • The gates are locked at nine.
    • The council is building a new library.
    • A new library is being built.
    • The prize was won by a girl from Pune.
    • A girl from Pune won the prize.
    • The guard locks the gates at nine.

  2. 2.Complete the passive with the three missing words: The road ____ at the moment. (verb: repair)

  3. 3.Complete the passive using "must", with three words: The report ____ before Friday. (verb: submit)

  4. 4.Sort each passive verb phrase by whether it carries a modal verb.

    Groups: Passive with a modal · Passive without a modal

    • was washed
    • has been signed
    • must be signed
    • should be washed
    • is repaired
    • can be repaired

  5. 5.Change to the passive: "Someone was following us."

    • a) We had been followed.
    • b) We were being followed.
    • c) We are being followed.
    • d) We were followed.

  6. 6.Change to the passive: "They have finished the work."

    • a) The work had been finished.
    • b) The work is finished by them.
    • c) The work has finished.
    • d) The work has been finished.

  7. 7.Why might a writer choose the passive in "The window was broken during the night"?

    • a) To move the sentence into the future.
    • b) To turn the sentence into a question.
    • c) Because who broke it is unknown or does not matter.
    • d) To say clearly who broke it.

  8. 8.Complete the passive with the two missing words: The letters ____ yesterday. (verb: send)

Answer key — Year 10 English — The passive in every tense

  1. 1. The gates are locked at nine. → Passive; The guard locks the gates at nine. → Active; A new library is being built. → Passive; The council is building a new library. → Active; The prize was won by a girl from Pune. → Passive; A girl from Pune won the prize. → Active
  2. 2. is being repaired
  3. 3. must be submitted
  4. 4. should be washed → Passive with a modal; was washed → Passive without a modal; must be signed → Passive with a modal; has been signed → Passive without a modal; can be repaired → Passive with a modal; is repaired → Passive without a modal
  5. 5. b) We were being followed.
  6. 6. d) The work has been finished.
  7. 7. c) Because who broke it is unknown or does not matter.
  8. 8. were sent