Passive Voice
Writers tend to avoid using the passive voice because it often creates awkward or wordy sentences.
1. The computer lab was used by the Psychology class.
A) active
B) passive
2. The car was driven by his friend.
A) active
B) passive
3. Fifty people attended the party.
A) active
B) passive
4.The plants were watered by the housekeeper.
A) active
B) passive
5. Ralph Lauren provided the anchor's wardrobe.
A) active
B) passive
6. The article was published on May 15, 2000.
A) active
B) passive
7. The album was released two weeks ago.
A) active
B) passive
8. The accountants shredded the papers.
A) active
B) passive
9. The new policy was criticized by some senators.
A) active
B) passive
10. The organization was founded in 1987.
A) active
B) passive
Which revision of the sentence below uses only the active voice?
That the answer had been found was something Hana knew suddenly.
A) Suddenly, the answer had been found, Hana knew.
B) Suddenly, Hana knew that they had found the answer.
C) The answer was something Hana suddenly knew had been found.
D) Hana suddenly knew that something, the answer, had been found.
Which is the best way to rewrite the underlined part of the sentence using the active voice?
To satisfy the demands of this new generation of listeners, radio technology was improved by radio manufacturers.
A) radio manufacturers improved radio technology.
B) improvements to radio technology were made by radio manufacturers.
C) improvements by radio manufacturers were being made to radio technology.
D) radio technology had been improved by radio manufacturers.
What is the correct way to rewrite the sentence using the active voice?
Outside of the classroom, most of Whitman’s education was received.
A) Most of his education outside of the classroom was received by Whitman.
B) Whitman received most of his education outside of the classroom.
C) By Whitman, most of his education outside the classroom was received.
D) Leave as is.
By boiling tap water for at least 15 minutes, the chlorine can be evaporated in order to make the water habitable for fish.
A) the chlorine can be evaporated
B) by evaporating the chlorine
C) they will evaporate the chlorine
D) you can evaporate the chlorine
E) the chlorine can have been evaporated
Pierre observed the diners and motels of middle America, and these are sights that are depicted in his trendy paintings.
A) these are sights that are depicted
B) the depiction of these sights is
C) these sights having been depicted
D) his depiction of these sights
E) depicted these sights
Although the wedding dress was designed especially for her, that it still needed a few alterations did not surprise Mattie.
A) that it still needed a few alterations did not surprise Mattie.
B) no surprise resulted when Mattie learned that it still needed a few alterations.
C) the few alterations that it still needed did not surprise Mattie.
D) Mattie was not surprised that it still needed a few alterations.
E) its still needing a few alterations did not surprise Mattie.
After Timmy dropped his filthy socks in the hamper, the offensive garment was washed by his long-suffering father.
A) the offensive garment was washed by his long-suffering father
B) his long-suffering father washed the offensive garment
C) the washing of the offensive garment took place by his long-suffering father
D) long-suffering, the offensive garment was washed by his father
E) he left the offensive garment for his long-suffering father who washed it
When the house was painted by Joe, he made sure to work slowly, carefully and thoroughly.
A) In the house being painted by Joe,
B) When Joe painted the house,
C) Joe, while painting the house,
D) The house was being painted by Joe,
E) Joe painted the house
Fine French food and wine are some of the things enjoyed by food connoisseurs, but gourmet eaters tend to prefer Italian food to French food.
A) Fine French food and wine are some of the things enjoyed by food connoisseurs
B) Fine French food and fine french wine are some of the things enjoyed by food connoisseurs
C) Food connoisseurs enjoy fine French food and wine
D) Fine French food and wine are some of the things that are enjoyed by food connoisseurs
E) Although food connoisseurs enjoy fine French food and wine
Ashley was enchanting to all of the guests that came to dinner.
A) was enchanting to all of
B) was enchanting to each of
C) enchanted to all of
D) is enchanting to all of
E) enchanted all of
There is a considerable range of talent demonstrated by the top chess players at the school.
A) There is a considerable range of talent demonstrated by the top chess players at the school
B) There is a considerable range of talent that the top chess players demonstrate at the school
C) At the school, a considerable range of talent is demonstrated by the top chess players
D) The top chess players at the school demonstrate a considerable range of talent
E) The top chess players, who are at the school, demonstrate a considerable range of talent
The decision to cancel the pep rally has already been made by the school principal.
A) The decision to cancel the pep rally has already been made by the school principal
B) The pep rally has been cancelled, in a decision already made by the school principal
C) The school principal has already decided to cancel the pep rally
D) The pep rally has been cancelled already by the school principal’s decision
E) The school principal decided already to cancel the pep rally
The teacher caught Geoffrey cheating, and he was kicked out of the class.
A) cheating, and he was kicked
B) cheating, and therefore he was kicked
C) cheating and kicked him
D) cheating after which he kicked him
E) cheating, so he was kicked
The letter is written by Sir Andrew and Sir Toby as a trick to make a fool of Malvolio.
A) The letter is written by Sir Andrew and Sir Toby
B) Sir Andrew and Sir Toby write the letter
C) The letter, which is written by Sir Andrew and Sir Toby,
D) The letter having been written by Sir Andrew and Sir Toby
E) Sir Andrew and Sir Toby are the authors of the letter used