Упражнения и задания по грамматике

2. Changing from active into passive

The object of the active verb becomes the subject in the passive sentence. The active verb changes into a passive form and the subject of the active sentence becomes an agent. The agent can be used (if it adds information) or omitted (if it does not add information).

	^Subject	^Verb	^Object	^Agent
^Active	^Bell	^invented	^the telephone.
^Passive	^The telephone	^was invented		^by Bell.

The agent is introduced with “by” (to say who or what did the action) or “with” (to say what instrument or material the agent used):

e.g. He was knocked down by the lorry. (The lorry did the action.)
e.g. The door was locked by the man with a key. (The key is the instrument the agent used.)
e.g. The cake was made with flour, sugar and eggs. (They are the materials the agent used.)


2.1 Fill in "by" or "with":

1. The window was broken with a hammer.

2. He was knocked down _____ a car.
3. The lion was shot _____ a rifle.
4. That novel was written _____ D. H. Lawrence.
5. The garden was dug _____ a spade.
6. The city was attacked _____ the enemy.
7. The pudding was made _____ fruit and chocolate.
8. He was hit _____ a handbag.
9. The picture was painted _____ Jackson Pollack.
10. The house was built _____ wood and bricks.


2.2 Turn from Active into Passive:

1. An expert is restoring the antique car. – The antique car is being restored by an expert.

2. Steven Spielberg has directed a lot of successful films.
3. The judge has fined him £300.
4. A number of reporters will meet the professor at the airport.
5. A famous designer is going to redecorate the President's house.
6. The Romans founded Bath in the first century A.D.
7. A nightmare woke Mary up.
8. The Muslims celebrate Ramadan.
9. Van Gogh painted "Sunflowers".
10. Astronauts are exploring space.


2.3 Make the sentences passive. Use the by-agent only if it is necessary:

1. Shakespeare wrote 'Hamlet'.

2. A drunken motorist knocked her down.
3. They have arrested her for shoplifting.
4. Liverpool beat Manchester 3-0 yesterday.
5. They are repairing your car now.
6. People in Chile speak Spanish.
7. The Chinese invented paper.
8. Has anybody asked Peter?
9. You need hops to make beer.
10. My mother made this ring.
11. They don't sell stamps in bookshops.
12. Electricity drives this car.
13. The directors are still considering your application.
14. Somebody will tell you where to go.