Understanding Passive Voice

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus when using constructions with 'to get' or 'to have' for passive meanings?

The agency of the subject

The time of the action

The person performing the action

The result of the activity (correct)

Which of the following sentences illustrates the use of 'to have' in a passive construction?

She needs to have her report finished.

We are having the house painted. (correct)

I'll get my hair cut tomorrow.

Jim had his car repaired last week.

Which type of verb construction indicates something unwanted and possesses a passive meaning?

Getting something done

Using the verb to need

Forming sentences with to be

Having something taken (correct)

How are sentences in passive voice typically converted to active voice?

By reversing the subject and object roles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following constructions is NOT considered passive in meaning?

I have a meeting scheduled for 10 AM. Signup and view all the answers

In the sentences 'My hair needs cutting' and 'My hair needs to be cut', what is the underlying commonality?

They express a need for action. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the passive voice typically emphasize in a sentence?

The recipient of the action Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding the verb 'to get' in passive constructions?

It excludes the subject from the sentence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the passive equivalent of the active voice sentence 'I keep the butter in the fridge'?

The butter is kept in the fridge. Signup and view all the answers

Which tense has the passive voice structure 'is being kept'?

Present continuous Signup and view all the answers

Identify the active voice structure for 'Mary's schedule was kept meticulously.'

Mary kept her schedule meticulously. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is in the simple future tense in active voice?

Mark will keep the ficus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct passive equivalent of 'I have kept all your old letters'?

All your old letters have been kept. Signup and view all the answers

In the conditional present tense, what is the passive voice structure for 'I would keep your secret'?

Your secret would be kept. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the active voice form of 'The theater was keeping a seat for you'?

The theater is keeping a seat for you. Signup and view all the answers

What tense of passive voice corresponds to 'She wants to keep the book'?

To be kept Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of the passive voice?

To show interest in the person or object receiving the action. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is in passive voice?

The homework was given to the students by the teacher. Signup and view all the answers

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice?

When the focus is on the action or its recipient. Signup and view all the answers

Which components are necessary to form the passive voice in English?

Subject + verb 'to be' + past participle. Signup and view all the answers

Why might someone choose to use the passive voice?

To conceal the identity of the doer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct passive form of 'The city disposes of waste materials in a variety of ways'?

Waste materials are disposed of by the city in a variety of ways. Signup and view all the answers

How does switching from passive to active voice affect clarity in writing?

It makes the subject and action clearer. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following shows an incorrect usage of passive voice?

I have ate the cookies already. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct structure for the simple present passive voice?

Subject + to be (conjugated) + past participle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is in the past perfect passive voice?

The house had been cleaned before they arrived. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the correct passive voice structure for the future continuous tense.

will be being cleaned Signup and view all the answers

Which example correctly uses the passive voice with an infinitive?

I want to be surprised on my birthday. Signup and view all the answers

What passive voice structure is used with gerunds?

Subject + being + past participle Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates a passive voice construction with a modal verb?

You have to be tested on your skills. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following illustrates the use of 'to be born' in the correct tense?

I was born in 1976. Signup and view all the answers

In which form is the present perfect passive voice structure?

has been cleaned Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Passive Voice

Used to focus on the receiver of an action, not the performer
Frequently used in formal writing
Useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant
Often used in scientific or business writing

Functions of Passive Voice

Highlights the recipient of the action instead of the actor
Shows interest in the object or person experiencing the action
Common in formal writing

Examples of Passive Voice

The house was built in 1654. (Focus is on the house)
The road is being repaired. (Focus is on the road)

When to Use Passive Voice

When the actor is unknown or unimportant
When the result of the action is more important than the actor
To avoid mentioning the actor

Examples of Passive Voice Use Cases

Every year thousands of people are killed on our roads. (Actor unknown, emphasis on victims)
All the cookies have been eaten. (Actor unknown, focus is the eaten cookies)

Changing Passive to Active Voice

Requires identifying the actor
Makes the writing clearer and easier to read

Example Passive-to-Active Conversions

A great deal of meaning is conveyed by a few well-chosen words. -> A few well-chosen words convey a great deal of meaning.
Our planet is wrapped in a mass of gases. -> A mass of gases wrap around our planet.

Forming the Passive Voice

Uses the verb "to be" (is, was, will be etc.) in the appropriate tense plus the past participle of the main verb.
The object of the active voice becomes the subject of the passive voice.

Example Passive Voice Formation

The house was built in 1899 is formed from the active voice sentence: "Someone built the house in 1899"

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of passive voice in English grammar. Learn how to identify passive constructions and when to use them effectively in formal writing. Test your understanding of examples and the transformation between passive and active voice.