Voice Change: Practice Set

Expert-Level Voice Change Challenge

Master Active & Passive Voice with 50 complex questions. You have 30 minutes!

1. Who taught you French?

• By whom were you taught French?
• By whom was you taught French?
• Who was French taught to you by?
• French was taught to you by who?

Rule: When changing an interrogative sentence starting with 'Who', the passive form begins with 'By whom'. The verb must agree with the new subject 'you' (plural 'were').

2. They say that honesty is the best policy.

• Honesty is the best policy, was said by them.
• That honesty is the best policy is said by them.
• It is said that honesty is the best policy.
• It was said that honesty is the best policy.

Rule: For active sentences with an introductory verb like 'say', 'believe', 'think', the passive can be formed using the structure 'It is said/believed/thought that...'. The tense of the universal truth does not change.

3. The doctor advised the patient not to eat rice.

• The patient was advised by the doctor not to eat rice.
• The patient was advised by the doctor that he should not eat rice.
• The patient was advised by the doctor to not eat rice.
• The patient was advised against eating rice by the doctor.

Rule: The structure 'advised [object] not to...' is passivized by making the object the subject. The negative infinitive 'not to eat' remains unchanged. Option B changes the structure unnecessarily.

4. It is time to close the shop.

• It is time the shop to be closed.
• The shop is to be closed now as it is time.
• It is time for the shop being closed.
• It is time for the shop to be closed.

Rule: For sentences with the structure 'It is time to + V1', the passive form is 'It is time for [object] to be + V3'.

5. One should keep one's promises.

• Promises should be kept.
• One's promises should be kept by one.
• A promise should be kept.
• Promises should be kept by us.

Rule: When the subject of the active sentence is a vague pronoun like 'one', 'someone', or 'they', the 'by' agent is omitted in the passive voice.

6. The noise of the traffic kept me awake.

• I was kept waking by the noise of the traffic.
• I was kept awake by the noise of the traffic.
• I was woken by the noise of the traffic.
• The noise of the traffic was keeping me awake.

Rule: The object 'me' becomes the subject 'I'. The past simple verb 'kept' becomes 'was kept'. The complement 'awake' remains unchanged.

7. They made him the captain of the team.

• The captain of the team was made by them.
• The team's captain has been made by him.
• He was made the captain of the team by them.
• He was the captain of the team made by them.

Rule: In this sentence with an object ('him') and an object complement ('the captain'), the object becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The complement remains in its place.

8. Has someone broken the window pane?

• Has the window pane been broken by someone?
• Have the window pane been broken?
• Has the window pane been broken?
• The window pane has been broken by someone?

Rule: In an interrogative sentence, the passive form also remains interrogative. The agent 'by someone' is vague and can be omitted. The verb 'Has' agrees with the new singular subject 'the window pane'.

9. The situation compelled me to take this drastic step.

• I was compelled by the situation to take this drastic step.
• I was compelled to this drastic step by the situation.
• This drastic step was compelled to be taken by me.
• To take this drastic step was compelled by me due to the situation.

Rule: The object 'me' becomes the subject 'I'. The infinitive phrase 'to take this drastic step' remains unchanged after the passive verb 'was compelled'.

10. We must listen to his words.

• His words must be listened by us.
• His words must be listened.
• His words must be listened to by us.
• His words are to be listened to by us.

Rule (Prepositional Verbs): When changing the voice of a verb followed by a preposition ('listen to'), the preposition must be retained immediately after the verb in the passive form.

11. Why did your father refuse such an honourable job?

• Why was such an honourable job refused from your father?
• Why such an honourable job was refused by your father?
• Why did such an honourable job be refused by your father?
• Why was such an honourable job refused by your father?

Rule: For Wh-questions, the Wh-word remains at the beginning. The structure is: Wh-word + auxiliary verb + subject + V3 + by agent. The auxiliary 'was' agrees with the new subject 'job'.

12. Let the children play in the park.

• The children are allowed to play in the park.
• The children should be allowed to play in the park.
• Let the park be played in by the children.
• You should let the children play in the park.

Rule: When 'Let' is used to mean 'allow' or 'permit', the passive form can be structured using 'should be allowed to' or 'might be allowed to'.

13. The magistrate ordered the police to arrest the thief.

• The police were ordered by the magistrate to arrest the thief.
• The thief was ordered to be arrested by the police by the magistrate.
• The police were ordered to be arrested the thief by the magistrate.
• The police were ordered by the magistrate to arrest the thief.

Rule: This sentence has an object ('the police') and an infinitive clause ('to arrest the thief'). The primary object 'the police' becomes the subject of the passive voice. The infinitive clause remains.

14. His behaviour displeases the teachers.

• The teachers are displeased by his behaviour.
• The teachers are displeased from his behaviour.
• The teachers are displeased with his behaviour.
• The teachers were displeased with his behaviour.

Rule: Certain verbs take fixed prepositions other than 'by' in the passive voice. The verb 'displease' is followed by 'with' (or 'at').

15. Do not insult the poor.

• Let the poor to be not insulted.
• You are ordered not to insult the poor.
• Let not the poor be insulted.
• The poor should not be insulted by you.

Rule: For negative imperative sentences, the passive can be formed using 'Let not + object + be + V3'. This is a common and formal structure.

16. We saw them go out.

• They were seen to going out by us.
• They were seen go out by us.
• They were seen to have gone out by us.
• They were seen to go out by us.

Rule: Verbs of perception (like 'see', 'hear', 'watch') are followed by a bare infinitive (V1) in the active voice. In the passive voice, this changes to a 'to-infinitive' ('to go').

17. This book contains many interesting articles.

• Many interesting articles are contained by this book.
• Many interesting articles are contained in this book.
• Many interesting articles were contained in this book.
• In this book are contained many interesting articles.

Rule: The verb 'contain' takes the preposition 'in', not 'by', in the passive voice.

18. Who can question his integrity?

• By whom can his integrity be questioned?
• By whom his integrity can be questioned?
• His integrity can be questioned by who?
• By whom can his integrity be questioned?

Rule: For interrogative sentences with modals, the structure is: By whom + modal + subject + be + V3. The interrogative form must be maintained.

19. The Romans expected to conquer Carthage.

• It was expected by the Romans to conquer Carthage.
• To conquer Carthage was expected by the Romans.
• Carthage was expected by the Romans to conquer.
• It was expected by the Romans that they would conquer Carthage.

Rule: When the object of the verb is an infinitive, a common passive structure is 'It was expected/hoped/believed that...'. This makes the sentence clearer than other forms.

20. Quinine tastes bitter.

• Quinine is bitter when it is tasted.
• Quinine is tasted bitter.
• The taste of quinine is bitter.
• Quinine is bitter.

Rule (Quasi-Passive): Verbs that have an active form but a passive meaning are changed using the structure: Subject + verb (be) + complement + when + pronoun + verb (be) + V3.

21. The president's speech was listened to in silence by the audience.

• The audience listened in silence to the president's speech.
• The audience listened to the president's speech in silence.
• The audience listened to the president's speech silently.
• The audience in silence listened to the president's speech.

Rule (Passive to Active): The agent 'the audience' becomes the subject. The verb 'was listened to' becomes the active past simple 'listened to'. The phrase 'in silence' is an adverbial and fits most naturally at the end.

22. Circumstances will oblige me to go.

• I will be obliged to go by circumstances.
• I would be obliged by circumstances to go.
• I shall be obliged by circumstances to go.
• I shall be obliged to go by circumstances.

Rule: The object 'me' becomes the subject 'I'. With 'I' as the subject, 'will' in the active voice conventionally changes to 'shall' in the passive to indicate future action.

23. I remember my father taking me to the zoo.

• I remember being taken to the zoo by my father.
• I remember myself being taken to the zoo by my father.
• I remember I was taken to the zoo by my father.
• I remember being taken to the zoo by my father.

Rule: When the object of the verb 'remember' is a gerund phrase, the passive is formed by using the passive gerund 'being + V3'.

24. Have the authorities looked into this matter?

• Has this matter been looked by the authorities?
• Has this matter been looked into by the authorities?
• Has this matter looked into by the authorities?
• Have this matter been looked into by the authorities?

Rule (Phrasal Verbs): The preposition 'into' is part of the phrasal verb 'look into' and must be retained in the passive voice. The auxiliary 'Has' agrees with the new singular subject 'this matter'.

25. They are considering your proposal.

• Your proposal is considered by them.
• Your proposal has been considered by them.
• Your proposal is being considered by them.
• Consideration is being given to your proposal.

Rule: The Present Continuous tense (are considering) changes to the passive form 'is/are + being + V3'.

26. Who wrote this piece of music?

• By whom this piece of music was written?
• This piece of music was written by who?
• By whom was this piece of music written?
• Who was this piece of music written by?

Rule: The interrogative structure 'By whom + auxiliary + subject + V3' is the formal and correct way to passivize a 'Who' question.

27. The fire damaged the building extensively.

• The building was extensively damaging by the fire.
• Extensive damage was done to the building by the fire.
• The building was extensively damaged by the fire.
• The building had been damaged extensively by the fire.

Rule: The past simple verb 'damaged' changes to 'was damaged'. The adverb 'extensively' is correctly placed before the main verb.

28. I was offered a chair.

• They offered a chair to me.
• Someone offered me a chair.
• A chair was offered to me by them.
• He offered me a chair.

Rule (Passive to Active): Since the agent is missing in the passive voice, a vague pronoun like 'Someone' or 'They' can be used as the subject in the active voice.

29. We all know that there is only one God.

• It is known to us all that there is only one God.
• That there is only one God is known by us all.
• There is only one God is a fact known to us all.
• It is known to us all that there is only one God.

Rule: The verb 'know' is followed by the preposition 'to' in the passive voice, not 'by'. The introductory 'It is known...' structure is used.

30. Please do not walk on the grass.

• You are requested to not walk on the grass.
• Let the grass not be walked on.
• You are requested not to walk on the grass.
• You are ordered not to walk on the grass.

Rule: Imperative sentences with 'Please' are changed using 'You are requested...'. The correct structure for the negative infinitive is 'not to walk'.

31. They will have to pull down this old building.

• This old building will have to be pulled down by them.
• This old building will be pulled down by them.
• This old building will have to be pulled down.
• This old building is to be pulled down.

Rule: The modal phrase 'will have to' changes to 'will have to be + V3'. The agent 'by them' is vague and can be omitted for a more natural sentence.

32. Whom does he look for?

• Who is looked for by him?
• By whom is he looked for?
• He is looked for by whom?
• Who is looked for by him?

Rule: When changing a 'Whom' question, 'Whom' becomes 'Who' in the passive voice, which then acts as the subject.

33. I did not praise anyone.

• No one was praised by me.
• Anyone was not praised by me.
• Someone was not praised by me.
• Praise was not given to anyone by me.

Rule: 'Not... anyone' in the active voice becomes 'No one' or 'Nobody' in the passive voice, which then requires a positive verb ('was praised').

34. A lion may be helped even by a little mouse.

• Even a little mouse may have helped a lion.
• A little mouse may even help a lion.
• Even a little mouse may help a lion.
• A little mouse can help a lion even.

Rule (Passive to Active): The agent 'a little mouse' becomes the subject. The passive modal 'may be helped' becomes the active modal 'may help'.

35. Your proposal is not acceptable to us.

• We do not accept your proposal.
• We cannot accept your proposal.
• We have not accepted your proposal.
• Your proposal is not accepted by us.

Rule (Passive to Active): The sentence implies a present simple state. The agent 'us' becomes the subject 'We'. The passive 'is not acceptable' becomes the active 'do not accept'.

36. People believe him to be a spy.

• He is believed a spy by people.
• A spy is believed to be him.
• He is believed to be a spy.
• It is believed that he is a spy.

Rule: The structure 'believe [object] to be...' is passivized by making the object the subject, followed by the passive verb and the infinitive clause. Option D is also a correct passive form, but A is a more direct conversion.

37. Must we cut this tree?

• Must this tree be cutted by us?
• Must this tree be cut by us?
• Should this tree be cut by us?
• This tree must be cut by us?

Rule: For modal interrogatives, the structure is: Modal + subject + be + V3. The third form of 'cut' is 'cut'.

38. They have reported that the ship is missing.

• The ship has been reported to be missing.
• It has been reported by them that the ship is missing.
• The ship is reported to be missing by them.
• The ship has been reported to be missing.

Rule: When the active verb is in the present perfect, the passive can be formed by making the object of the 'that' clause the new subject, followed by 'has/have been + V3 + to be...'.

39. The crowd laughed at the clown.

• The clown was laughed by the crowd.
• The clown was laughed at by the crowd.
• The clown was being laughed at by the crowd.
• Laughter was made at the clown by the crowd.

Rule (Prepositional Verbs): The preposition 'at' is part of the verb 'laugh at' and must be retained in the passive voice.

40. Will you have finished the work by tomorrow?

• Will the work have been finished by you by tomorrow?
• Will the work be finished by you by tomorrow?
• By tomorrow, will the work be finished by you?
• Will the work have been finished by tomorrow?

Rule: The Future Perfect tense (will have finished) changes to the passive form 'will have been + V3'. The agent 'by you' can be omitted if it's not essential for the meaning.

41. I object to your proposal.

• Your proposal is objected to by me.
• Your proposal is objected by me.
• Your proposal has been objected to by me.
• Objection is made to your proposal by me.

Rule (Prepositional Verbs): The verb 'object' is intransitive but takes the preposition 'to'. The entire phrase 'object to' must be treated as the verb. The passive is formed by making the object of the preposition the new subject.

42. They are going to build a new airport near the old one.

• A new airport is built near the old one by them.
• A new airport is going to be built near the old one.
• A new airport will be built near the old one by them.
• A new airport is going to be built near the old one.

Rule: The structure 'is/are going to + V1' changes to 'is/are going to be + V3' in the passive voice. The agent 'by them' can be omitted.

43. His words shocked me.

• I was shocked at his words.
• I was shocked by his words.
• I was shocked with his words.
• I had been shocked at his words.

Rule: The verb 'shocked' is often followed by the preposition 'at' in the passive voice, especially when referring to an event or words. 'By' is also acceptable but 'at' is very common.

44. Let him finish the task.

• Let the task be finished.
• Let the task be finished by him.
• The task should be finished by him.
• He should be allowed to finish the task.

Rule: For imperative sentences starting with 'Let [object] + V1', the passive structure is 'Let + new subject + be + V3 + by agent'.

45. Why do you waste time?

• Why is time wasted by you?
• Why time is wasted by you?
• Why is time being wasted by you?
• Why is time wasted by you?

Rule: The present simple tense ('do waste') changes to the passive 'is wasted'. The interrogative form is maintained: Wh-word + auxiliary + subject + V3.

46. The children have spoiled the carpet.

• The carpet was spoiled by the children.
• The carpet has been spoiled by the children.
• The carpet is spoiled by the children.
• The carpet have been spoiled by the children.

Rule: The present perfect tense ('have spoiled') changes to 'has/have been + V3'. 'Carpet' is singular, so it takes 'has'.

47. One cannot expect children to understand these problems.

• Children cannot be expected to understand these problems.
• It cannot be expected by one that children should understand these problems.
• For children to understand these problems cannot be expected.
• These problems cannot be expected to be understood by children.

Rule: The object 'children' becomes the subject. The modal verb 'cannot expect' becomes 'cannot be expected'. The infinitive clause 'to understand...' remains. The agent 'by one' is omitted.

48. Do you understand what I mean?

• Is what I mean understood by you?
• Was what I mean understood by you?
• Is what I mean understood by you?
• Is my meaning understood by you?

Rule: The entire clause 'what I mean' acts as the object and becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Since the clause is singular, it takes the singular verb 'is'.

49. He likes people to praise him.

• He likes to be praised by people.
• He likes to be praised.
• He is liked to be praised by people.
• He likes being praised by people.

Rule: The main verb 'likes' remains active. The passive change happens in the infinitive clause: 'to praise him' becomes 'to be praised'. The agent 'by people' is vague and can be omitted.

50. The walls had not been decorated by us.

• We had not decorated the walls.
• We did not decorate the walls.
• We have not decorated the walls.
• The walls were not decorated by us.

Rule (Passive to Active): The agent 'us' becomes the subject 'We'. The passive verb 'had not been decorated' (Past Perfect Passive) becomes the active 'had not decorated' (Past Perfect Active).

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