Unit 7 : The Verb: Tenses. Passive voice
Test Your Grammar
1. Paraphrase each of the following sentences in such a way that it is similar to the sentence before it.
The car completely destroyed my motorbike.
My motorbike _________________________________________
Second prize was awarded to an unknown author from Dorset.
An unknown author from Dorset ____________________________
The judge refused him permission to appeal against the decision.
He ___________________________________________________
Burt have earned several million pounds from their new album.
Burt’s new album _______________________________________
They suggested we try a new method of checking how much we were spending.
We ___________________________________________________
We can’t possibly complete this work overnight.
This work______________________________________________
They should return the application forms by 12 November.
Application forms _______________________________________
The dentist is going to stop two of my teeth tomorrow.
I'm having ____________________________________________
2. Use the correct tenses and passive forms of the verbs in brackets. Fishy Tales
Mermaids (see) 1 …………………by sailors for centuries. The basis of all mermaid myths (suppose) 2……………………. to be a creature called a Manatee: a kind of walrus! Mermaids used (to show) 3……………………. in funfairs until recently. It all began in 1817 when a “mermaid” (buy) 4 ……………………..for $ 6,000 by a sailor in the South Pacific. She (eventually/sell) 5 …………………… to a great circus-owner Barnum. She (exhibit) 6 ……………………… in 1842 as “The Feejee Mermaid”. It (say) 7……………………that it earned Barnum $ 1,000 a week! The thousands who saw this mermaid (probably/disappoint) 8 ……………………. . She (cleverly make) 9 …………………. by a Japanese fisherman. A monkey’s head (delicately sew) 10 …………………. to the tail of a large salmon. The job (so skillfully do) 11 ………………… that the join between the fish and the monkey was invisible. Real imagination (obviously require) 12 ……………….. to see this revolting creature as a beautiful mermaid combing her golden hair!
20 Points Points to think of
a. True or False?
Active and Passive sentences usually have the same meaning but the focus is different. T F
The object of an active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. T F
Passive statements always have a form of the verb to be. T F
Passive statements always have an object. T F
Use the passive with by if you mention the agent. T F
Always mention the agent. T F
Passives with modals don’t use be T F
A modal or an auxiliary verb comes before the subject in passive questions with modals. T F
Sum up: What are the cases when we don’t mention the agent ( = the doer of the action)?
b. Change each sentence into the passive by making the underlined phrase the subject of the sentence. Sometimes two possible subjects are suggested. Use by… only if necessary.
The government is going to propose a new educational bill next week.
__________________________________________________________
Sweden offered John Ngomo, a Kenyan champion runner, their citizenship.
__________________________________________________________
The Prince of Wales has announced a plan to reduce the living costs of the Royal Family.
__________________________________________________________
A computer will calculate the risk of building a nuclear power plant near New-York.
__________________________________________________________
An unknown contestant from Jamaica broke the world high jump record yesterday.
__________________________________________________________
The world expects China to change its internal policy.
__________________________________________________________
Someone must keep the business world more aware of social issues.
__________________________________________________________
A famous rock musician is composing a new song to commemorate the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.
__________________________________________________________
Sum up: Can verbs with or without an object be made passive? Can all transitive verbs be made passive? Does the passive change the focus of interest? Is the passive often used with reporting verbs?
c. Write the correct verb form, active or passive, using the verb given.
WALK
1. -How did you get there?
- We walked. It didn’t take long.
2. Our baby Jack ____ now. He’s a year old.
3. I need to have a rest. We ______ non-stop for four hours.
TAKE
4.It was a hard match. At half-time, one of the footballers ______ to hospital.
5. This shirt fits me. I ______ it.
6. My dog looked guilty. He ______ some food from the kitchen table.
HAVE
7. We need a new car. We ______ this one for ages.
8. We ____ a lovely picnic until my wife was stung by a bee.
9. Don’t phone at 8.00. We _____ dinner then.
MAKE
10. Our sandwiches __________ freshly ______ daily.
11. Have you heard about Lenny? He ________ redundant.
12. By the time I’m forty I _____ enough money to retire.
WASH
13. –Where are my jeans?
- They ______ at the moment.
14. My favourite white T-shirt went pink. It ____ with my daughter’s red jumper.
15. Simon was all wet because ______ the car.
SELL
16. My sister earns a good salary. She ____ computer software.
17. If no one offers to buy the house, it _____ by auction next months
18. I wish I’d bought that antique chair I saw in the shop window. I’m sure it will have been sold by now.
TEACH
19. At the end of this term I _____ for six years.
20. The children ______ how to make cakes when one boy dropped his bowl on the teacher’s foot.
d. Complete the tense chart with the verb forms from Exercise b).
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Active |
Simple |
Continuous | |
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Present |
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Past |
walked |
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Future |
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Present Perfect |
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Past Perfect |
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Future Perfect |
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Passive |
Simple |
Continuous | |
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Present |
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Past |
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Future |
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Present Perfect |
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Past Perfect |
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Future Perfect |
will have been sold |
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