Active vs Passive
Both sentences can describe the same event — the difference is where the focus goes.
Active Voice
"The scientist discovered a new species."
Focus on the doer (the scientist). Subject = the one doing the action.
Passive Voice
"A new species was discovered by the scientist."
Focus on the result (the species). Subject = the one receiving the action.
The formula: be (in the correct tense) + past participle
The "by + agent" part is optional — leave it out when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
| Tense | Formula | Example |
|---|
| Present simple | is/are + pp | The office is cleaned every day. |
| Past simple | was/were + pp | The window was broken last night. |
| Present perfect | has/have been + pp | The contract has been signed. |
| Future simple | will be + pp | The results will be announced tomorrow. |
| Modal | modal + be + pp | The form must be completed in full. |
| Present continuous | is/are being + pp | The road is being repaired. |
Exercise 1
Active or Passive?
Identify whether each sentence is active or passive, and the tense.
Question 1 of 5
"The cake was eaten by the children."
Question 2 of 5
"The company will launch a new product next month."
Question 3 of 5
"A new school has been built in our town."
Question 4 of 5
"Thousands of people visit the museum every year."
Question 5 of 5
"The report must be submitted by Friday."
Exercise 2
Rewrite as Passive
Change each active sentence to passive. You can include "by..." or leave it out.
Question 1 of 4
"The chef cooked the meal."
Question 2 of 4
"Scientists have discovered a new planet."
Question 3 of 4
"They will announce the results tomorrow."
Question 4 of 4
"Someone broke the window last night."
Exercise 3
Click the Passive Verb Phrase
Click all the words that form the passive verb phrase (be + past participle).
Sentence 1 of 5
Click all the words in the passive verb phrase.
Sentence 2 of 5
Click all the words in the passive verb phrase.
Sentence 3 of 5
Click all the words in the passive verb phrase.
Sentence 4 of 5
Click all the words in the passive verb phrase.
Sentence 5 of 5
Click all the words in the passive verb phrase.
When to Use the Passive
The passive isn't wrong — it's a stylistic choice. Use it when one of these applies.
❓The doer is unknown or obvious
"My bike was stolen." (we don't know who)
"He was arrested." (clearly by police)
🎯Focus on the result, not the doer
"The bridge was built in 1889." (the bridge matters, not who built it)
📄Formal or impersonal writing
"It has been decided that..." / "Participants were asked to..."
🔑 Quick check: Ask "who does the action?" If the answer is unimportant, unknown, or obvious — passive. If it matters — active.
Exercise 4
Should You Use the Passive?
The passive is a choice. Decide when it fits best.
Question 1 of 4
"My bike was stolen." Why is the passive a good choice here?
Question 2 of 4
Which sentence is the most formal, report-style sentence?
Question 3 of 4
In which sentence is it worth keeping the doer (with "by"), because it matters?
Question 4 of 4
"The bridge was built in 1889." What is the focus of this sentence?
Exercise 5
Mixed Review
A mix of everything — identifying active/passive, forming the passive, and choosing when to use it.
Identify Active or Passive
Question 1 of 16
"The novel was translated into ten languages."
Question 2 of 16
"The manager will interview all candidates next week."
Question 3 of 16
"The tickets have already been sold."
Question 4 of 16
"The workers are repairing the road right now."
Choose the Correct Passive Form
Question 5 of 16
The letter by my grandmother. (write — past simple passive)
Question 6 of 16
The bridge next year. (build — future simple passive)
Question 7 of 16
The cake right now. (bake — present continuous passive)
Question 8 of 16
This task by Monday. (must/complete — modal passive)
When to Use the Passive
Question 9 of 16
Which is the better stylistic choice when the doer is unknown?
Question 10 of 16
Which is more natural for formal, impersonal writing?
Question 11 of 16
Which sentence focuses on the result rather than the doer?
Question 12 of 16
Why is the passive a good choice in "He was arrested last night"?
Building the Full Passive Sentence
Question 13 of 16
Active: "Someone cleans this office every day." Which is the correct passive version?
Question 14 of 16
Active: "They will finish the project by June." Which is the correct passive version?
Question 15 of 16
Active: "Vandals damaged the statue." Which is the correct passive version?
Question 16 of 16
Active: "You must wear a helmet." Which is the correct passive version?