Passive Voice Exercises: Present Simple, Past Simple & Present Perfect

1. The house _________________(build) in 1645.

The house is built in 1645.

The house was built in 1645.

The house has been built in 1645.

The sentence is in the past tense, and when we describe an action that was completed in the past without specifying who performed the action, we often use the past tense of the verb "to be" (was/were) along with the past participle of the main verb. In this case, the past participle of "build" is "built."

Explanation

The sentence is in the past tense, and when we describe an action that was completed in the past without specifying who performed the action, we often use the past tense of the verb "to be" (was/were) along with the past participle of the main verb. In this case, the past participle of "build" is "built."

2. The mailman ___________ (bite) by the dog two days ago.

The mailman is bitten by the dog two days ago.

The mailman was bitten by the dog two days ago.

The mailman has been bitten by the dog two days ago.

The sentence describes a specific event that occurred in the past. When narrating past events, we use the past tense. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (was) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "bite" to form the past passive construction "was bitten."

Explanation

The sentence describes a specific event that occurred in the past. When narrating past events, we use the past tense. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (was) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "bite" to form the past passive construction "was bitten."

3. When ________________________________ ( paint- the Mona Lisa ) ?

When is the Mona Lisa painted?

When was the Mona Lisa painted?

When has the Mona Lisa been painted?

The sentence is inquiring about the time or period when the Mona Lisa was painted. When forming questions about past actions without specifying the doer, we use the past tense of the verb. In this case, the past tense of "to be" (was) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "paint" to form the question "When was the Mona Lisa painted?"

Explanation

The sentence is inquiring about the time or period when the Mona Lisa was painted. When forming questions about past actions without specifying the doer, we use the past tense of the verb. In this case, the past tense of "to be" (was) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "paint" to form the question "When was the Mona Lisa painted?"

4. Bread_____________ (make) from milk, eggs and flour.

Bread is made from milk, eggs and flour.

Bread was made from milk, eggs and flour.

Bread has been made from milk, eggs and flour.

The sentence describes a general truth or fact, and in such cases, we often use the present tense. The verb "make" should be in the present tense, and when combined with the auxiliary verb "is," it forms the present passive construction "is made."

Explanation

The sentence describes a general truth or fact, and in such cases, we often use the present tense. The verb "make" should be in the present tense, and when combined with the auxiliary verb "is," it forms the present passive construction "is made."

5. The film adaptations of the first three books ________________(release) in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

The film adaptations of the first three books are released in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

The film adaptations of the first three books were released in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

The film adaptations of the first three books have been released in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

The sentence discusses events that occurred in the past, specifically the release of film adaptations in 2008, 2009, and 2010. When referring to actions completed in the past, we use the past tense. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (were) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "release" to form the past passive construction "were released."

Explanation

The sentence discusses events that occurred in the past, specifically the release of film adaptations in 2008, 2009, and 2010. When referring to actions completed in the past, we use the past tense. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (were) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "release" to form the past passive construction "were released."

6. Every day more than million items ___________________ (search) by people in Google.com.

Every day more than million items are searched by people in Google.com.

Every day more than million items were searched by people in Google.com.

Every day more than million items have been searched by people in Google.com.

The correct answer is "Every day more than million items are searched by people in Google.com." This answer is correct because it uses the present simple tense ("are searched") to describe a habitual action that occurs every day. The other options ("were searched" and "have been searched") use past tense and present perfect tense, which do not accurately convey the ongoing and continuous nature of the action.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Every day more than million items are searched by people in Google.com." This answer is correct because it uses the present simple tense ("are searched") to describe a habitual action that occurs every day. The other options ("were searched" and "have been searched") use past tense and present perfect tense, which do not accurately convey the ongoing and continuous nature of the action.

7. Pine cones ___________ (eat) by squirrels.

Pine cones are eaten by squirrels.

Pine cones were eaten by squirrels.

Pine cones have been eaten by squirrels.

The sentence describes a habitual or general action, stating a fact about what typically happens. When discussing such actions, we use the present tense. In this case, the present tense of the verb "to be" (are) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "eat" to form the present passive construction "are eaten."

Explanation

The sentence describes a habitual or general action, stating a fact about what typically happens. When discussing such actions, we use the present tense. In this case, the present tense of the verb "to be" (are) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "eat" to form the present passive construction "are eaten."

8. The hostages ___________________ (finally - release) yesterday.

The hostages are finally released yesterday.

The hostages were finally released yesterday.

The hostages have finally been released yesterday.

The sentence describes a past event that has been completed, and it uses the past tense to convey this. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (were) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "release" to form the past passive construction "were finally released."

Explanation

The sentence describes a past event that has been completed, and it uses the past tense to convey this. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (were) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "release" to form the past passive construction "were finally released."

9. SpongeBob SquarePants _____________ (Create) by Stephen Hillenburg.

SpongeBob SquarePants is created by Stephen Hillenburg.

SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg.

SpongeBob SquarePants has been created by Stephen Hillenburg.

The sentence is providing information about the creation of SpongeBob SquarePants in the past. When discussing events or actions that happened in the past and are not ongoing, we use the past tense. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (was) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "create" to form the past passive construction "was created."

Explanation

The sentence is providing information about the creation of SpongeBob SquarePants in the past. When discussing events or actions that happened in the past and are not ongoing, we use the past tense. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (was) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "create" to form the past passive construction "was created."

10. Since 2010, the webpage _______________________ (visit) by 3.5 million people.

Since 2010, the webpage is visited by 3.5 million people.

Since 2010, the webpage was visited by 3.5 million people.

Since 2010, the webpage has been visited by 3.5 million people.

The sentence refers to an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. When expressing actions that have occurred over a period of time and have relevance to the present, we use the present perfect tense. In this case, the present perfect tense of the verb "to be" (has been) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "visit" to form the present perfect passive construction "has been visited."

Explanation

The sentence refers to an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. When expressing actions that have occurred over a period of time and have relevance to the present, we use the present perfect tense. In this case, the present perfect tense of the verb "to be" (has been) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "visit" to form the present perfect passive construction "has been visited."

11. The problem_________________ (solve) quickly once the manager arrived.

The problem is solved quickly once the manager arrived.

The problem was solved quickly once the manager arrived.

The problem has been solved quickly once the manager arrived.

The sentence describes the resolution of the problem in the past, and it implies a completed action. When referring to a past action or event that has been completed, we typically use the past tense. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (was) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "solve" to form the past passive construction "was solved."

Explanation

The sentence describes the resolution of the problem in the past, and it implies a completed action. When referring to a past action or event that has been completed, we typically use the past tense. In this case, the past tense of the verb "to be" (was) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "solve" to form the past passive construction "was solved."

12. These statistics ____________________ ( not -revise ) since 1997.

These statistics are not revised since 1997.

These statistics were not revised since 1997.

These statistics have not been revised since 1997.

The sentence expresses the duration from 1997 until the present, emphasizing the ongoing state of the statistics. In such cases, the present perfect tense is appropriate. The present perfect tense of the verb "to be" (have been) is combined with the negation "not" and the past participle of the main verb "revise" to form the present perfect passive construction "have not been revised."

Explanation

The sentence expresses the duration from 1997 until the present, emphasizing the ongoing state of the statistics. In such cases, the present perfect tense is appropriate. The present perfect tense of the verb "to be" (have been) is combined with the negation "not" and the past participle of the main verb "revise" to form the present perfect passive construction "have not been revised."

13. Geoff ______________________ ( give - recently) new responsibilities at work.

Geoff is recently given new responsibilities at work.

Geoff was recently given new responsibilities at work.

Geoff has recently been given new responsibilities at work.

The sentence describes an action that occurred recently, and it emphasizes the connection between the past and the present. When discussing recent actions that are still relevant, the present perfect tense is used. In this case, the present perfect tense of the verb "to be" (has been) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "give" to form the present perfect passive construction "has recently been given."

Explanation

The sentence describes an action that occurred recently, and it emphasizes the connection between the past and the present. When discussing recent actions that are still relevant, the present perfect tense is used. In this case, the present perfect tense of the verb "to be" (has been) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "give" to form the present perfect passive construction "has recently been given."

14. Twillight romance novels _____________ (write) by S. Meyers.

Twillight romance novels are written by S. Meyers.

Twillight romance novels were written by S. Meyers.

Twillight romance novels have been written by S. Meyers.

The sentence describes an ongoing action or a general truth in the present. When talking about the authorship of Twilight romance novels, we use the present tense of the verb "to be" (are) along with the past participle of the main verb "write" to form the present passive construction "are written."

Explanation

The sentence describes an ongoing action or a general truth in the present. When talking about the authorship of Twilight romance novels, we use the present tense of the verb "to be" (are) along with the past participle of the main verb "write" to form the present passive construction "are written."

15. The new opera __________________ ( finish – just )

The new opera is just finished.

The new opera was just finished.

The new opera has just finished.

The sentence conveys that the new opera has been completed very recently, indicating a connection between the past and the present. In such cases, the present perfect tense is appropriate. The present perfect tense of the verb is combined with the past participle of the main verb "finish" to form the present perfect passive construction "has just finished."

Explanation

The sentence conveys that the new opera has been completed very recently, indicating a connection between the past and the present. In such cases, the present perfect tense is appropriate. The present perfect tense of the verb is combined with the past participle of the main verb "finish" to form the present perfect passive construction "has just finished."

16. The concert tonight _____________ (cancel) because the guitarist is sick.

The concert tonight is canceled because the guitarist is sick.

The concert tonight was canceled because the guitarist is sick.

The concert tonight has been canceled because the guitarist is sick.

The sentence discusses a recent decision or situation that has an effect on the present. When conveying such information, we use the present perfect tense. In this case, the present perfect tense of the verb "to be" (has been) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "cancel" to form the present perfect passive construction "has been canceled."

Explanation

The sentence discusses a recent decision or situation that has an effect on the present. When conveying such information, we use the present perfect tense. In this case, the present perfect tense of the verb "to be" (has been) is combined with the past participle of the main verb "cancel" to form the present perfect passive construction "has been canceled."