Passive voice 1. In Canada and New Zealand, two official languages (speak). 2. The book two years ago( write). 3. New Year in most countries( celebrate). 4. Those novels only after the writer’s death(publish) 5. Usually journalists to the different ceremonies (invite). 6. All the participants the prizes last week (award). 7. He a lot of questions in the exam yesterday (ask). 8. I liked this salad! What it from? (make)
- In this sentence, the verb "speak" is put into the passive voice. The subject "two official languages" is performing the action of being spoken.
2. The book was written two years ago.
- Here, the verb "write" is also changed to the passive voice. The subject "the book" is the receiver of the action "was written" by an unidentified agent.
3. New Year is celebrated in most countries.
- The verb "celebrate" is transformed to the passive voice. The subject "New Year" is having the action "is celebrated" performed upon it.
4. Those novels are only published after the writer's death.
- Here, the verb "publish" is converted into the passive voice. The subject "those novels" undergoes the action "are published" by an unidentified agent.
5. Usually, journalists are invited to the different ceremonies.
- In this sentence, the verb "invite" is changed to the passive voice. The subject "journalists" are being included in the action of being invited.
6. All the participants were awarded the prizes last week.
- The verb "award" is transformed into the passive voice. The subject "all the participants" are experiencing the action "were awarded" by an unidentified agent.
7. He was asked a lot of questions in the exam yesterday.
- Here, the verb "ask" is put into the passive voice. The subject "he" is the receiver of the action "was asked" performed by an unidentified agent.
8. I liked this salad! What is it made from?
- The verb "make" is changed to the passive voice. The subject "it" is the focus of the action "is made" by an unidentified agent.
By transforming the sentences into the passive voice, we shift the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver of the action. This can be useful when the doer is unknown or less important.