7.2.5. Tenses of the Verb in the Passive Voice

Ex. 203. Put the following sentences into the Passive Voice.

A. 1.They offered me a cup of tea. 2. Students take examinations at the end of each term. 3. Mother baked the birthday cake. 4. The children asked me to read this story. 5. The waiter will serve you breakfast in five minutes. 6. Father taught me to ride a bicycle. 7. George Simenon wrote this story. 8. People speak English in many countries. 9. The doctor told him to lie in bed for three days. 10. I shall give you a cup of coffee if you want. 11. They close the shop at five. 12. Columbus discovered America in 1492.

B. 1. What are they discussing? 2. The professor is examining our group. 3. The Spartans were celebrating a religious festival when a messenger came from Athens. 4. They are building a new school in our district. 5. What film are they demonstrating in the lecture room? 6. He had a feeling that someone was following him. 7. They were watching and taking pictures of a UFO. 8. They were interrogating the first witness when I came into the courtroom. 9. They are counting the prize money. 10. They are relieving him of his duty because of his age.

C. 1. They have offered me a job at a local bank. 2. Have you warned them about the meeting? 3. Someone has stolen a picture from a museum. 4. I have lost some secret papers. 5. We have kept this meat in the fridge for a week. 6. The police have found a dead body in the park. 7. They had packed the suitcases when the bellboy arrived. 8. I didn’t attend the meeting because you hadn’t warned me. 9. The room looked dirty as we hadn’t cleaned it for a week. 10. They will clear up the situation when they have known some more facts. 11. They will have repaired my shoes by the evening.

Ex. 204. Change the following sentences using Prepositional Passive Constructions.

A. 1. He listened to the lecture very attentively. 2. They always laugh at his jokes. 3. They talked a lot about this film. 4. We have never heard of him since. 5. The aunt will look after the children well. 6. We have just sent for the doctor. 7. Somebody is waiting for you downstairs. 8. Nobody laughed at him when he said it. 9. The guests looked for the ring everywhere. 10. They speak highly of this textbook. 11. They insisted on these terms. 12. I think that we can rely on this information.

B. 1. They take good care of their grandmother. 2. We disagreed with this statement. 3. He said that everybody had objected to that proposal. 4. Nobody has slept in that room lately. 5. They agreed upon the date of the conference. 6. He reads to his daughter every night. 7. I think he will refer to this example in his lecture. 8. The dean has just approved of the timetable. 9. He knew they had resorted to kidnapping. 10. I am sure that the newspapers will have commented on this event by tomorrow morning. 11. Can they arrive at an agreement? 12. They are not living in this house now. 13. The teacher was finding fault with my report when the bell rang. 14. I am afraid they will not pay attention to his advice. 15. The ship left the harbor and we lost sight of it. 16. We haven't made use of his tools for a long time.

Ex. 205. Make these sentences passive using the modal verbs:

A. 1. You can do it tomorrow. 2. She must write it at once. 3. You can use this material for your work. 4. I can’t send off the letter today. 5. We couldn’t finish the work in time. 6. You may leave the dictionaries on the table. 7. We must do this work every day. 8. You should change the end of the story. 9. The committee ought to discuss this question immediately.10.You should open the window. It’s too stuffy in the room. 11. I have to wind up my watch regularly. 12. He has to translate this text today.

B. 1. She could have booked the ticket yesterday. 2. Can they have completed the work? 3. He can’t have translated the article. 4. She could have given an answer last week. 5. You might have already served the tea. 6. They must have answered this difficult question. 7. You must have understood this phrase in a wrong way. 8. He may have forgotten your invitation. 9. He should have taken them to the airport in his car yesterday. 10. You shouldn’t have disturbed your father. 11. You ought to have told them about it. 12. You ought to have translated the text last week. 13. He should have sent these letters by fax. 14. You must not throw your things about.

Ex. 206. Fill in the blanks with the prepositions by or with:

1. The meeting was attended … thousands of people. 2. The football game was watched … great interest. 3. At the foot of the mountain we were joined … a group of tourists. 4. Some plants are quickly affected … cold. 5. The fire was put out … water. 6. The lectures will be delivered … well-known scientists. 7. The cases are being packed … skilled workers. 8. They were threatened … danger. 9. This theatre was designed … a famous architect. 10. He said that the letter had been signed … the director. 11. The bread was cut … a sharp knife. 12. When we entered the room the contract was being checked … the legal adviser. 13. The sky is covered … clouds. 14. The child was covered … a blanket … his mother. 15. This note is written … a very bad pen, that’s why you can’t read it. 16. Can you open the door … this key? 17. Much damage was done … the storm. 18. This book has been written … three authors. 19. Trams are set in motion … electricity. 20. The new school building will be surrounded … a garden. 21. Who has this house been built … ?

Ex. 207. State where the combination to be +Participle II is a Simple Verbal Predicate and where it is a Compound Nominal Predicate:

1. This cottage is built of wood. Cottages are generally built of wood. 2. The door is shut, so we can’t come in. When the door is shut on the last visitor, the work is still continued in the museum. 3. These books are being sold out fast. This book is sold out. 4. This fence is painted every year. The fence is painted, don’t touch it. 5. The door of our flat is locked at 11 p.m. The door is locked, so nobody is in. 6. I don’t know who this play is written by. 7. This dress is made of silk. 8. This table is covered with green paper.

Ex. 208. Put questions to the underlined words:

1. Fifty students were admitted to the faculty last August. 2. I have been woken up by the noise in the street. 3. He was given a form to fill in. 4. The tea will be served till 5 because of the conference. 5. She was greeted very warmly. 6. Two men were arrested after the robbery. 7. My colleague will be sent to London to lecture on Russian history.8. Wait a little, your papers are being looked through. 9. French is spoken in France and Canada. 10. This television program is watched mostly by teenagers. 11. The car is being repaired at the moment. 12. The windows were being cleaned while I was there. 13. All her affairs will have been settled before she gets married. 14. He said that detailed instructions had been given.

Ex. 209. Put the verbs in brackets into the appropriate forms of the Passive Voice:

A. 1. The printing press (to invent) in the fifteenth century. 2. Last night I (to invite) to a party by a friend from Scotland. 3. Spain and Portugal (to visit) by millions of tourists every year. 4. These strawberries are fresh; they (to pick) yesterday. 5. The menu in that restaurant (to change) every month. 6. The results of the examination (to know) tomorrow. 7. Today rugby football (to play) in many countries. 8. Bicycles must not (to leave) in the hall. 9. He (to operate on) next week. 10. I’m not wearing my black shoes today. They (to mend). 11. This room (to use) only on special occasions. 12. It was a lonely road, and the girl was afraid; she thought she (to follow). 13. This street (to sweep) now. 14. This room (not to use) for ages. 15. Dictionaries may not (to use) at the examination. 16. The question just (to discuss). 17. Switch on the radio. A very good concert (to broadcast) now. 18. She (to take) to hospital tomorrow. 19. Everything (to do) before we came. 20. The last student (to examine) when I entered the room. 21. The book (to leave) in the classroom yesterday. 22. Thousands of new houses (to build) every year. 23. This station (to construct) by next year.

B. 1. This piece of music (to know) to me. But it never (to play) so wonderfully. 2. When I came into the cinema, a new film (to show). I was sorry that I (not, to tell) about the show before and was late for the beginning as the end impressed me greatly. 3. It is raining and football (not to play). 4. The mother (to tell) not to worry about the sick boy. He (to examine) soon by the doctor. 5. When you come here in summer, their house (to repair). 6. It’s a very good class. It (to teach) by Mr. Smith. 7. I (to introduce) to him last week but I am afraid I shall not recognize him if I meet him again. 8. This book (to speak) about for two months. 9. I wonder what (to build) here? 10. The letter (to post) four days ago. 11. What will you do if you (not to meet) at the station? 12. Don’t come into the compartment; the berth (to fix) now. 13. The first draft resolution (not, to discuss) yesterday; it (to withdraw) long before the beginning of the meeting. 14. He is not in town; he (to send) on a special mission. 15. A new underground line (to construct) now. They say one of its stations (to build) in my street. 16. It was three o’clock. We (to tell) to hurry because we (to wait). 17. His pen (not to make use of) yet. 18. Do you believe that such a problem can (to solve)? 19. It must (to do) without delays. 20. By the time he arrives everything (to settle). 21. His presence seldom (to take notice of). 22. The plan (to approve)? - No, it (to discuss) now. - How long it (to discuss)? 23. The money (to lend) to him two months ago, but it (not to give) back yet. 24. English pronunciation always (to pay attention to). 25. When dirty streets (to lose sight of) he sighed with relief. 26. This tradition must (to keep) in Great Britain since medieval times. 27. By now the news must (to spread) all over the city. 28. He didn’t seem to be surprised when I told him about his promotion. He might (to tell) about it before. 29. This work ought to (to complete) yesterday.

Ex. 210. Translate the following sentences into English using the Passive Voice:

A. 1. Найважливiшi новини друкуються у ранкових газетах. 2. Нацiональна галерея у Лондонi була побудована у 1838 роцi. 3. Рiшення прийнято. Нiчого вже не можна змiнити. 4. Вам допоможуть через п’ять хвилин. 5. Такi запитання на вступних iспитах не ставлять. 6. Послухай! Грають якусь дуже знайому мелодiю! 7. Вiн вiдчув, що за ним хтось iде. 8. Дiти пiшли спати лише пiсля того, як ялинку було прикрашено. 9. За що його критикують? – Його лекцiї нiхто не слухає. 10. Цю iнформацiю треба запам’ятати. 11. Усi пiдручники було спродано до початку навчального року. 12. Речi вже упаковано? - Так, валiзи вже готовi, а сумку зараз пакують. 13. Це мiсто було засноване в XI столiттi. 14. Багато смачних страв готують з овочiв та фруктiв.

В. 1. Не заходьте до залу, його провiтрюють. 2. Коли ми повернулися, речi вже були складенi. 3. Пошту вже принесли. 4. До вашого приходу стiл буде накритий. 5. Бiлизну прали, коли хтось постукав у двері. 6. На усi вашi запитання будуть вiдповiдi пiсля лекцiї. 7. Про умови контракту домовилися, i вiн був пiдписаний. 8. Вони стояли й махали рукою, доки автомобiль не зник з очей. 9. Дiтям розповiдають зараз вечiрню казку. 10. Вчора усiм учасникам конференцiї були врученi копiї цiєї декларації. 11. На його книги посилаються усi лiнгвісти. 12. На цьому тижнi йому запропонували цiкаву роботу. 13. Вам не доведеться чекати. Коли ви прийдете, усi документи будуть перевiренi, а листи надрукованi. 14. Лист друкували, коли я увiйшов. 15. Квитки вже були замовленi, коли вiн подзвонив. 16. Завтра йому повiдомлять про цi новини. 17. Це питання можна відкласти до наступної наради. 18. На таких дівчат часто звертають увагу. 19. Проблемам викладання іноземних мов було приділено багато уваги на останнiй конференції. 20. У нашiй країнi завжди пiклуються про ветеранiв вiйни. 21. На цього студента можна покластися. 22. Проти його пропозиції нiхто не заперечував. 23. Мабуть, ця стаття була прочитана ще вчора. 24. Невже цi списки було змiнено на тому тижнi? 25. Вашу машину слiд було вiдремонтувати перед подорожжю, але тепер вже пiзно про це говорити. 26. Це велика колекцiя. Мабуть, її збирають вже давно. 27. Цю подiю слiд було прокоментувати ще у вчорашньому випуску новин.

Ex. 211. Put the verbs in brackets into required tense and voice form:

A. 1. Nobody (to see) him yesterday. 2. The telegram (to receive) tomorrow. 3. He (to give) me this book next week. 4. The answer to this question can (to find) in the encyclopedia. 5. We already (to show) the historical monuments of the capital to the delegation. 6. Budapest (to divide) by the Danube into two parts: Buda and Pest. 7. Yuri Dolgoruki (to found) Moscow in 1147. 8. Moscow University (to found) by Lomonosov. 9. You can (to find) interesting information about the life in the USA in this book. 10. They (to repair) the clock now. 11. All the texts just (to look through). 12. The room (to clean) and (to air) now. 13. It was so dark, that the houses could (not to see). 14. I am sure I (to ask) at the lesson tomorrow. 15. The article (to publish) by next month. 16. We (to send) our daughter to rest in the south every year. 17. She (to watch) TV when I entered the room. 18. Your report must (to divide) into three parts. 19. We (to plant) all the trees by the middle of last autumn. 20. New children’s books (to sell) in that shop when I entered yesterday. 21. You may (to leave) your hat and coat in the cloak-room downstairs. 22. The trucks (to load) by three o’clock yesterday. 23. The key may (to leave) with the clerk downstairs. 24. Mushrooms (to gather) in autumn. 25. I (to give) a very interesting book at the library last Friday. 26. When I came home, they (to eat) the sweets.

B. 1. I (to look) for my gloves since morning. 2. The letter (to write) by a left-hander. I (to understand) it after I (to read) it several times. 3. When the teacher entered the classroom the students still (to translate) the text. 4. The expression of gratitude ( to follow) by a knock at the door. 5. The flowers (to water) by the time you come. 6. Many questions (to ask) and (to answer) before they got to the truth. 7. He must (to do) these exercises yesterday. 8. I (to introduce) to him last week but I am afraid I (not to recognize) him if I meet him again. 9. April Fool’s Day (to mark) for the last few years in Russia too. 10. This box ought to (to take) to the station two days ago. 11. Where your car usually (to repair)? 12. We (to visit) the palace many times. 13. How long the girl (to teach) music? 14. He (to wound) when he (to try) to stop the man attacking a young girl. 15. Some of them told me that the Browns (to move) to New York. 16. The children already (to put) to bed when I came home. 17. The suit-cases are ready. They must (to pack) yesterday. 18. Could he (to invite) to the party yesterday? 19. My parents (not to approve of) heavily made up girls. 20. His books (to refer to) by all those who work at this problem. 21. The elder brother (to send for) as soon as we knew that news. 22. What aspects of social life (to touch on) in his next interview? 23. While I’m away my mother (to look after) my children. 24. I can’t (to find) my key. It might (to lose). 25. I’m sure this declaration (to insist on). 26. Mary looks happy. She might (to pass) her exam well. 27. The article (to translate) now, it (to publish) as soon as they (to return) it. 28. He complains that he always (to find fault with). 29. Suddenly we (to lose sight of) the man who was going ahead of us. 30. This pen (not to make use of) yet. 31. Finally after we (to wait) for half an hour, salad, beefsteak and tea (to serve).