PASSIVE VOICE (SIMPLE PRESENT) EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
✓ Useful for TOEIC
The passive voice in the simple present uses the structure am/is/are + past participle. It shifts focus from who does the action to what receives it. This is especially useful when the agent (the person doing the action) is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from context. This is exercise 1 of 2 in this series.
Grammar review
The passive voice (simple present) — structure and purpose
In the active voice, the subject performs the action. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action. The focus shifts from who does it to what happens.
Structure: am / is / are + past participle
• Singular subjects → is + past participle
• Plural subjects → are + past participle
• I → am + past participle
Examples:
Active: The chef cooks the meal every day.
Passive: The meal is cooked every day.
Active: People speak English all over the world.
Passive: English is spoken all over the world.
When do we use the passive?
• When the doer of the action is unknown: “The windows are cleaned twice a week.”
• When the doer is obvious or unimportant: “The cars are washed every morning.”
• In formal or scientific writing, to sound more objective.
• When the receiver of the action is more important than the doer.
Adding the agent (by + noun):
If you want to mention who performs the action, add by + noun at the end:
“The report is written by the manager.”
In the active voice, the subject performs the action. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action. The focus shifts from who does it to what happens.
Structure: am / is / are + past participle
• Singular subjects → is + past participle
• Plural subjects → are + past participle
• I → am + past participle
Examples:
Active: The chef cooks the meal every day.
Passive: The meal is cooked every day.
Active: People speak English all over the world.
Passive: English is spoken all over the world.
When do we use the passive?
• When the doer of the action is unknown: “The windows are cleaned twice a week.”
• When the doer is obvious or unimportant: “The cars are washed every morning.”
• In formal or scientific writing, to sound more objective.
• When the receiver of the action is more important than the doer.
Adding the agent (by + noun):
If you want to mention who performs the action, add by + noun at the end:
“The report is written by the manager.”
1.
Thomas washes the dishes. → The dishes ✓ by Thomas.
Correct: are washed
2.
Frank feeds the dogs. → The dogs ✓ by Frank.
Correct: are fed
3.
Maria prepares the food. → The food ✓ by Maria.
Correct: is prepared
4.
David cleans the stove. → The stove ✓ by David.
Correct: is cleaned
5.
My father pays the bills. → The bills ✓ by my father.
Correct: are paid
6.
The gardener trims the bushes. → The bushes ✓ by the gardener.
Correct: are trimmed
7.
Helen sets the table. → The table ✓ by Helen.
Correct: is set
8.
My mother waters the plants. → The plants ✓ by my mother.
Correct: are watered
9.
Arthur does the laundry. → The laundry ✓ by Arthur.
Correct: is done
10.
My uncle drives us to school. → We ✓ to school by my uncle.
Correct: are driven
11.
Robert takes out the garbage. → The garbage ✓ by Robert.
Correct: is taken out
12.
Amelia sweeps the hallways. → The hallways ✓ by Amelia.
Correct: are swept
13.
David irons the clothes. → The clothes ✓ by David.
Correct: are ironed
14.
George wipes the counters. → The counters ✓ by George.
Correct: are wiped
15.
Fiona cleans the refrigerator. → The refrigerator ✓ by Fiona.
Correct: is cleaned
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Passive voice is essential for formal and academic English — these exercises cover every tense and variation.
More passive voice exercises:
Passive voice (simple present) 2 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (simple past) 1 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (mixed) 3 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (mixed) 1 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (mixed) 2 (B1/B2)
Related causative form exercises:
Causative form (passive) 1 (B1/B2)
Causative form (passive) 2 (B1/B2)
Causative form (active & passive) 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Passive voice is essential for formal and academic English — these exercises cover every tense and variation.
More passive voice exercises:
Passive voice (simple present) 2 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (simple past) 1 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (mixed) 3 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (mixed) 1 (B1/B2)
Passive voice (mixed) 2 (B1/B2)
Related causative form exercises:
Causative form (passive) 1 (B1/B2)
Causative form (passive) 2 (B1/B2)
Causative form (active & passive) 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
