Mastering English Grammar: Passive Voice and Vocabulary

Grammar and Vocabulary Corrections

Section 1: Chimpanzee Facts

1) This is a chimpanzee which is called “Bubbles.” It is owned by Michael Jackson. It is kept in his home. It is fed every day by Michael Jackson himself. It is dressed in funny clothes. It is said that “Bubbles” is Michael Jackson’s only friend.

Section 2: Burglary Incident Report

2) Two men were seen breaking into a house in my street last night. The police were called and they arrived very quickly. One man was caught immediately. The other escaped, but he was found very soon. Both were questioned by a police officer. The two men were charged with burglary.

Section 3: Active to Passive Voice Transformations

Examples of Passive Voice Conversion:

• The gardener has planted some trees = Some trees were planted by the gardener.
• Doctor Brown will give you some advice = You will be given some advice by Doctor Brown / Some advice will be given to you by Doctor Brown.
• A famous designer will redecorate the hotel = The hotel will be redecorated by a famous designer.
• Steven directed E.T. = E.T. was directed by Steven.
• Someone has broken the crystal vase = The crystal vase has been broken.
• Fleming discovered penicillin = Penicillin was discovered by Fleming.
• They will advertise the product on TV = The product will be advertised on TV.
• Someone is remaking that film = That film is being remade.
• Columbus discovered America = America was discovered by Columbus.
• We keep money in a safe = Money is kept in a safe.
• They speak Italian in Italy = Italian is spoken in Italy.
• They have taken his aunt to hospital = His aunt has been taken to hospital.
• The boys damaged the television = The television was damaged by the boys.

Rule for Passive Voice:

Passive: be + past participle (The form of 'be' is put into the tense of the verb in the active sentence).

Section 4: Vocabulary Check and Definitions

Word Definitions:

• Familiar: Well known to you; easy to recognize.
• Maturity: Sensible, adult behaviour or attitude.
• Permit: An official document that gives you permission to do something.
• Spot: See or notice (informal).
• Motto: A short sentence or phrase that expresses your aims or beliefs.
• Donation: Money that is given to a charity to help people or animals in need.
• Tragically: Very sadly.
• Trespass: Go onto someone’s land or property without permission.

Section 5: Vocabulary in Context

Sentences Using New Vocabulary:

• Our school motto is: “Dream. Believe. Succeed.”
• It’s a private car park. You have to have a permit to park there.
• This part of the city isn’t familiar. I have no idea where I am.
• You shouldn’t be here. This is private property and it’s illegal to trespass.
• Can you spot Tanya? No, I can’t. It’s so crowded in here.
• So, teenagers have the maturity to decide what job they’d like to do in the future?

Section 6: More Passive Voice Examples

Indirect Object as Subject:

• They promised Robert an interview for the job = Robert was promised an interview for the job / An interview was promised to Robert.
• They showed Sarah the photograph = Sarah was shown the photograph / The photograph was shown to Sarah.
• They pay me my salary every month = I am paid my salary every month / My salary is paid to me every month.