Mastering English Passive Voice and Collocations

Passive Voice Transformation Exercises

1. They make shoes in that factory.
   Shoes are made in that factory.
2. People must not leave bicycles in the driveway.
   Bicycles must not be left in the driveway.
3. They built that skyscraper in 1934.
   That skyscraper was built in 1934.
4. The students will finish the course by July.
   The course will be finished by July.
5. They are repairing the streets this month.
   The streets are being repaired this month.
6. They make these tools of plastic.
   These tools are made of plastic.
7. They have finished the new product design.
   The new product design has been finished.
8. They were cooking dinner when I arrived.
   Dinner was being cooked when I arrived.
9. Smithers painted 'Red Sunset' in 1986.
   'Red Sunset' was painted in 1986 by Smithers.
10. Did the plan interest you?
    Were you interested in the plan?

Common Collocations with 'Make'

Make: an enquiry, an offer, a request, money, an appointment, a complaint, a decision, a forecast, progress, an effort, sure, changes or improvements, a deal, an excuse, a profit or a loss, arrangements or plans, an apology, a choice, a mistake, a phone call, an attempt, a business trip, etc.

Advanced Passive Voice Practice

1. They had finished the preparations by the time the guests arrived.
   The preparations had been finished by the time the guests arrived.
2. You should take care when working on electrical equipment.
   Care should be taken when working on electrical equipment.
3. They are going to perform Beethoven's Fifth Symphony next weekend.
   Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is going to be performed next weekend.
4. Someone will speak Japanese at the meeting.
   Japanese will be spoken at the meeting.
5. Karen is going to prepare the refreshments.
   The refreshments are going to be prepared by Karen.

Modal Verbs: Present and Past

Common Collocations with 'Do'

Do: business, a (good or bad) job, an exercise, good, wrong, damage or harm, the accounts, an experiment, something for someone else, something for a living, some work, your duty, research, someone a favour, repairs, etc.