THE PASSIVE

The Passive
Active and passive sentences often have similar meanings, but a different focus.
Passive sentences move the focus from the subject to the object of active sentences.
FORM:

SUBJECT + BE + _______________ (+ BY) + AGENT

(the previous object)
(the doer of the verb person that does)
Intransitive or transitive?
If the verb does not take an object in the
sentence then it is intransitive and it is not
possible to form the passive.

How to change from active to passive:

Make the object the new subject of the sentence.

Active
100 million people read the Readers Digest.
(subject)
(object)

Are the examples transitive or intransitive?

He slept for two hours. (no object intransitive)

Passive
The Readers Digest is read by 100 million people.
(subject)
(agent)

Where did it go? (________________________)

She ate a cake.(__________________________)
They went to the office. (___________________)

Circle the correct word below:

The passive is used in more informal/formal contexts
No agent
DO NOT mention the agent if it is unnecessary
if the agent is obvious, unknown or unimportant.
The windows were repaired by someone.

Agent
MENTION the agent if it adds important
or surprising information.
Classes are taught by native teachers.

Classes are taught in the evenings by teachers.

This was written by a three-year old!

Match the rules with the correct example sentences.

The passive is used when the agent (the doer of the verb) is:

not important
unknown
obvious
not as important as the object

_____
_____
_____
_____

a. My car has been stolen. (by someone)

b. The bridge was built in 1986. (by builders)
c. The Mona Lisa was painted by Da Vinci.
d. He was fined for speeding. (by traffic police)
e. English is taught at the ICPNA. (by teachers)
f. The room was cleaned today. (by cleaners)

Note: Sometimes a letter can go next to more than one.

DISCOVER THE GRAMMAR

Read the sentences and decide if they are
active (A) or passive (P)

___ 1. Readers Digest was founded in 1922.

___ 2. It was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace.
___ 3. Millions of people read it.

1.

People mine gold in the north.

___Gold is mined in the north___________

2.

He left home early.

___________________________________

3.

She ate two biscuits.

___________________________________

4.

My friend bought a dog.

___________________________________

5.

Something strange happened to me.

___________________________________

6.

Someone stole my watch.

___________________________________

7.

We need two chefs for our restaurant.

___ 4. It is translated into many other languages.

___ 5. A large-type edition is also printed.
___ 6. It is also recorded.
___ 7. Proofreaders are hired to correct mistakes.
___ 8. They look for mistakes in spelling and grammar.
___ 9. Readers Digest is sold at newsstands.
___ 10. It is published once a month.
___ 11. I bought a copy last week.
___ 12. Many articles are condensed from other sources.

Identify the subject, verb and object if there is

one.
Change transitive sentences to the passive.
Eliminate the agent where not necessary.
s
v
o

___________________________________
For which sentences is the passive appropriate?

PRACTICE
Circle the sentence you find more natural, active or passive?
Active

Passive

Hes eating a cake.

A cake is being eaten by him.

A/P

They built the cathedral in 1885.

The cathedral was built in 1885.

A/P

Farmers grow corn in the West.

Corn is grown in the West.

A/P

My friend grew corn.

Corn was grown by my friend.

A/P

MATCHING
With a partner make passive sentences with the phrases and words below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

English
rice
gold and diamonds
145 McDonalds hamburgers
many TVs and videos

mine
speak
sell
grow
make

in the world every second.

in Japan and Korea.
in fields full of water.
by about 1.5 billion people.
in South Africa.

PRACTICE
Jill Jones is writing an article about Bolivia. Use the passive form of the verbs in parentheses and
short answers to complete her interview with a Bolivian cultural attach.
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:

JONES:

ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:

ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:

JONES:
ATTACH:

Im writing an article about Bolivia, and Id like to check my information.

Certainly. How can I help you?
First, Id like to find out about the early history of Bolivia. (1)__Was___ the area first
___inhabited___ by the Inca?
(2) ____________________. There was a great civilization on the shores of Lake
Titicaca long before the Inca flourished. That civilization ________ probably (3)
_______________ (create) by ancestors of the Aymara, who still live in Bolivia.
Thats fascinating. Changing the topic, though, let me ask about the agriculture of
your country. I know potatoes are an important crop in the mountains.
(4)____________ corn _________________ (grow) in the Andes as well?
No, it isnt. The climate is too cold and dry. But quinoa is. Quinoa is
a traditional grain that grows well in the mountains.
Quinoa? How (5) ____________ that ______________ (spell), with a k?
No, with a q q-u-i-n-o-a.
OK. Thanks. Now, I know our readers will want to read about llamas. How
(6)_____________ they ________________ (use)?
They have many uses fur, meat, transportation. But only in the highlands.
Really? Why (7) ________ they ________________ (raise) there and not in
the lowlands?
Theyre suited to the mountain climate and terrain. They dont do well in the
lowlands.
I see. I understand that tin is an important resource. Where (8) _____________
it _______________ (mine)?
The richest deposits are in the Andes.
Lets talk about some other resources. How about the eastern part of the country
the Oriente. What crops (9) _____________________ (grow) there?
The most important crop is rice. We also raise cattle there.
Are there any other natural resources in the lowlands?
Yes. Oil. Petroleum (10) ___________________ (find) there.
OK, Lets talk about languages for a moment. I know that Spanish is the official
language of Bolivia. But (11)________ there any other languages __________
(speak)?
(Actually, more people speak Native American languages
than Spanish especially Quechua and Aymara.
Ive heard that naturalists love to visit Bolivia. (12) ___________ condors still
______________ (see) in the mountains?
(13) ______________ . They live in the highest regions. And in the rain forests
there are a lot of fascinating animals parrots, boa constrictors, jaguars many,
many species.
Well, thank you very much. Youve been really helpful. By the way, Im planning to
visit La Paz next month. Ive heard that Bolivian textiles are very beautiful.
Yes, thats true. They (14) ___________ still ___________ (make) by hand.
And be sure to listen to some traditional music, too.

Questions in the passive

In questions in the passive, we invert the subject and verb be (but not the past participle).
Potatoes are grown in the highlands

Make passive questions

Where/grow/potatoes/?
______________________________

Are potatoes grown in the highlands

Where/cars/manufacture?
______________________________

Complete with subject, be and past participle

FORM:

__(Question word) + _________ + __________ + ___________

PRACTICE
Change the active to the passive.
1. Shakespeare wrote that play.

That play was written by Shakespeare.____

2. Bill will invite Ann to the party.

___________________________________

3. Alex is preparing that report.

___________________________________

4. Waitresses and waiters serve customers.

___________________________________

5. The teacher is going to explain the lesson.

___________________________________

6. Shirley has suggested a new idea.

___________________________________

7. Two horses were pulling the farmers wagon.

___________________________________

8. Kathy has returned the book to the library.

___________________________________

9. By this time tomorrow, the president will

___________________________________

have made the announcement.

___________________________________

10. I didnt write the note. Jim wrote it.

___________________________________

11. Alice didnt make that pie.

___________________________________

Did Mrs. French make it?

___________________________________

12. Does Professor Jackson teach that course?

___________________________________

I know that Professor Adams doesnt teach it.

___________________________________

13. Mrs. Andrews hasnt signed those papers yet.

___________________________________

Has Mr. Andrews signed them yet?

___________________________________

14. Is Mr. Brown painting your house?

___________________________________

15. His tricks wont fool me.

___________________________________

THINK ABOUT GRAMMAR

A. Are the sentences below better in the active or the passive?
Also, are they transitive or intransitive (no object so cannot be changed to the passive) .

Example:

They have caught the bank robber.

better in the A/P. (why?)

Jim has made a cake.

better in the A/P. (why?)

Better in the

1. Were going to buy beer for the party.

A/P

Intrans/trans

2. They should ban car drivers from beeping

their horns unnecessarily.

A/P

Intrans/trans

3. Traffic police should fine these drivers for beeping.

A/P

Intrans/trans

4. El Cultural will publish the results on Saturday.

A/P

Intrans/trans

5.

My friend has given me a dog.

A/P

Intrans/trans

6.

Someone is cleaning the classroom.

A/P

Intrans/trans

7.

He left the office.

A/P

Intrans/trans

8.

People grow potatoes in the highlands.

A/P

Intrans/trans

9.

People need jobs.

A/P

Intrans/trans

10. I dont like them making fun of me. (people in general)

A/P

Intrans/trans

11. They will send you a letter on Sunday.

A/P

Intrans/trans

12. They have seen a dangerous criminal in the neighborhood.

A/P

Intrans/trans

13. She felt very happy.

A/P

Intrans/trans

14. I like people to give me responsibility.

A/P

Intrans/trans

PASSIVE TENSES AND ACTIVE EQUIVALENTS

Notice that the tense of the verb to be in the passive voice is the same as the tense of the main
verb in the active voice.
Example: to keep

TENSE / VERB FORM

ACTIVE VOICE

PASSIVE VOICE

Simple present

keeps

is kept

Present continuous

is keeping

is being kept

Simple past

kept

was kept

Past continuous

was keeping

was being kept

Present perfect

have kept

have been kept

Past perfect

had kept

had been kept

Future

will keep

will be kept

Conditional present

would keep

would be kept

Conditional past

would have kept

would have been kept

present infinitive

to keep

to be kept

perfect infinitive

to have kept

to have been kept

present participle/gerund

keeping

being kept

perfect participle

having kept

having been kept

Example sentences:
Active: I keep the butter in the fridge.
Passive: The butter is kept in the fridge.
Active: They stole the painting.
Passive: The painting was stolen.
Active: They are repairing the road.
Passive: The road is being repaired.
Active: Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.
Passive: Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.
Active: A dog bit him.
Passive: He was bitten by a dog

The Passive Voice Exercise

A shark has eaten the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister has been eaten by a shark
Change the sentences from the active to the passive.
They grow coffee in Kenya.
1 ______________________________________________________ .
They publish The Times newspaper in London.
2 ______________________________________________________ .
They make shoes in Calatayud.
3 ______________________________________________________ .
They transport oranges from Valencia to Germany in special crates.
4 ______________________________________________________ .
They are sending the parcel by sea.
5 ______________________________________________________ .
They are destroying the forests in Indonesia.
6 ______________________________________________________ .
The shark ate the man.
7 ______________________________________________________ .
The arsonist started the fire.
8 ______________________________________________________ .
The police took him away.
9 ______________________________________________________ .
They've treated him very well.
10 ______________________________________________________ .
They haven't cleaned the kitchen yet.
11 ______________________________________________________ .
They didn't punish him for what he did.
12 ______________________________________________________ .

The Passive Voice in Questions Exercise

Change the sentences from the active to the passive.
1

Did they catch the thief?

______________________________________________________

Will the King inaugurate the new bridge?

______________________________________________________

Do they make cars in Korea?

______________________________________________________

Do the hounds kill the fox?

______________________________________________________

Did the bull kill the matador?

______________________________________________________

Have the police found the body?

______________________________________________________

Why has the government banned the film?

______________________________________________________

When did they hijack the plane?

______________________________________________________

How did your host family treat you?

______________________________________________________

10

What caused the accident?

______________________________________________________

11

Has anyone cleaned the oven yet?

______________________________________________________

12

Is a doctor going to examine you?

______________________________________________________

Active and Passive Voice Exercises

Change the following from passive to active voice.
1. The poem was read aloud by Margaret.
___________________________________________________________________________
2. The Yankees were beaten by the Tigers in the playoffs.
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Her personal computer was given to Edith by her parents.
___________________________________________________________________________
4. The turnoff for Route 287 was finally reached by Carla.
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Many letters have been sent by me to your office.
___________________________________________________________________________
6. Kim was invited to a party by Raymund.
___________________________________________________________________________
7. The truth was suddenly realized by the contestants.
___________________________________________________________________________
8. The computers were shipped by the Tucson branch on Monday.
___________________________________________________________________________
9. Projects were judged by the teachers.
___________________________________________________________________________
10. A brilliant performance was given by the choir.
___________________________________________________________________________
11. Adam and Joanne were married by the priest.
___________________________________________________________________________
12. The test was taken by Amanda last week.
___________________________________________________________________________
13. The truck was broken by little Tommy while he played.
___________________________________________________________________________
14. The National Enquirer was sued by a famous actor for publishing a scandalous photo.
___________________________________________________________________________
15. The movie was seen by the class before the exam.
___________________________________________________________________________

The Passive Voice Exercise Answers

1 Coffee is grown in Kenya.

2 The Times newspaper is published in London.
3 Shoes are made in Calatayud.
4 Oranges are transported from Valencia to Germany in special crates.
5 The parcel is being sent by sea.
6 The forests of Indonesia are being destroyed.
7 The man was eaten by the shark.
8 The fire was started by the arsonist.
9 He was taken away by the police.
10 He's been treated very well.
11 The kitchen hasn't been cleaned yet.
12 He wasn't punished for what he did.

The Passive Voice in Questions Exercise Answers

Did they catch the thief?

Was the thief caught?

Will the King inaugurate the new bridge?

Will the new bridge be inaugurated by the King?

Do they make cars in Korea?

Are cars made in Korea?

Do the hounds kill the fox?

Is the fox killed by the hounds?

Did the bull kill the matador?

Was the matador killed by the bull?

Have the police found the body?

Has the body been found by the police?

Why has the government banned the film?

Why has the film been banned by the government?

When did they hijack the plane?

When was the plane hijacked?

How did your host family treat you?

How were you treated by the host family?

10

What caused the accident?

What was the accident caused by?

11

Has anyone cleaned the oven yet?

Has the oven been cleaned yet?

12

Is a doctor going to examine you?

Are you going to be examined by a doctor?

Active and Passive Voice Exercises

Change the following from passive to active voice.
1. Margaret read the poem aloud.
2. The Tigers beat the Yankees in the playoffs.
3. Ediths parents gave her a personal computer.
4. Carla finally reached the turnoff for Route 287.
5. Ive sent many letters to your office.
6. Raymund invited Kim to a party.
7. The contestants suddenly realized truth.
8. The Tucson branch shipped the computers on Monday.
9. The teachers judged the projects.
10. The choir gave a brilliant performance.
11. The priest married Adam and Joanne.
12. Amanda took the test last week.
13. Little Tommy broke the truck while he played.
14. A famous actor sued the National Enquirer for publishing a scandalous photo.
15. The class saw the movie before the exam.

THE PASSIVE
The Passive
Active and passive sentences often have similar meanings, but a different focus.
Passive sentences move the focus from the subject to the object of active sentences.
FORM:

SUBJECT + BE + Past Participle (+ BY) + AGENT

(the previous object)
(the doer of the verb person that does)
Intransitive or transitive?
If the verb does not take an object in the
sentence then it is intransitive and it is not
possible to form the passive.

How to change from active to passive:

Make the object the new subject of the sentence.

Active
100 million people read the Readers Digest.
(subject)
(object)

Are the examples transitive or intransitive?

He slept for two hours. (no object intransitive)

Passive
The Readers Digest is read by 100 million people.
(subject)
(agent)

Where did it go? (intransitive)

She ate a cake.(transitive)
They went to the office. (intransitive)

Circle the correct word below:

The passive is used in more informal/formal contexts
No agent
DO NOT mention the agent if it is unnecessary
if the agent is obvious, unknown or unimportant.
The windows were repaired by someone.

Agent
MENTION the agent if it adds important
or surprising information.
Classes are taught by native teachers.

Classes are taught in the evenings by teachers.

This was written by a three-year old!

Match the rules with the correct example sentences.

The passive is used when the agent (the doer of the verb) is:

not important
unknown
obvious
not as important as the object

b,f
a,b,f
d, e
c

a. My car has been stolen. (by someone)

b. The bridge was built in 1986. (by builders)
c. The Mona Lisa was painted by Da Vinci.
d. He was fined for speeding. (by traffic police)
e. English is taught at El Cultural. (by teachers)
f. The room was cleaned today. (by cleaners)

Note: Sometimes a letter can go next to more than one.

DISCOVER THE GRAMMAR

Read the sentences and decide if they are
active (A) or passive (P)

_P 1. Readers Digest was founded in 1922.

_P_ 2. It was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace.
_A_ 3. Millions of people read it.

1.

People mine gold in the north.

___Gold is mined in the north___________

2.

He left home early.

Intransitive

3.

She ate two biscuits.

Two biscuit were eaten by her.

4.

My friend bought a dog.

A dog was bought by my friend.

5.

Something strange happened to me.

Intransitive

6.

Someone stole my watch.

My watch was stolen.

7.

We need two chefs for our restaurant.

Two chefs are needed for our restaurant

_P_ 4. It is translated into many other languages.

_P_ 5. A large-type edition is also printed.
_P_ 6. It is also recorded.
_P_ 7. Proofreaders are hired to correct mistakes.
_A_ 8. They look for mistakes in spelling and grammar.
_P_ 9. Readers Digest is sold at newsstands.
_P_ 10. It is published once a month.
_A_ 11. I bought a copy last week.
_P_ 12. Many articles are condensed from other sources.

Identify the subject, verb and object if there is

one.
Change transitive sentences to the passive.
Eliminate the agent where not necessary.
s
v
o

For which sentences is the passive appropriate?

1, 6, 7

PRACTICE
Circle the sentence you find more natural, active or passive?
Active

Passive

Hes eating a cake.

A cake is being eaten by him.

A/P

They built the cathedral in 1885.

The cathedral was built in 1885.

A/P

Farmers grow corn in the West.

Corn is grown in the West.

A/P

My friend grew corn.

Corn was grown by my friend.

A/P

MATCHING
With a partner make passive sentences with the phrases and words below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

English
rice
gold and diamonds
145 McDonalds hamburgers
many TVs and videos

mine
speak
sell
grow
make

in the world every second.

in Japan and Korea.
in fields full of water.
by about 1.5 billion people.
in South Africa.

PRACTICE
Jill Jones is writing an article about Bolivia. Use the passive form of the verbs in parentheses and
short answers to complete her interview with a Bolivian cultural attach.
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:

JONES:

ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:
JONES:
ATTACH:

JONES:
ATTACH:

Im writing an article about Bolivia, and Id like to check my information.

Certainly. How can I help you?
First, Id like to find out about the early history of Bolivia. (1)__Was___ the area first
___inhabited___ by the Inca?
(2) Yes, it was. There was a great civilization on the shores of Lake Titicaca long
before the Inca flourished. That civilization was probably (3) created (create) by
ancestors of the Aymara, who still live in Bolivia.
Thats fascinating. Changing the topic, though, let me ask about the agriculture of
your country. I know potatoes are an important crop in the mountains.
(4)Is corn grown (grow) in the Andes as well?
No, it isnt. The climate is too cold and dry. But quinoa is. Quinoa is
a traditional grain that grows well in the mountains.
Quinoa? How (5) is that spelled (spell), with a k?
No, with a q q-u-i-n-o-a.
OK. Thanks. Now, I know our readers will want to read about llamas. How
(6)are they used (use)?
They have many uses fur, meat, transportation. But only in the highlands.
Really? Why (7) are they raised (raise) there and not in
the lowlands?
Theyre suited to the mountain climate and terrain. They dont do well in the
lowlands.
I see. I understand that tin is an important resource. Where (8) is
it mined (mine)?
The richest deposits are in the Andes.
Lets talk about some other resources. How about the eastern part of the country
the Oriente. What crops (9) are grown (grow) there?
The most important crop is rice. We also raise cattle there.
Are there any other natural resources in the lowlands?
Yes. Oil. Petroleum (10) is found (find) there.
OK, Lets talk about languages for a moment. I know that Spanish is the official
language of Bolivia. But (11) are there any other languages spoken (speak)?
(Actually, more people speak Native American languages
than Spanish especially Quechua and Aymara.
Ive heard that naturalists love to visit Bolivia. (12) Are condors still
seen (see) in the mountains?
(13) Yes, they are. They live in the highest regions. And in the rain forests
there are a lot of fascinating animals parrots, boa constrictors, jaguars many,
many species.
Well, thank you very much. Youve been really helpful. By the way, Im planning to
visit La Paz next month. Ive heard that Bolivian textiles are very beautiful.
Yes, thats true. They (14) are still made (make) by hand.
And be sure to listen to some traditional music, too.

Questions in the passive

In questions in the passive, we invert the subject and verb be (but not the past participle).
Potatoes are grown in the highlands

Make passive questions

Where/grow/potatoes/?
Where are potatoes grown?

Are potatoes grown in the highlands

Where/cars/manufacture?
Where are cars manufactured?

Complete with subject, be and past participle

FORM:

__(Question word) + ____BE_____ + __SUBJECT__+ PAST PARTICLE

PRACTICE
Change the active to the passive.
1. Shakespeare wrote that play.

That play was written by Shakespeare.____

2. Bill will invite Ann to the party.

Ann will be invited to the party by Bill.

3. Alex is preparing that report.

That report is being prepared by Alex.

4. Waitresses and waiters serve customers.

Customers are served by waitresses & waiters.

5. The teacher is going to explain the lesson.

The lesson is going to be explained by the teacher

6. Shirley has suggested a new idea.

A new idea has been suggested by Shirley.

7. Two horses were pulling the farmers wagon.

The farmers wagon was being pulled by 2 horses

8. Kathy has returned the book to the library.

The book has been returned to the library by Kathy

9. By this time tomorrow, the president will

By this time tomorrow, the announcement will

have made the announcement.

have been made by the president

10. I didnt write the note. Jim wrote it.

The note was written by Jim.

11. Alice didnt make that pie.

The pie was made by Mrs. French.

It wasnt made by Alice.

Did Mrs. French make it?

12. Does Professor Jackson teach that course?

Is that course taught by Prof. Jackson?

I know that Professor Adams doesnt teach it.

13. Mrs. Andrews hasnt signed those papers yet.

I know it is not taught by Prof. Adams.

Those papers havent been signed by Mrs..Andrews

Has Mr. Andrews signed them yet?

yet. Have they been signed by Mr. Andrews?

14. Is Mr. Brown painting your house?

Is your house being painted by Mr. Brown?

15. His tricks wont fool me.

I wont be fooled by his tricks.

THINK ABOUT GRAMMAR

A. Are the sentences below better in the active or the passive?
Also, are they transitive or intransitive (no object so cannot be changed to the passive) .

Example:

They have caught the bank robber.

better in the A/P. (why?)

Jim has made a cake.

better in the A/P. (why?)

Better in the

1. Were going to buy beer for the party.

A/P

Intrans/trans

2. They should ban car drivers from beeping

their horns unnecessarily.

A/P

Intrans/trans

3. Traffic police should fine these drivers for beeping.

A/P

Intrans/trans

4. El Cultural will publish the results on Saturday.

A/P

Intrans/trans

5.

My friend has given me a dog.

A/P

Intrans/trans

6.

Someone is cleaning the classroom.

A/P

Intrans/trans

7.

He left the office.

A/P

Intrans/trans

8.

People grow potatoes in the highlands.

A/P

Intrans/trans

9.

People need jobs.

A/P

Intrans/trans

10. I dont like them making fun of me. (people in general)

A/P

Intrans/trans

11. They will send you a letter on Sunday.

A/P

Intrans/trans

12. They have seen a dangerous criminal in the neighborhood.

A/P

Intrans/trans

13. She felt very happy.

A/P

Intrans/trans

14. I like people to give me responsibility.

A/P

Intrans/trans

PASSIVE TENSES AND ACTIVE EQUIVALENTS

Notice that the tense of the verb to be in the passive voice is the same as the tense of the main
verb in the active voice.
Example: to keep

TENSE / VERB FORM

ACTIVE VOICE

PASSIVE VOICE

Simple present

keeps

is kept

Present continuous

is keeping

is being kept

Simple past

kept

was kept

Past continuous

was keeping

was being kept

Present perfect

have kept

have been kept

Past perfect

had kept

had been kept

Future

will keep

will be kept

Conditional present

would keep

would be kept

Conditional past

would have kept

would have been kept

present infinitive

to keep

to be kept

perfect infinitive

to have kept

to have been kept

present participle/gerund

keeping

being kept

perfect participle

having kept

having been kept

Example sentences:
Active: I keep the butter in the fridge.
Passive: The butter is kept in the fridge.
Active: They stole the painting.
Passive: The painting was stolen.
Active: They are repairing the road.
Passive: The road is being repaired.
Active: Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.
Passive: Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.
Active: A dog bit him.
Passive: He was bitten by a dog