G5: Verbs V: Passive 2

G5: Verb Tenses VI - Passive from direct and indirect objects, and "by"

by Tom Rohrbach

Multiple Choice Quiz

If the active sentence includes two objects - direct and indirect - we can make two different passive sentences from it: we can use the direct object as the new subject ("flowers"), or we can use the indirect object as the new subject ("the teacher").

When we make a passive sentence, we also have to think about the "by" phrase.
If it's important to show who did something, we keep the "by" phrase. On the other hand, if the original sentence uses a vague word like "someone" or "a company", we omit the "by" phrase in the passive version.

My grandparents gave me some money when I graduated from high school.
USE THE DIRECT OBJECT (D.O.)TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. Some money was given to me by my grandparents when I graduated from high school.
2. I was given some money by my grandparents when I graduated from high school.
3. Some money was given to me when I graduated from high school.
My wife’s new employer offered her a car so she can save time commuting to her new job.
USE THE INDIRECT OBJECT (I.O.) TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. My wife was offered a new car so she can save time commuting to her new job.
2. My wife was offered a new car by her new employer so she can save time commuting to her new job.
3. A new car was offered to my wife by her new employer so she can save time commuting to her new job.
Someone sent Smith Industries a package meant for Smythe Industries by mistake.
USE THE DIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. By mistake, Smith Industries was sent a package meant for Smythe Industries.
2. By mistake, a package meant for Smythe Industries was sent to Smith Industries.
3. By mistake, a package meant for Smythe Industries was sent to Smith Industries by someone.
In the movie “Woman of the Year”, the new wife cooked her husband dinner, with terrible results.
USE THE INDIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. In the movie “Woman of the Year”, the husband was cooked dinner, with terrible results.
2. In the movie “Woman of the Year”, dinner was cooked by his wife, with terrible results.
3. In the movie “Woman of the Year”, the husband was cooked dinner by his new wife, with terrible results.
Ken bought his new girlfriend flowers on Valentine’s Day.
USE THE DIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. Flowers were bought by Ken for his new girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.
2. His new girlfriend was bought by Ken flowers on Valentine's Day.
3. Flowers were bought for Ken's new girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.
Somebody sold me an old car for $500.
USE THE INDIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. I was sold an old car for $500 by somebody.
2. An old car was sold me for $500.
3. I was sold an old car for $500.
Pat found me a replacement laptop charger on eBay for only $10.
USE THE DIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. I was found a replacement laptop charger by Pat on eBay for only $10.
2. A replacement laptop charger was found for me by Pat on eBay for only $10.
3. A replacement laptop charger was found on eBay for only $10.
Kim and Khloe booked their parents a month-long cruise in the Mediterranean for their 30th wedding anniversary.
USE THE INDIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. Their parents were booked a month-long cruise in the Mediterranean by their daughters for their 30th wedding anniversary.
2. A month-long cruise in the Mediterranean was booked by their daughters for their 30th wedding anniversary.
3. Kim and Khloe’s parents were booked a month-long cruise in the Mediterranean by their daughters for their 30th wedding anniversary.
They served us chicken and salmon at the wedding reception yesterday.
USE THE INDIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. We were served chicken and salmon at the wedding reception yesterday.
2. We were served chicken and were served salmon at the wedding reception yesterday.
3. Chicken and salmon were served at the wedding reception yesterday.
Sally made her mother an appointment at a no-pain dentist.
USE THE DIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. An appointment at a no-pain dentist was made for her mother by Sally.
2. Sally's mother was made an appointment at a no-pain dentist.
3. An appointment at a no-pain dentist was made for Sally's mother.
The coupons I used at the supermarket last night saved me over $30.
USE THE INDIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. Over $30 was saved by me by the coupons I used at the supermarket last night.
2. I was saved over $30 last night at the supermarket.
3. I was saved over $30 by the coupons I used last night at the supermarket.
My dog brought me my slippers when I sat down in the recliner.
USE THE DIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. I was brought my slippers by my dog when I sat down in the recliner.
2. My slippers were brought to me by my dog when I sat down in the recliner.
3. My slippers were brought to me when I sat down in the recliner.
Servants poured the guests drinks at the exclusive Hollywood party.
USE THE INDIRECT OBJECT TO MAKE A PASSIVE SENTENCE.
1. The guests at the exclusive Hollywood party were poured drinks.
2. Drinks were poured for the guests at the exclusive Hollywood party.
3. The guests at the exclusive Hollywood party were poured drinks by servants.