Passive Voice and Causative

Index

Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words. Put in commas where necessary.

1) Ann spoke very quietly because she didn't want to be heard by her mum.
AVOID

2) It's believed that he was the most handsome boy in the town.
BEEN

3) Someone stole his van while he was asleep.
HAD

4) What did they decorate the houses with?
DECORATED

5) A group of football hooligans attacked rival fans at a pub.
GOT

6) I'm going to ask the electrician to install the wiring.
HAVE

Test Answers!

ANSWERS 1: TO AVOID BEING HEARD
EXPLANATION
PASSIVE VOICE => AVOID + GERUND + PAST PARTICIPLE
More Examples:
She doesn't mind being compared to Madonna. DON'T MIND + GERUND + PAST PARTICIPLE
My children like being taken to the cinema. LIKE + GERUND + PAST PARTICIPLE

ANSWERS 2: IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN
EXPLANATION
PASSIVE VOICE => PERSONAL/IMPERSONAL
More Examples:
People say that he was a good student. => He is said to have been a good student.
People think that she is living in France. => She is thought to be living in France.

ANSWERS 3: HAD HIS VAN STOLEN
EXPLANATION
HAVE SOMETHING DONE (CAUSATIVE)
More Examples:
I had my house cleaned. V SUBJECT + HAD + OBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE
~~I had cleaned my house.~~ X

ANSWERS 4: WERE THE HOUSES DECORATED WITH
EXPLANATION
PASSIVE VOICE (QUESTION)
More Examples:
How many elements is this model composed of? QUESTION WORD + AUXILIARY + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE
Has the mystery been cleared up yet? AUXILIARY + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE

ANSWERS 5: GOT ATTACKED BY
EXPLANATION
GET + PAST PARTICIPLE
More Examples:
John got stuck in the mud. GOT + PAST PARTICIPLE (PAST SIMPLE)
The cake is getting frosted. IS GETTING + PAST PARTICIPLE (PRESENT CONTINUOUS)

ANSWERS 6: HAVE THE ELECTRICIAN INSTALL
EXPLANATION
HAVE + OBJECT + BARE INFINITIVE => ASK/GIVE SOMEONE ELSE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SOMETHING:
More Examples:
I'll have the secretary type the letters. V HAVE + OBJECT + BARE INFINITIVE
~~I'll have the secretary typed the letters.~~ X