In which of the following sentences is the passive used appropriately? Which sentences should be changed to the active?
1) The number of marriages was decreased between 1999 and 2009.
2) First, the raw materials are mixed together.
3) The figure for residents with no children has been increased this year.
4) The final product is packaged and delivered to shops.
2 & 4 are sentences use passive appropriately, and the other two should be changed to active.
Posted by: Alex | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 09:23
In my opinion, 2&4 need use passive tense and the others should use active tense.
Posted by: thong | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 10:49
The first sentence should be changed.
Posted by: Ira | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 11:54
Hi Simon.This is sheshi from Hyderabad India.hope ur in ol.i have my exam on jan 12th.practicing to the core to get 7 band to apply for masters in canada.read ur previous sessions of almost from past 1 year.tel me the things which i have to do in these last 10 days .expecting a positive reply.
Posted by: shashi reddy | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 11:55
The number of marriages decreased between 1999 and 2009.
The figure for residents with no children has increased this year.
Posted by: Natasha | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 12:16
Suggested reading on the PASSIVE vs. ACTIVE voice: http://writing.umn.edu/sws/quicktips/style_grammar/activepassive.htm
Posted by: Martin | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 17:17
In my opinion, 1 and 4 sentences'd be changed.
Posted by: trami | Thursday, January 03, 2013 at 18:42
2 and 4 sentences used passive appropriately.
1 and 3 sentences should be change to active.
Here is my suggestions:
1. The number of marriages decreased between 1999 and 2009.
3. The number of residents with no children increased this year.
Posted by: Icarus | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 01:11
i think 2&4
Posted by: HOBI | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 01:22
Hi teacher Simon
I'd like to ask you about it would be fine to give a too personal example in the body paragraph of an essay like this "For example, I work extremely hard, so I do not have time to do ......" ?
Thanks a lot !
Posted by: Long | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 02:17
I think it is 3&4.
Posted by: Saru | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 02:53
1 & 3 Should be changed active...
Posted by: daehee | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 04:26
In statements 2&4, the passive form of the verbs were used correctly, while the verbs in sentences 1&3 should be converted into active form.
Here are my revised sentences for 1&3 with the active forms of the verb:
1) The number of marriages decreased between 1999 and 2009.
3) The figure for residents with no children increased this year.
Posted by: hitherto | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 04:33
Hi,
This was such a good exercise for the upcoming IELTS exam. By the way, on my own opinion, 1 and 4 sentences must be changed. TheIELTSSolution.com
Thank you.
Posted by: TheIELTSSolution.com | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 04:49
Hi simon,
I think 2&4 are correct.The first one should be changed.
But I am not sure about the third one, it seems wrong.
Posted by: lewis | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 13:08
FROM SIMON:
1 and 3 need to be changed:
1. The number of marriages decreased between 1999 and 2009. (not 'was decreased')
3. The figure for residents with no children has increased this year. (not 'has been increased')
The passive is used correctly in sentences 2 and 4 because they describe steps in a process.
Posted by: Simon | Friday, January 04, 2013 at 18:54
Thanks Simon
Im feeling very sorry that I found your site very late when my test is just around the corner.
Posted by: Saima | Tuesday, January 08, 2013 at 05:59
1 & 3 should be changed to active
Posted by: hoang | Wednesday, January 09, 2013 at 00:34