Question

Change the following sentence into passive form

1. I told the hotel receptionist that I wanted her to wake me up at 6.30
2. They will probably translate her new book into a number of foreign languages
3.If you kicked a policeman, they would arrest you
4. The police are looking for the missing boy. They can’t find him anywhere
5.The injured man couldn’t walk. They had to carry him

Thank you very much

Answer 1

1. I told the hotel receptionist that I wanted to be woken up by her up at 6.30 (or) The hotel receptionist was told by me that I wanted to be woken up by her at 6:30.

2. Her new book will probably be translated into a number of foreign languages.

3. You would be arrested if you kicked a policeman.

4. The missing boy is being looked for by the police. He can't be found anywhere.

5.The injured man couldn’t walk (no change). He had to be carried.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The passive voice emphasizes the receiver of the action expressed by the verb. It transforms what is the object of the verb in the active voice into the subject of the new sentence. The subject of the active voice then becomes the agent of the passive voice, preceded by "by" and only mentioned when it is important.

• When transforming sentences from active to passive voice, the verb tense must not be changed. However, the auxiliary "to be" must added, always respecting the original tense. The main verb is then used in its past participle form.

For example:

- Jonathan sliced the onions. --> The onions were sliced by Jonathan.

• Notice that only sentences that have an object of the verb can be transformed into the passive voice. That is why, in number 5 above, "The injured man couldn't walk" cannot be transformed. The verb phrase "couldn't walk" has no object.