STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION SKILL 37: USE CORRECT FORM OF THE PASSIVE

LONGMAN COMPLETE COURSE FOR THE TOEFL TEST

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

SKILL 37: USE CORRECT FORM OF THE PASSIVE

One way that the passive can be tested on the TOEFL test is simply with an incorrect form of the passive. The following are examples of passive errors that might appear on the TOEFL test.

The portrait was painting * by a famous artist.	The passive is formed incorrectly because the past participle painted should be used rather than the present participle painting.
The project will finish* by Tim.	The verb –be has not been included, and some form of be is necessary for passive verb. The verb in the second sentence should be will be finished.

The following chart outlines the way to form passive correctly:

EXERCISE 34: Each of the following sentences has passive meaning. Underline twice the verbs  that should be passive. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

……………	3	Money is leading by the credit union to those who want buy homes.
……………	4	The record had been chose by dancers near the jukebox.
……………	5	The topic for your research paper should have been approved by your advisor.
……………	6	That song has been playing over and over again by Steve.
……………	7	Their utility bills have been increased again and again.
……………	8	The patients who are too sick to sit up are being assisted by the orderlies.
……………	9	The offices were thoroughly clean last evening by the night crew.
……………	10	The car that was struck in the intersection yesterday is being repaired today.

ANSWER KEY

1	I	(be should be been)
2	C
3	I	(lending should be lent)
4	I	(chose should be chosen)
5	C
6	I	(paying should be played)
7	C
8	C
9	I	(clean should be cleaned)
10	C