From Active to Passive in steps

1. Count the verbs
2. Now circle the objects in the sentence [lijdend vw OF meew vw]
3. Put one of these objects [meestal lijdend voorwerp] at the beginning of your
4. new sentence
5. Check the tense in the start sentence: is it past, present, future or other?
6. Choose a form of TO BE in the same tense as the start sentence
7. Add this form to the verbs from the start sentence
8. Check to see if it’s correct

Let’s do one, to get it right.

Start sentence: The dogs are pulling the sled.

Step 1: The dogs are pulling the sled.

Step 2: There are 2 verbs.

Step 3: Who or what are the dogs pulling? Answer: the sled

Step 4: The sled …

Step 5: The sentence is in the present continuous

Step 6: I need to add a form of To Be in between are pulling -> BE but changed!

Step 7: The sled is being pulled by the dogs.

This was slightly harder as it was a sentence with a present continuous in it. The form of To Be is BE but the continuous now moves from its original position onto the ADDED form.

An easier example then.

Start sentence: “My parents have sung the Alphabet Song at my wedding.”

Step 1: My parents have sung the Alphabet Song at my wedding

Step 2: There are 2 verbs.

Step 3: Who or what have my parents sung? Answer: the Alphabet Song

Step 4: The Alphabet Song …

Step 5: The sentence is in the present perfect

Step 6: I need to add a form of To Be in between have sung -> BEEN

Step 7: The Alphabet Song have been sung at my wedding [by my parents]

Step 8: Hang on: The Alphabet Song is an IT, it should be HAS 

Corrected and final version:

The Alphabet Song has been sung at my wedding [by my parents].

Please apply these steps to the following sentences:

1. Jack told her the good news at once.

2. Elfy is having the time of her life.

3. Art has a job in Oxford.

4. Moniek told me her mum had done all the cooking.

5. Boris misses English class far too often.

6. Luke and Lea have bought a lovely house in Wales.