Active and passive

A few examples  Dieter and Kelly wash the dishes every day.  The dishes are washed every day (by Dieter and Kelly).  Yesterday Chantal gave Clark a present.  Yesterday Clark was given a present (by Chantal).  Edwin has painted the kitchen.  The kitchen has been painted (by Edwin).  Kevin bought an interesting book.  An interesting book was bought (by Kevin).

What’s the difference?  Peter left Saskia last year.  Saskia was left by Peter last year.  Saskia left Peter last year.  Peter was left by Saskia last year.

Exercises (key)  Mary woke John by shouting.  John was woken by Mary shouting.  John woke Mary by shouting.  Mary was woken by John shouting.

 His father gave it to him.  It was given to him by his father.  He gave it to his father.  It was given to him by his son.

 An accident caused the fire.  The fire was caused by an accident.  The fire caused an accident.  The accident was caused by a fire.

 Ants ate almost everything.  Almost everything was eaten by ants.  Almost everything eats ants.  Ants are eaten by almost everything.

 In one week, he’s changed all his plans with her.  All his plans with her have been changed in one week.  She’s changed all his plans in one week.  All his plans have been changed by her in one week.

 Big fish catch little fish.  Little fish are caught by big fish.  Little fish catch big fish.  Big fish are caught by little fish.

 Mary has left John.  John has been left by Mary.  John has left Mary.  Mary has been left by John.

 The students have learnt a lot from the teacher.  The students have been taught a lot by the teacher.  The students have taught the teacher a lot.  The teacher has been taught a lot by the students.

 Mary loves John.  John is loved by Mary.  John loves Mary.  Mary is loved by John.