Find the passive forms in the film review. Then, rewrite these sentences in the passive.
1. James Gunn directed Guardians of the Galaxy.
2. In the film, the aliens were attacking the astronauts.
3. Thousands of people are watching the new sci-fi film at the cinema.
4. Ryan Gosling plays the lead role in Blade Runner 2049.
5. The film uses simplistic special effects.
6. Lots of people are highly recommending this film.
7. In this film, the spaceship's crew are exploring the depths of outer space.
8. In the past, directors did not use 3D technology in their films.

Exercise: Passive Voice

1. Find the passive forms in the film review.

The film review is not provided, so it is impossible to identify the exact passive forms used in it.

The Passive Voice is formed using the verb to be + past participle (V3).

Examples of passive forms:

• is directed — Present Simple Passive

• was directed — Past Simple Passive

• is being watched — Present Continuous Passive

• were being attacked — Past Continuous Passive

• is highly recommended — Present Simple Passive

2. Rewrite the sentences in the passive.

1. James Gunn directed Guardians of the Galaxy.

Passive: Guardians of the Galaxy was directed by James Gunn.

Past Simple Passive: was + V3.

2. In the film, the aliens were attacking the astronauts.

Passive: In the film, the astronauts were being attacked by the aliens.

Past Continuous Passive: were + being + V3.

3. Thousands of people are watching the new sci-fi film at the cinema.

Passive: The new sci-fi film is being watched by thousands of people at the cinema.

Present Continuous Passive: is + being + V3.

4. Ryan Gosling plays the lead role in Blade Runner 2049.

Passive: The lead role in Blade Runner 2049 is played by Ryan Gosling.

Present Simple Passive: is + V3.

5. The film uses simplistic special effects.

Passive: Simplistic special effects are used in the film.

Present Simple Passive: are + V3.

6. Lots of people are highly recommending this film.

Passive: This film is being highly recommended by lots of people.

Present Continuous Passive: is + being + V3.

7. In this film, the spaceship's crew are exploring the depths of outer space.

Passive: In this film, the depths of outer space are being explored by the spaceship's crew.

Present Continuous Passive: are + being + V3.

8. In the past, directors did not use 3D technology in their films.

Passive: In the past, 3D technology was not used by directors in their films.

Past Simple Passive (negative): was + not + V3.

Grammar summary

Important: In passive sentences, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The person or thing performing the action can be introduced with by, but it can be omitted when it is unnecessary.

For example:

• Active: James Gunn directed the film.

• Passive: The film was directed by James Gunn.

All eight sentences above have been rewritten using the appropriate passive voice forms while preserving their original tenses.