English Grammar Exercises: Passive Voice, Conditionals, Modal Verbs and Prepositions

English Grammar Exercises

1. Rewrite the sentences using the passive. Start each sentence with the appropriate form of the bold word(s).

1. The school sets tests every six months. Tests are set every six months.
2. We will award prizes at the end of term. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the term.
3. They punished me for handing my homework in late. I was punished for handing my homework in late.
4. They sent me my exam results in the post. My exam results were sent to me in the post.
5. The teacher gave Clare extra marks for her hard work. Extra marks were given to Clare for her hard work.

2. Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the bold words.

1. Phillip won the science prize. (WAS) The science prize was won by Phillip.
2. Everyone knows that too much stress is bad for exam performance. (KNOWN) It's known that too much stress is bad for exam performance.
3. Someone is repairing my bike before next term. (GETTING) I'm getting my bike repaired before next term.
4. People generally think Oxford and Cambridge are the best universities in the UK. (CONSIDERED) Oxford and Cambridge are considered to be the best universities in the UK.
5. They are employing people to redecorate the school this summer. (HAVING) They are having the school decorated this summer.

3. Complete the letter with the correct prepositions from the list.

I've been here at summer school for a week now (2) on the basic (3) of modern equipment, and no one is (4) in (5) out of order (6) of things improving, and I'm actually (7) in two minds. Any good suggestions (8) for fun things?

4. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

1. I'm doing a career / degree in psychology at Nottingham University.
2. My favourite teacher / professor at school is Mr Adams.
3. How many subjects / signatures are you studying?
4. He was expelled for being truant / disruptive.
5. You should revise / repeat well before exams.

5. Choose the correct alternatives to complete the sentences.

1. Sally's never been able to / managed win any major competitions.
2. Peters isn't performing very well. He can / could have injury problems.
3. I was tired at the end of the race, but I couldn't still / was still able to win.
4. That can't / mustn't be Johnson in the race. He isn't running this year.
5. Since we were children, my brother can always / has always been able to.

6. Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the bold words.

1. Pauline couldn't finish the race. (TO) Pauline wasn't able to finish the race.
2. We're sure that athlete cheated. (MUST) That athlete must have cheated.
3. You really shouldn't be late for the race. (BETTER) You had better not be late for the race.
4. Simon stopped training before the Olympics, which was a bad idea. (SHOULDN'T) Simon shouldn't have stopped training before the Olympics.
5. Maybe Abrahams didn't touch the ball. (MIGHT) Abrahams might not have touched the ball.

7. Complete the sentences with the appropriate forms of the bold verbs. Use conditional sentences.

• I want to be healthier; I will be (BE) healthier if I eat (EAT) a better diet.
• I would buy (BUY) lots of sports cars if I won (WIN) the lottery.
• I'm going to do more exercise. If I do (DO) more exercises, I 'll have (HAVE) more energy.

8. I wish… If only…

• My shoes are too small. If only I had bought (BOUGHT) a bigger size.
• I wish you wouldn't wear (NOT WEAR) that hat. It looks really strange!
• Turn your music off! We wish you listened (LISTEN) to us.
• I really need my laptop. If only I hadn't broken (NOT BROKEN) it last week.

9. Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one. Use modal verbs.

1. It is possible that he is a good cook. He could be a good cook.
2. I'm sure Sara's tired because she's gone home already. Sara must be tired because she's gone home already.
3. Maybe he doesn't live there now. He might not live there now.
4. She looks like Mark, so she can't be his sister.
5. I asked whether they wanted to open the window. I asked them: "Can I open the window?"

10. Complete the sentences with a different passive/active structure.

• Yesterday, the teacher gave (GIVE) us a test.
• We predict that tomorrow's newspaper will be read (READ) by millions.
• Has your car ever been damaged by vandals? (EVER/DAMAGE)
• My dad is fixing his car at the garage at the moment. (FIX/HIS CAR)
• Ross is going to have his teeth checked by a dentist tomorrow. (CHECK/HIS TEETH)

11. Rewrite the sentences with a different passive structure. Make sure the meaning is the same.

1. The photos were shown to us by Marie. We were shown the photos by Marie.
2. We were given an end-of-term test by our teacher. An end-of-term test was given to us by our teacher.
3. A text message was sent to me by Helen. I was sent a text message by Helen.
4. People consider bungee jumping to be very dangerous. Bungee jumping is considered to be very dangerous.
5. People claim that crime levels are increasing. Crime levels are claimed to be increasing.