Passive Infinitives Grammar Worksheet 2

UPPER-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Grammar Worksheet
PASSIVE INFINITIVES
The passive infinitive is used to express an action received by the subject of a sentence. It is
often used in official arrangements, orders or instructions. It is formed by combining to be
with the past participle of a verb. An infinitive in the active voice focuses on the doer
(performer) of the action. Whereas, a passive infinitive focuses on the receiver of the action.
Active infinitive Passive infinitive (to be+ Past Participle)
I like to help people. I like to be helped .
Explanation: The infinitive focuses on the Explanation: The subject, here, is not the doer of
doer of the action, which is the subject (I) the infinitive. The doer (subject) of the main verb
here. The subject is the doer of the (like) and the infinitive (help) are different. I (the
infinitive (help). The subject likes to subject) like an action that people perform on me:
perform an action. an action that I receive.
We want to punish him. We want to be punished by him.
Explanation: Notice that the doer of the Explanation: This is a passive infinitive, the action
main verb (want) and the infinitive is in the infinitive phrase and the subject does not
(punish) are the same. The subject wants perform it; they receive it.
an action that is acted upon them.
Active Passive
There's so much to do. There's so much to be done.
I want somebody to help me. I want to be helped.
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The company schedules the builders to The work is scheduled to be completed
complete each instruction task within two within two years.
years.
Part A.
Use the verb in parentheses to create a passive infinitive for each sentence.
Example: The students hope to be given their own books. (give)
1. The little boy likes _______ _______ __________ by his mother. (hold)
2. He doesn't want _______ _______ __________ to Afghanistan. (send)
3. The landlord asked _______ _______ __________ on time. (pay)
4. The new workers need _______ _______ __________ how to use the machines. (show)
5. The passenger is _______ _______ ___________ off of the plane as soon as it arrives.
(escort)
6. Customers expect _______ _______ __________ when they are in the store. (help)
7. Dinner is _______ _______ __________ at 7 p.m. (serve)
8. The prisoners are soon _______ ________ __________ by their captors. (release)
Part B.
Rewrite each short sentence or question using a passive infinitive:
Example: He wants to invite his friends. / He wants to be invited by his friends.
1. She wants a doctor to see her. /

___________________________________________________________________.
2. I need you to give me more time. /

________________________________________________________________.
3. John hopes that the company hires him.

_______________________________________________________________.
4. Runners in the street want the drivers to see them. /

___________________________________________________.
5. The government plans to release the information. /

____________________________________________________.
6. Bob asked someone to pick him up at the airport. /
____________________________________________________.
Modal verbs can be followed by Passive Infinitives without “to”. It is formed by combining
modal verbs +be+ past participle of a verb.
Active Passive (modal verbs +be+ past participle
We mustn’t forget them. They mustn’t be forgotten
We should put the meat in the fridge. The meat should be put in the fridge.
Part C.
Write sentences using modal verbs with Passive Infinitives (without to).
Example: He will call a doctor. /A doctor will be called.
1. We should tell Ann.

Ann___________________________________________________________
2. They may invite him.
He_______________________________________________________________
3. You can’t criticize her.
She _______________________________________________________________________
4. You should keep this cool.
This__________________________________________________________
5. You could send them through the
post.They_________________________________________________________
6. You must follow the instructions.
The instructions ____________________________________________________
ANSWER KEY
Part A.
Directions: Use the verb in parentheses to create a passive infinitive for each sentence .
Example: The students hope to be given their own books. (give)
1. The little boy likes to be held by his mother. (hold)
2. He doesn't want to be sent to Afghanistan. (send)
3. The landlord asked to be paid on time. (pay)
4. The new workers need to be shown how to use the machines. (show)
5. The passenger is to be escorted off of the plane as soon as it arrives. (escort)
6. Customers expect to be helped when they are in the store. (help)
7. Dinner is to be served at 7 p.m. (serve)
8. The prisoners are soon to be released by their captors. (release)
Part B.
Directions: Rewrite each short sentence or question using a passive infinitive:
Example: He wants to invite his friends. / He wants to be invited by his friends.
1. She wants a doctor to see her. / She wants to be seen by a doctor.
2. I need you to give me more time. / I need to be given more time.
3. John hopes that the company hires him. / John hopes to be hired by the company.
4. Runners in the street want the drivers to see them. / Runners in the street want to be
seen by the drivers.
5. The government plans to release the information. / The information is to be released by

the government.
6. Bob asked someone to pick him up at the airport. / Bob asked to be picked up at the
airport.
Part C.
Directions: Write sentences using modal verbs with Passive Infinitives (without to).
1.Ann should be told.
2. He may be invited.
3. She can’t be criticized.
4. This should be kept cool.
5. They could be sent through the post.
6. The instructions must be followed.

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UPPER-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Active infinitive Passive infinitive (to be+ Past Participle)

I like to help people. I like to be helped .

We want to punish him. We want to be punished by him.

There's so much to do. There's so much to be done.

I want somebody to help me. I want to be helped.

Example: The students hope to be given their own books. (give)

2. He doesn't want _______ _______ __________ to Afghanistan. (send)

3. The landlord asked _______ _______ __________ on time. (pay)

7. Dinner is _______ _______ __________ at 7 p.m. (serve)

Rewrite each short sentence or question using a passive infinitive:

Example: He wants to invite his friends. / He wants to be invited by his friends.

1. She wants a doctor to see her. /

2. I need you to give me more time. /

3. John hopes that the company hires him.

4. Runners in the street want the drivers to see them. /

5. The government plans to release the information. /

Active Passive (modal verbs +be+ past participle

We mustn’t forget them. They mustn’t be forgotten

Example: He will call a doctor. /A doctor will be called.

1. We should tell Ann.

Example: The students hope to be given their own books. (give)

1. The little boy likes to be held by his mother. (hold)

2. He doesn't want to be sent to Afghanistan. (send)

3. The landlord asked to be paid on time. (pay)

5. The passenger is to be escorted off of the plane as soon as it arrives. (escort)

6. Customers expect to be helped when they are in the store. (help)

7. Dinner is to be served at 7 p.m. (serve)

8. The prisoners are soon to be released by their captors. (release)

Directions: Rewrite each short sentence or question using a passive infinitive:

Example: He wants to invite his friends. / He wants to be invited by his friends.

1. She wants a doctor to see her. / She wants to be seen by a doctor.

2. I need you to give me more time. / I need to be given more time.

5. The government plans to release the information. / The information is to be released by

3. She can’t be criticized.

4. This should be kept cool.

5. They could be sent through the post.

6. The instructions must be followed.

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2. He doesn't want ___ _ ________ to Afghanistan. (send)

3. The landlord asked ___ _ ________ on time. (pay)

7. Dinner is ___ _ ________ at 7 p.m. (serve)