The Passive Voice
CHANGE THE SENTENCES from active to passive. For example:
ACTIVE: Fleming discovered penicillin. PASSIVE: Penicillin was discovered by Fleming
It is not always necessary to mention the subject (for example, Fleming) in a passive sentence.
active: They noticed a reduction in body temperature. passive: A reduction in body temperature was noticed.
1. Work carried out in the USA has influenced the development of the serum.
The development of the serum has been influenced by work carried out in the USA.
r AjjJ "c,      ■* *....... - - -     ............. < ■ + * ■ + * * * > ■
2. They injected the patient with morphine.
PASSIVE1      Tne Palienl was injected with morphine.
i.   The doctor is using a bronchoscope to inspect the inside of the lungs.
PASSIVE-     A bronchoscope is being used by the doctor to inspect the inside of the lungs.
4. The police arrested him for misuse of drugs. PASSIVE-     He was arresled for misuse of drugs.
5. They are going to refer the patient to a consultant. The patient is going to be referred to a consultant.
PASSIVE:
The lab had found traces of the drug in the blood sample. PASSIVE    .T.races 0T.the d.ru9 ha.d been found in the blood sample.
A blood clot blocked the artery.
PASSIVE: . . The artery was blocked by a blood, clot..
Refuse from the factories contaminated supplies of drinking water. PASSIVE1    Supplies of drinking water were contaminated by refuse from the factories.
9.   They can treat a high proportion of cancers by surgery. PASSIVE: .A hi9n. proportion of cancers can be treated by surgery..
10. If gangrene sets in they will have to amputate his toes. PASSIVE-    His toes wi" nave t0 b.e amputated if gangrene sets in.
11. His doctor has banned him from drinking alcohol. PASSIVE1    He nas been banned from drinking alcohol. _ _
12. Therapists sometimes hypnotize their patients.
PASSIVE'     Patients are sometimes hypnotized by their therapists.
13. That hospital is developing a new procedure for dealing with Parkinson's disease. PASSIVE: . A pew procedure fqr.dealing wijh. Parkins.on's. disease i.s .being developed by the hqspijal..
14. You should heat the solution to 25°. PASSIVE1      The so'ution should be heated to 25°
15. The police rejected him because of his medical record. PASSIVE-   He was reJecteci by the police because of his medical record.
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© Peter Collin Publishing. Based on the Dictionary of Medicine, 2nd Ed. 1994. ISBN 0-948549-36-X.