Passive Voice Basics exercises — Set 4: The "by" Agent (Worksheet)
Worksheet • 20 questions • 14 min
The novel was written Charles Dickens.
The car was washed . (We don't know who did it.)
"Guernica" was painted Pablo Picasso in 1937.
Which sentence sounds more natural?
The window was broken a ball.
The letter was written a pen. (the instrument used)
English is spoken millions of people worldwide.
The soup was made fresh vegetables. (the ingredients used)
The criminal was arrested . (The police arrested him — this is obvious.)
All the decorations were made hand. Nobody used a machine.
Which sentence correctly omits the agent?
The house was destroyed a fire last night.
"Harry Potter" was written J.K. Rowling.
The cake was decorated colourful icing. (the material used)
The streets are cleaned every night . (city workers do it — obvious)
The package was sent express post. It arrived the next day.
Which sentence should include the agent ('by ...')?
The door was opened a key. (the instrument used)
The village was flooded heavy rain.
Which is the best version of this sentence? "The homework was corrected ." (The teacher did it.)
Passive Voice Basics exercises online (Worksheet)
When do we include 'by + agent' in passive sentences, and when do we leave it out? Learn the rules for using 'by' — when the agent is important, unknown, or obvious — and practise placing it correctly.