Passive Voice: Get vs. Have, and More Grammar Exercises

Posted on Aug 28, 2024 in English

Passive Voice: Get vs. Have

The passive voice is used when the action of the verb is more important than the person or thing that performs the action. In the passive voice, the object of the verb becomes the subject.

We often use the passive voice with the verbs get and have to talk about things that are done to us or for us.

Get

We use get in the passive voice to talk about something that happens to us, often unexpectedly or by chance.

For example:

• Ann is paying someone to paint her house. Ann is getting her house painted.
• Somebody stole my purse while I was eating out. I got my purse stolen.
• The dentist will check my teeth tomorrow. I’m getting my teeth checked tomorrow.
• Sarah and John paid an electrician yesterday to fix the lights. Sarah and John got the lights fixed yesterday.
• My car doesn’t work properly. I should take it to the mechanic. I should get my car fixed.
• The mechanic changed the oil in my car. I got the oil in my car changed by the mechanic.
• The hairdresser cut my hair in a completely different style. I got my hair cut in a completely different style by the hairdresser.
• A decorator has repainted our house. Our house has been repainted by a decorator.
• A friend of mine, who is an electrician, is going to repair my DVD player next week. I’m going to get my DVD player repaired next week by a friend of mine who is an electrician.
• My jacket is being cleaned at a specialist cleaner’s. I am getting my jacket cleaned at a specialist cleaner’s.

Have

We use have in the passive voice to talk about something that we arrange to be done for us.

For example:

• The mechanic changed the oil in my car. I had the oil in my car changed by the mechanic.
• The hairdresser cut my hair in a completely different style. I had my hair cut in a completely different style by the hairdresser.
• A decorator has repainted our house. Our house has been repainted by a decorator.
• A friend of mine, who is an electrician, is going to repair my DVD player next week. I’m going to have my DVD player repaired next week by a friend of mine who is an electrician.
• My jacket is being cleaned at a specialist cleaner’s. I am having my jacket cleaned at a specialist cleaner’s.

Grammar Exercises

Exercise 1:

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb get or have in the passive voice.

• She denied ___________ the mobile phone, but no one believed her. (take)
• She hopes ___________ for an international accounting firm in the future. (work)
• My parents have decided ___________ a party to celebrate their anniversary. (have)
• Do you remember ___________ to school when you were about six? (go)
• You can make the dog ___________ to you by shouting ‘sit’. (sit)
• There’s no answer at home. Let’s try ___________ the office. (call)

Exercise 2:

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in the passive voice.

• My uncle finally gave up (smoke)
• I really enjoyed (listen)
• How did you learn (speak)
• I enjoy (write)
• The song made me (smile)
• Do you mind (help)
• This is intolerable! I refuse (wait)
• We managed (escape)
• She’d like (invite)
• You should avoid (eat)

Exercise 3:

Match the sentences with the correct words.

Exercise 4:

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb.

come into → work on → deal with → set up → come in

• The translators have to ___________ thousands of pages of documents.
• Some of the CV we receive ___________ from Northern Europe.
• The manager is ___________ a new campaign at the moment.
• He has already made enough money to ___________ his own business.
• On Saint Valentine’s Day, my colleague ___________ the office holding a bunch of

Exercise 5:

Match the sentences with the correct endings.

Exercise 6:

Complete the sentences with the correct word.

• We had ___________ really good time at school today.
• Do you listen to ___________ radio every day?
• Some friends are going to have ___________ party. Would you like to come?
• It took me over ___________ hour to fill in this form.
• Do you have ___________ unusual ability?
• Did you use to wear ___________ uniform when you went to school?
• I went to ___________ hairdresser’s yesterday and I will have to go again tomorrow. My hair is ___________ complete disaster!
• We wanted to see ___________ Queen, but there were too many people.

Exercise 7:

Complete the sentences with the correct word.

• I had ___________ really bad day on ___________ Monday. I went to ___________ shop on ___________ Oxford street to buy ___________ new  TV. When I got ___________ home, I tried to turn on ___________ TV, but it didn’t work properly. I took it back to ___________ shop, but ___________ shop assistant pointed to ___________ scratch on ___________ TV and said it was my fault. I asked for ___________ refund, but he said it was not his problem and blamed ___________ manufacturer.

Exercise 8:

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

• Are you really afraid ___________ clowns?
• I’ve been waiting ___________ the bus for 40 minutes. I’m going to call a taxi.
• He seems to be very interested ___________ fashion.
• Don’t forget to pay ___________ the milk.
• She borrowed £50 ___________ his father.
• Who does this jacket belong ___________?
• Stop talking and concentrate ___________ your exams.
• We want to go hiking, but it depends ___________ the weather.
• Stop worrying ___________ your exam – everything will be fine.
• I’m afraid I’m not very good ___________ reading maps.

Exercise 9:

Match the sentences with the correct words.