Passive voice cheat sheet (PDF)
Everything on this site that fits on one page: the formula, the zombie test, the twelve tenses in passive form, the look-alike adjectives, four ways to fix a passive, when to keep one, and benchmark percentages from the Passive Voice Index. Letter size, prints in black and white.
What is on the page
- The shape of a passive — a form of be or get plus a past participle, with the doer after “by” or left out, and the full list of auxiliary forms.
- The zombie test — add “by zombies” after the verb; if the sentence survives, it is passive.
- Looks passive, isn’t — interested, tired, excited, married, born and friends, with the “very” test.
- All twelve tenses — the passive form of each, using write.
- Four fixes — name the doer, swap the verb, drop the dummy opener, say it plainly.
- When passive is right — unknown, obvious or irrelevant doer; receiver as topic; tact.
- How much is too much — Yoast’s 10% and the medians from our Passive Voice Index.
The worksheet pairs with it for classroom use, and the quiz gives instant feedback on the same material.
Questions people ask
- What is in the passive voice PDF?
The passive formula (be + past participle), the list of be-verbs and get-verbs, the zombie test, a worked example, the ‘very’ test for adjectives, passive forms of all twelve tenses, four fix patterns, five cases where passive is correct, and benchmark percentages.
- Is it free?
Yes. Download it directly, or sign up for it by email to get the occasional note on writing tools as well.
- Can I use it in class or at work?
Yes. Print and distribute it freely. Please keep the footer with the site address.
Get the one-page passive voice cheat sheet
The be-verb list, the zombie test, the twelve tenses in passive form and the five cases where passive is the right call, on a printable page. Free, by email.
One email with the PDF, then an occasional note on writing tools. Unsubscribe any time.