1. Rewrite the sentences using the present passive without by. a) People speak English in Australia...

a) English is spoken in Australia. b) Mineral water is sold in plastic bottles. c) This room is not used very often. d) The letters are delivered at 8.00. e) The classrooms are being cleaned now. f) The Internet is used all over the world. g) The road is being repaired at the moment. h) The tests are being marked by the teacher. i) The computer is not being used. j) The washing up is being done by him.

1. Rewrite the sentences using the present passive without by.

a) People speak English in Australia.

• English is spoken in Australia.

b) They sell mineral water in plastic bottles.

• Mineral water is sold in plastic bottles.

c) People don't use this room very often.

• This room isn't used very often.

d) The postman delivers the letters at 8.00.

• The letters are delivered at 8.00.

e) They are cleaning the classrooms now.

• The classrooms are being cleaned now.

f) People use the Internet all over the world.

• The Internet is used all over the world.

g) They are repairing the road at the moment.

• The road is being repaired at the moment.

h) The teacher is marking the tests.

• The tests are being marked.

i) They aren't using the computer.

• The computer isn't being used.

j) He is doing the washing up.

• The washing up is being done.

Explanation:

1. Present Passive Voice Formation:

   • The present passive voice is formed by using the appropriate form of the verb "to be" (am, is, are) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

2. Avoiding the Agent (by.):

   • In these sentences, the agent performing the action is not specified because the focus is on the action itself or the recipient of the action.

3. Examples and Structure:

   • Simple Present Passive:

     • "People speak English in Australia" transforms to "English is spoken in Australia."
     • The structure is: Subject (thing receiving the action) + "is/are" + past participle.

   • Present Continuous Passive:

     • "They are cleaning the classrooms now" transforms to "The classrooms are being cleaned now."
     • The structure is: Subject (thing receiving the action) + "is/are being" + past participle.

By converting these sentences to the passive voice, the emphasis shifts from who is performing the action to what is being acted upon. This is useful in contexts where the doer is unknown, unimportant, or already understood.

a) English is spoken in Australia. b) Mineral water is sold in plastic bottles. c) This room is not used very often. d) The letters are delivered by the postman at 8.00. e) The classrooms are being cleaned now. f) The Internet is used all over the world. g) The road is being repaired at the moment. h) The tests are being marked by the teacher. i) The computer is not being used. j) The washing up is being done by him.