With verbs that take a person and a thing, such as give, send, and show, the person usually becomes the subject of the passive sentence, as in I was given a certificate. If the thing becomes the subject instead, add to before the person, as in a prize was awarded to the winner.
Grammar Rule
With verbs that take a person and a thing, the person usually becomes the subject; if the thing becomes the subject, add to before the person.
Passive Voice with Two Objects: Rules and Examples
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Person as subject (common) | was/were + participle + thing | I was given a certificate for my work. She was sent an invitation to the wedding. |
| Thing as subject (less common) | was/were + participle + to + person | A prize was awarded to the winner. |
Remember: the person usually becomes the subject; if the thing does, add to before the person.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below forming the correct passive sentence with two objects. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Passive Voice – With Two Objects
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you form the passive with verbs that take two objects?
Usually the person becomes the subject, followed by the past participle and the thing, as in I was given a certificate for my work.
What happens when the thing becomes the subject instead?
Add to before the person, as in a prize was awarded to the winner.
Which pattern is more common in everyday English?
Making the person the subject is more common and sounds more natural in most situations.
Which verbs commonly follow this two-object passive pattern?
Verbs like give, send, show, and award, which naturally take both a person and a thing as objects.