Impersonal passive 23

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
• If the predicate of the passive sentence is a verb transitive
like: believe, think, find, say, report, consider, understand,
acknowledge, expect, tell, know then you can change the
active sentence into passive using two ways. Look at the
examples:

a) People say that he is handsome. (in the present)
*It is said that he is handsome.
*He is said to be handsome.
b) They knew he had an idea. ( in the past)
*It was known that he had an idea.
*He was known to have had an idea.

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
• 1) People think that the new prime minister is a good speaker.
• It is …………………………………………………………………………………

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
• It is thought that the new prime minister is a good speaker.

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
• The new prime minister ……….

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
• The new prime minister is thought to be a good speaker.

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
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1) People think that the new prime minister is a good speaker.
It is thought that the new prime minister is a good speaker.
The new prime minister is thought to be a good speaker.
2) They report that the suspended gunman is in custody.
The suspended …………………………………………………………
It is ……………………………………………………………………………

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
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The suspended gunman is reported to be in custody.
It is reported that the suspended gunman is in custody.

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
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3) People don't expect that the new party will win the election.
It isn't …………………………………………………………………………………………
The new
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
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3) People don't expect that the new party will win the
election.
• It isn't expected that the new party will win the election.
• The new party isn´t expected to win the election.

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
• 4) The police say that the principal is at large.
• It is …………………………………………………………………………………………
• The principal ………………………………………………………………………….

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
• 4) The police say that the principal is at large. (fugado/ prófugo)
• It is said that the principal is at large.
• The principal is said to be at large.

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
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4) The police say that the principal is at large. (fugado/ prófugo)
It is said that the principal is at large.
The principal is said to be at large.
5) The detective knows that the robber has left the city.
It is known that the robber has left the city.
The robber is known to have left the city.

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
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6) People believe that giving encouragement is important at work, too.
It is …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Giving encouragement
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
.

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
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It is believed that giving encouragement is important at work, too.
Giving encouragement is believed to be important at work..
7) They told us that Charles drank too much at the party.
It was
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
• Charles
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
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It is believed that giving encouragement is important at work, too.
Giving encouragement is believed to be important at work..
7) They told us that Charles drank too much at the party.
It was told that Charles drank too much at the party.
Charles was told to have drunk too much at the party.

Rephrase the sentences to make them more formal.
• 1) People know that drug addiction is dangerous.
• It is
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

• 1) People know that drug addiction is dangerous.
• It is known that drug addiction is dangerous.

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1) People know that drug addiction is dangerous.
It is known that drug addiction is dangerous.
2) They believe that the lunch will be delicious.
The lunch is believed to be delicious.

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3) They think that the children are at school.
The children …………………………………….

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The children are thought to be at school.

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4) People said that the robbery lasted half an hour.
It is …………………………………………………………………………………

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It is said that the robbery lasted half an hour.

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5) People acknowledge that he is talented.
He is …………………………………………………………………………………

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He is acknowledged to be talented.

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6) The newspapers reported that he won the jackpot.
He was ………………………………………………………………………………………………

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6) The newspapers reported that he won the jackpot.
He was reported to have won the jackpot.

• 7) They think that your tea is too sweet.
• It is …………………………………………………………………………………………

• 7) They think that your tea is too sweet.
• It is thought that your tea is too sweet.

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7) They think that your tea is too sweet.
It is thought that your tea is too sweet.
8) Everybody says the old bridge will collapse.
The old …………………………………………………………………………………

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7) They think that your tea is too sweet.
It is thought that your tea is too sweet.
8) Everybody says the old bridge will collapse.
The old bridge is said to collapse.

ACTIVE TO PASSIVE: SPECIAL FORMS
Rewrite these sentences into a different passive voice:
• 1. People believe that the new government will do their best
to tackle the crisis.
• It ………………………………………………………………………………………

to tackle the crisis. (abordar/afrontar)
• It is believed that the new government will do their best to
tackle the crisis.

tackle the crisis.
• 2. Economists predict an increase in unemployment.
• Unemployment
………………………………………………………………………………………………

tackle the crisis.
• Unemployment is predicted to increase.
• 3. Scientists expected that more money was spent on
research in stem cells.
• It …………………………………………………………………………………………

tackle the crisis.
• 3. Scientists expected that more money was spent on
research in stem cells.
• It was expected that more money was spent on research in
stem cells.

• 1. People believe that the new government will do their best to
tackle the crisis. (abordar/afrontar)
• It is believed that the new government will do their best to tackle
the crisis.
• 3. Scientists expected that more money was spent on research in
stem cells.
• It was expected that more money was spent on research in stem
cells.
• 4. Some TV viewers think that gossip programmes are rubbish.
• It
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

the crisis.
stem cells.
cells.
• It is thought that gossip programmes are rubbish.

the crisis.
stem cells.
cells.
• 5. The critics believed that Brad Pit’s film was a failure.
• Brad Pit’s film
…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………

the crisis.
stem cells.
cells.
• 5. The critics believed that Brad Pit’s film was a failure.
• Brad Pit’s film was believed to have been a failure.

• 6. People say that life is hard for today’s teens.
• Life ………………………………………………………………………………………

• 6. People say that life is hard for today’s teens.
• Life is said to be hard for today´s teens.

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6. People say that life is hard for today’s teens.
Life is said to be hard for today´s teens.
7. The public think Woody Allen’s films are great.
It …………………………………………………………………………………

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It is thought that Woody´s Allen´s films are great.

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8. The review thought Dean’s books were boring and
uninteresting.
• Dean’s books ………………………………………………………………………

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8. The review thought Dean’s books were boring and
uninteresting.
• Dean’s books were thought to be boring and uninteresting.
• 9. The reporter said the earthquake had caused lots of
casualties.
• It ……………………………………………………………………………

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8. The review thought Dean’s books were boring and uninteresting.
Dean’s books were thought to be boring and uninteresting.
9. The reporter said the earthquake had caused lots of casualties.
It is said that the earthquake had caused lots of casualties.
10. Everybody believed that Picasso’s exhibition had been a success.
Picasso’s exhibition
……………………………………………………………………………………..……………

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Picasso’s exhibition was believed to have been a success.

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11. Some neighbours said the porter didn’t work well.
It
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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11. Some neighbours said the porter (portero) didn’t work well.
It is said that the porter didn’t work well.

• 12. Nobody expected that the meeting ended in such a mess.
• The meeting ……………………………………………………………………

• The meeting wasn´t expected to have ended in such a mess.

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12. Nobody expected that the meeting ended in such a mess.
The meeting wasn´t expected to have ended in such a mess.
13. The surveys predict that the liberal party will be the elections.
The liberal party …………………………………………………………………

• 13. The surveys predict that the liberal party will be in the
elections.
• The liberal party is predicted to be in the elctions

elections.
• The liberal party is predicted to be in the elections
• 14. Doctors don’t think the new anti-smoking law will benefit
people’s health.
• The new anti-smoking law………………………….…………………………….

elections.
people’s health.
• The new anti-smoking law is not thought to benefit people´s
health.

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13. The surveys predict that the liberal party will be in the elections.
The liberal party is predicted to be in the elections
14. Doctors don’t think the new anti-smoking law will benefit people’s
health.
The new anti-smoking law is not thought to benefit people´s health.
15. People say that the company is going to make lots of workers
redundant.
The company
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

elections.
people’s health.
• The new anti-smoking law is not thought to benefit people´s
health.
• 15. People say that the company is going to make lots of workers
redundant.
• The company is said to make lots of workers redundant.

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health.
redundant.
The company is said to make lots of workers redundant.
16. Researchers expect that the new drug will improve the patients’ life.
It …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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health.
redundant.
It is expected that the new drug will improve the patients’ life.

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health.
redundant.
17. People believe that 2012 will be better.
2012
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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health.
redundant.
17. People believe that 2012 will be better.
2012 is believed to be better.

2. Rewrite these sentences using have/get something
done:

done:
• 1. The technician has just fixed the TV aerial.
• We …………………………………………………………………

done:
• 1. The technician has just fixed the TV aerial.
• We have just had/got the TV aerial fixed.

done:
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1. The technician has just fixed the TV aerial.
We have just had/got the TV aerial fixed.
2. Dr Brown is testing Peter’s eyes next week.
Peter………………………………………………………………………………………

done:
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Peter is having his eyes tested next week.

done:
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3. The gardener will replant our garden next Friday.
We ……………………………………………………………………………………

done:
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We will have our garden replanted next Friday.

done:
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4. Tom’s mother washed his jeans yesterday.
Tom ……………………………………………………………………….

done:
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Tom had his jeans washed yesterday.

done:
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5. I’m going to the go the hairdresser’s on Monday. I need a haircut.
I ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

done:
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5. I’m going to the go the hairdresser’s on Monday. I need a
haircut.
• I am going to have my hair cut on Monday.

done:
• 6. The painters have already redecorated the classrooms.
• The classrooms
……………………………………………………………………………………………

done:
• 6. The painters have already redecorated the classrooms.
• I have already had the classrooms redecorated.

done:
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6. The painters have already redecorated the classrooms.
I have already had the classrooms redecorated.
7. Mary’s husband is making coffee for her.
Mary ……………………………………………………………………………………

done:
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Mary is having coffee made.

done:
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8. The vet will vaccinate her dog on Monday.
She ………………………………………………………………………………..……

done:
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She will have her dog vaccinated on Monday.

done:
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9. The cobbler has mended the children’s shoes.
The children …………………………………………………………………………

done:
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The children have the shoes mended.

done:
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10. Someone stole my mum’s purse last week.
My mum
……………………………………………………………………………………

done:
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10. Someone stole my mum’s purse last week.
My mum had her purse stolen last week.

done:
• 11. The dressmaker hasn’t made Sue’s wedding dress yet.
• Sue …………………………………………………………………………………..

done:
• Sue hasn´t had her dress made yet.

done:
• 12. A famous architect designed London’s new art gallery in
2010.
• London ………………………………………………………………………………….

done:
2010.
• London had a new art gallery designed in 2010.

done:
2010.
• 13. The windows look brilliant! Who has cleaned them?
• I ……………………………………………………………………………………………

done:
2010.
• I have had the windows cleaned.

done:
2010.
• 14. Mum had ironed the clothes for the party.
• We
…………………………………………………………………………………………..……

done:
2010.
• We had had the clothes ironed for the party.

done:
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11. The dressmaker hasn’t made Sue’s wedding dress yet.
Sue hasn´t had her dress made yet.
12. A famous architect designed London’s new art gallery in 2010.
London had a new art gallery designed in 2010.
13. The windows look brilliant! Who has cleaned them?
I have had the windows cleaned.
14. Mum had ironed the clothes for the party.
We had had the clothes ironed for the party.
15. The workmen are repairing The Smiths’ roof.
The Smiths
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……

done:
2010.
• We had had the clothes ironed for the party.
• 15. The workmen are repairing The Smiths’ roof.
• The Smiths are having the roof repaired.

done:
• 16. Sarah needs a filling. She is going to visit the dentist as soon
as possible.
• Sarah ………………………………………………………………………………………

done:
as possible.
• Sarah is going to have her tooth filled.

done:
as possible.
• 17. The bricklayer is building our new country cottage.
• We are having our country cottage built.

done:
as possible.
• 18. An international cook will prepare the Blacks’ reception.
• The Blacks …………………………………………………………………………………

done:
as possible.
• The Blacks will have the reception prepared.

done:
as possible.
• 19. The photographer developed Meg’s summer photos.
• Meg ………………………………………………………………………………

done:
as possible.
• Meg had her summer photos developed.

done:
as possible.
• 20. My nails look terrible. I need a manicure.
• ………………………………………………………………………………

done:
as possible.
• 20. My nails look terrible. I need a manicure.
• I am going to have my nails polished.

Impersonal passive 23

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Impersonal passive 23