3. REASONS FOR USING THE PASSIVE
When we want to talk about an action and/or
the agent is not known, unimportant or obvious.
4. REASONS FOR USING THE PASSIVE
When we want to talk about an action and/or
the agent is not known, unimportant or obvious.
The results have not been published yet.
5. REASONS FOR USING THE PASSIVE
When we want to talk about an action and/or
the agent is not known, unimportant or obvious.
The results have not been published yet.
She has been sacked.
10. REASONS FOR USING THE PASSIVE
To keep talking about the same person or thing.
11. REASONS FOR USING THE PASSIVE
To keep talking about the same person or thing.
The PM arrived back in London last night and was
immediately besieged by reporters.
27. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
HAVE/GET SOMETHING DONE:
to describe something which is done for the subject
by somebody else
28. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
HAVE/GET SOMETHING DONE:
to describe something which is done for the subject
by somebody else
I had the car mended yesterday.= Someone
mended my car for me
29. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
HAVE/GET SOMETHING DONE:
to describe something which is done for the subject
by somebody else
I had the car mended yesterday.= Someone
mended my car for me
I’m having my flat painted =
Somebody is painting my flat for me
32. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
HAVE/GET SOMETHING DONE:
also to describe something unpleasant or
unexpected done to the subject.
I got my passport stolen.
43. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
PASSIVE -ING FORMS AND INFINITIVES
Having finished the match, we went out to
celebrate. (ACTIVE)
44. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
PASSIVE -ING FORMS AND INFINITIVES
Having finished the match, we went out to
celebrate. (ACTIVE)
The match having been finished, we went
out to celebrate. (PASSIVE)
47. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
SUBJECT + VERB (SAY, THINK, FEEL, EXPECT,
ETC.) + NOUN CLAUSE OBJECT
They say that he knows some very influential people.
48. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
SUBJECT + VERB (SAY, THINK, FEEL, EXPECT,
ETC.) + NOUN CLAUSE OBJECT
They say that he knows some very influential people.
It is said that he knows some very influential people.
49. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
SUBJECT + VERB (SAY, THINK, FEEL, EXPECT,
ETC.) + NOUN CLAUSE OBJECT
They say that he knows some very influential people.
It is said that he knows some very influential people.
He is said to know very influential people.
52. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
SUBJECT + VERB (SAY, THINK, FEEL, EXPECT,
ETC.) + NOUN CLAUSE OBJECT
They say that he knows some very influential people.
53. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
SUBJECT + VERB (SAY, THINK, FEEL, EXPECT,
ETC.) + NOUN CLAUSE OBJECT
They say that he knows some very influential people.
He is said to know very influential people.
54. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
SUBJECT + VERB (SAY, THINK, FEEL, EXPECT,
ETC.) + NOUN CLAUSE OBJECT
They say that he knows some very influential people.
He is said to know very influential people.
They say that he knew some very influential people.
55. PASSIVE VOICE: SPECIAL CASES
SUBJECT + VERB (SAY, THINK, FEEL, EXPECT,
ETC.) + NOUN CLAUSE OBJECT
They say that he knows some very influential people.
He is said to know very influential people.
They say that he knew some very influential people.
He is said to have known some very influential people
57. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
Everyone knows that doing exercise is good for your health.
58. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
Everyone knows that doing exercise is good for your health.
Doing exercise is known to be good for your health.
59. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
Everyone knows that doing exercise is good for your health.
Doing exercise is known to be good for your health.
People think that neither side wanted war.
60. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
Everyone knows that doing exercise is good for your health.
Doing exercise is known to be good for your health.
People think that neither side wanted war.
Neither side is thought to have wanted war.
61. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
Everyone knows that doing exercise is good for your health.
Doing exercise is known to be good for your health.
People think that neither side wanted war.
Neither side is thought to have wanted war.
Everyone thought that the house had been demolished.
62. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
Everyone knows that doing exercise is good for your health.
Doing exercise is known to be good for your health.
People think that neither side wanted war.
Neither side is thought to have wanted war.
Everyone thought that the house had been demolished.
The house was thought to have been demolished
64. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
People say that he lost 2 million €.
65. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
People say that he lost 2 million €.
He is said to have lost 2 million €.
66. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
People say that he lost 2 million €.
He is said to have lost 2 million €.
They think that the painting was stolen at midnight.
67. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
People say that he lost 2 million €.
He is said to have lost 2 million €.
They think that the painting was stolen at midnight.
The painting is thought to have been stolen at midnight.
68. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
People say that he lost 2 million €.
He is said to have lost 2 million €.
They think that the painting was stolen at midnight.
The painting is thought to have been stolen at midnight.
It is believed that the Chinese invented gunpowder.
69. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
People say that he lost 2 million €.
He is said to have lost 2 million €.
They think that the painting was stolen at midnight.
The painting is thought to have been stolen at midnight.
It is believed that the Chinese invented gunpowder.
The Chinese are believed to have invented gunpowder.
71. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
We will send you your results soon.
72. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
We will send you your results soon.
You will be sent your results soon.
73. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
We will send you your results soon.
You will be sent your results soon.
Someone has tampered with the lock of the front door.
74. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
We will send you your results soon.
You will be sent your results soon.
Someone has tampered with the lock of the front door.
The lock of the front door has been tampered with.
75. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
We will send you your results soon.
You will be sent your results soon.
Someone has tampered with the lock of the front door.
The lock of the front door has been tampered with.
You ought to have paid this bill weeks ago.
76. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING YOUR NEW VERSION WITH
THE WORDS UNDERLINED
We will send you your results soon.
You will be sent your results soon.
Someone has tampered with the lock of the front door.
The lock of the front door has been tampered with.
You ought to have paid this bill weeks ago.
This bill ought to have been paid weeks ago.
77. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
He was upset to discover he dropped from the team.
Have you ever had your house broken into?
He got his application turned down.
Metal is expanded when heated.
I don’t like been cheated.
78. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
He was upset to discover he dropped from the team.
Have you ever had your house broken into?
He got his application turned down.
Metal is expanded when heated.
I don’t like been cheated.
79. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
He was upset to discover he dropped from the team.
Have you ever had your house broken into?
He got his application turned down.
Metal is expanded when heated.
I don’t like been cheated.
80. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
He was upset to discover he dropped from the team.
Have you ever had your house broken into?
He got his application turned down.
Metal is expanded when heated.
I don’t like been cheated.
81. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
He was upset to discover he dropped from the team.
Have you ever had your house broken into?
He got his application turned down.
Metal is expanded when heated.
I don’t like been cheated.
82. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
He was upset to discover he dropped from the team.
Have you ever had your house broken into?
He got his application turned down.
Metal is expanded when heated.
I don’t like been cheated.
83. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
Nothing interesting was happened.
He really wanted to be accepted in the club.
He is being interviewed by someone.
You are not be allowed to smoke here.
Real Oviedo beaten again by Sporting.
84. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
Nothing interesting was happened.
He really wanted to be accepted in the club.
He is being interviewed by someone.
You are not be allowed to smoke here.
Real Oviedo beaten again by Sporting.
85. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
Nothing interesting was happened.
He really wanted to be accepted in the club.
He is being interviewed by someone.
You are not be allowed to smoke here.
Real Oviedo beaten again by Sporting.
86. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
Nothing interesting was happened.
He really wanted to be accepted in the club.
He is being interviewed by someone.
You are not be allowed to smoke here.
Real Oviedo beaten again by Sporting.
87. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
Nothing interesting was happened.
He really wanted to be accepted in the club.
He is being interviewed by someone.
You are not be allowed to smoke here.
Real Oviedo beaten again by Sporting.
88. PASSIVE VOICE: EXERCISES
Are these sentences right or wrong?
Nothing interesting was happened.
He really wanted to be accepted in the club.
He is being interviewed by someone.
You are not be allowed to smoke here.
Real Oviedo beaten again by Sporting.
Editor's Notes
In this example you are emphasizing that it was your grandmother and nobody else who painted the picture.
In this example you are emphasizing that it was your grandmother and nobody else who painted the picture.
This is very common in newspapers
This is very common in newspapers
Transitive verb with direct and indirect object. the most common is the second, where the indirect object becomes the subject of the passive.
Transitive verb with direct and indirect object. the most common is the second, where the indirect object becomes the subject of the passive.
Transitive verb with direct and indirect object. the most common is the second, where the indirect object becomes the subject of the passive.
Transitive verb with direct and indirect object. the most common is the second, where the indirect object becomes the subject of the passive.
We can use this structure in all tenses. GET is usually more informal then HAVE.
We can use this structure in all tenses. GET is usually more informal then HAVE.
We can use this structure in all tenses. GET is usually more informal then HAVE.
We can use this structure in all tenses. GET is usually more informal then HAVE.
Get is preferred in this case
Get is preferred in this case
Get is preferred in this case
Both sentences mean the same. Infinitives and -ing forms can also be used in the passive
Both sentences mean the same. Infinitives and -ing forms can also be used in the passive
Both sentences mean the same. Infinitives and -ing forms can also be used in the passive
-ing form (active) / being + past participle (passive)
-ing form (active) / being + past participle (passive)
-ing form (active) / being + past participle (passive)
perfect -ing form (active) / Having been + past participle (passive)
perfect -ing form (active) / Having been + past participle (passive)
perfect -ing form (active) / Having been + past participle (passive)
The subject of the noun clause (that-clause) can be made the subject of the whole sentence in the passive. Then the verb in the noun clause takes the infinitive form.
The subject of the noun clause (that-clause) can be made the subject of the whole sentence in the passive. Then the verb in the noun clause takes the infinitive form.
The subject of the noun clause (that-clause) can be made the subject of the whole sentence in the passive. Then the verb in the noun clause takes the infinitive form.
The subject of the noun clause (that-clause) can be made the subject of the whole sentence in the passive. Then the verb in the noun clause takes the infinitive form.
The form of the infinitive depends on whether or not the time reference of the verb in the noun clause is the same as that of the verb in the introductory (main) clause. If the time reference is the same, use the “present” infinitive. If the verb in the noun clause has a time reference anterior to that of the verb in the main clause, use the “perfect” infinitive
The form of the infinitive depends on whether or not the time reference of the verb in the noun clause is the same as that of the verb in the introductory (main) clause. If the time reference is the same, use the “present” infinitive. If the verb in the noun clause has a time reference anterior to that of the verb in the main clause, use the “perfect” infinitive
The form of the infinitive depends on whether or not the time reference of the verb in the noun clause is the same as that of the verb in the introductory (main) clause. If the time reference is the same, use the “present” infinitive. If the verb in the noun clause has a time reference anterior to that of the verb in the main clause, use the “perfect” infinitive
The form of the infinitive depends on whether or not the time reference of the verb in the noun clause is the same as that of the verb in the introductory (main) clause. If the time reference is the same, use the “present” infinitive. If the verb in the noun clause has a time reference anterior to that of the verb in the main clause, use the “perfect” infinitive
The form of the infinitive depends on whether or not the time reference of the verb in the noun clause is the same as that of the verb in the introductory (main) clause. If the time reference is the same, use the “present” infinitive. If the verb in the noun clause has a time reference anterior to that of the verb in the main clause, use the “perfect” infinitive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. He was upset to discover he had been dropped / was dropped from the team.
2. right. Important not to forget the preposition at the end.
3. have/get sth done. Here referring to something unpleasant.
4. Metal expands
5. I don’t like being cheated. -ing forms can also be used in the passive
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
1. Happens does not appear in the passive because it is an intransitive verb.
2. Infinitive in the passive.
3. The agent should be omitted since we don’t know who he is.
4. be allowed to is already a passive expression.
5. Correct: You can leave out BE in headlines.
