PASSIVEPASSIVE
SENTENCESSENTENCES

1.1. Basic PassiveBasic Passive
2.2. Passive with TWO ObjectsPassive with TWO Objects
3.3. Causative HAVE/GETCausative HAVE/GET
4.4. Passive with Reporting VerbsPassive with Reporting Verbs

We use passive voice…We use passive voice…
 When we are more interested inWhen we are more interested in thethe
action itselfaction itself and it isand it is not sonot so
important who or whatimportant who or what did thedid the
actionaction
 It’s often used inIt’s often used in written Englishwritten English,,
speciallyspecially in scientific texts andin scientific texts and
newspapers.newspapers.

1. BASIC FORM (Changes)1. BASIC FORM (Changes)
SubjectSubject ++ VerbVerb ++ ObjectObject
SubjectSubject ++ Passive VerbPassive Verb ++ by ….by ….
(agent)(agent)
(be + past participle)(be + past participle)

FORM (Changes)FORM (Changes)
HeHe wrotewrote the booksthe books
The booksThe books were writtenwere written by himby him
wrotewrote: past simple of the verb “write”: past simple of the verb “write”
so the passive verb:so the passive verb:
be in the past simple (was/were) + p.participle of “write”be in the past simple (was/were) + p.participle of “write”
the books, plural were + writtenthe books, plural were + written

STEP BY STEPSTEP BY STEP
 ActiveActive:: Liz wrote an email an hour ago.Liz wrote an email an hour ago.
1.1. Identify the object:Identify the object: an emailan email
2.2. Start the sentence with it:Start the sentence with it: An email…An email…
3.3. Identify the tense:Identify the tense: wrotewrote →→ past simplepast simple
4.4. Put the verb “be” in the same tense:Put the verb “be” in the same tense: was/werewas/were
5.5. Add the past participle of the main verb:Add the past participle of the main verb: writtenwritten
6.6. Decide if you need to add “by + agent”:Decide if you need to add “by + agent”: by Lizby Liz..
7.7. Add the rest of the elements:Add the rest of the elements: an hour agoan hour ago..
 PassivePassive:: An email was written by Liz an hour ago.An email was written by Liz an hour ago.

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES
1/1/TheyThey builtbuilt this housethis house in 1466in 1466
2/2/ This houseThis house was builtwas built in 1466in 1466
1/1/ Channel islandersChannel islanders speakspeak French & EnglishFrench & English
2/2/ French & EnglishFrench & English are spokenare spoken by Channel islandersby Channel islanders
1/1/ This bookThis book will changewill change your lifeyour life
2/2/ Your lifeYour life will be changedwill be changed byby this bookthis book
1/1/ TheyThey have writtenhave written the lettersthe letters
2/2/ The lettersThe letters have been writtenhave been written

ExamplesExamples
1/1/ TheyThey can’t answercan’t answer your questionyour question
2/2/ Your questionYour question can’t be answeredcan’t be answered
1/1/ SomeoneSomeone had to takehad to take herher to hospital after thisto hospital after this
2/2/ SheShe had to be takenhad to be taken to hospital after the crashto hospital after the crash
1/1/ TheyThey shouldn’t allowshouldn’t allow the childrenthe children to do these thingsto do these things
2/2/ The childrenThe children shouldn’t be allowedshouldn’t be allowed to do these thingsto do these things
1/1/ SomeoneSomeone must tellmust tell himhim if we want him to knowif we want him to know
2/2/ HeHe must be toldmust be told if we want him to knowif we want him to know

ExamplesExamples
1/1/ The policeThe police haven’t arrestedhaven’t arrested the robbersthe robbers yetyet..
2/2/ The robbersThe robbers haven’t been arrestedhaven’t been arrested yetyet..
1/1/ The judgeThe judge didn’t convictdidn’t convict the defendantthe defendant..
2/2/ The defendantThe defendant wasn’t convictedwasn’t convicted by the judgeby the judge..
1/1/ TheyThey hadn’t thrownhadn’t thrown the gunthe gun to the riverto the river..
2/2/ The gunThe gun hadn’t been thrownhadn’t been thrown to the riverto the river..
1/1/ The policeThe police aren’t questioningaren’t questioning the witnessthe witness..
2/2/ The witnessThe witness isn’t being questionedisn’t being questioned by the policeby the police..

ExamplesExamples
1/1/ DidDid anybodyanybody hackhack the company’s computerthe company’s computer??
2/2/ WasWas the company’s computerthe company’s computer hackedhacked??
1/1/ DoDo burglarsburglars oftenoften break intobreak into houseshouses in this areain this area??
2/2/ AreAre houseshouses oftenoften broken intobroken into in this areain this area??
1/1/ WhatWhat mustmust wewe dodo about thisabout this??
2/2/ WhatWhat must be donemust be done about thisabout this??
1/1/ WhereWhere diddid theythey parkpark the carthe car??
2/2/ WhereWhere waswas the carthe car parkedparked??
1/1/ WillWill anyoneanyone telltell himhim about the accidentabout the accident??
2/2/ WillWill hehe be toldbe told about the accidentabout the accident??

Changes withChanges with byby
 II →→ by meby me
 YouYou →→ by youby you
 HeHe →→ by himby him
 SheShe →→ by herby her
 ItIt →→ by itby it
 WeWe →→ by usby us
 TheyThey →→ by themby them

2. PASSIVE WITH TWO OBJECT2. PASSIVE WITH TWO OBJECT
 They didn’t giveThey didn’t give AnnAnn the booksthe books..
1.1. AnnAnn wasn’t givenwasn’t given the booksthe books (by them)(by them)
2.2. The booksThe books weren’t givenweren’t given toto AnnAnn (by(by
them)them)
It is more common to begin the passive sentences with theIt is more common to begin the passive sentences with the
indirect object of the active sentence, that is, the 1st optionindirect object of the active sentence, that is, the 1st option
Indirect
Object.
Direct Object

PASSIVE WITH TWO OBJECTSPASSIVE WITH TWO OBJECTS
 Common verbs:Common verbs:
Ask, Give, Offer, Pay, Show, Award,Ask, Give, Offer, Pay, Show, Award,
Lend, Promise, Send, Tell.Lend, Promise, Send, Tell.

ExamplesExamples
1/1/ TheyThey have givenhave given MaryMary a prizea prize..
2/2/ MaryMary has been givenhas been given a prizea prize..
3/3/ A prizeA prize has been givenhas been given to Maryto Mary..
1/1/ TheyThey offeredoffered HarryHarry a good joba good job..
2/2/ HarryHarry was offeredwas offered a good joba good job..
3/3/ A good jobA good job was offeredwas offered to Harryto Harry..
1/1/ MaryMary might have sentmight have sent the letterthe letter to Marcusto Marcus..
2/2/ MarcusMarcus might have been sentmight have been sent the letterthe letter by Maryby Mary..
3/3/ The letterThe letter might have been sentmight have been sent to Marcusto Marcus by Maryby Mary..

By + agentBy + agent
Because we most often use passive verbs to describe situations whenBecause we most often use passive verbs to describe situations when
the agent is not the primary focus,the agent is not the primary focus, we usually do not include thewe usually do not include the
agentagent (by noun phrase) in passive sentences.(by noun phrase) in passive sentences.
HoweverHowever,, sometimessometimes it isit is necessarynecessary to include the agent:to include the agent:
When the agent gives us additional new informationWhen the agent gives us additional new information
Many important scientific discoveries have been made by women.Many important scientific discoveries have been made by women.
When information about the agent is too important to beWhen information about the agent is too important to be
omittedomitted
Radioactivity was discovered by Marie Curie in 1903.Radioactivity was discovered by Marie Curie in 1903.
When the agent is surprising or unexpectedWhen the agent is surprising or unexpected
This picture was painted by a monkey.This picture was painted by a monkey.

3. CAUSATIVE HAVE/GET3. CAUSATIVE HAVE/GET
HAVE/GETHAVE/GET ++ ObjectObject ++ Past ParticiplePast Participle
HAVE/ GETHAVE/ GET somethingsomething donedone
 Arranging for or paying forArranging for or paying for somebodysomebody to doto do somethingsomething
for youfor you. (Get is more informal).. (Get is more informal).
 The subject of a sentenceThe subject of a sentence isn'tisn't who does the action ofwho does the action of
the sentence.the sentence.

3. CAUSATIVE HAVE/GET3. CAUSATIVE HAVE/GET
 Jim wants to paint his house, so heJim wants to paint his house, so he
buys tins of paint and brushes, goesbuys tins of paint and brushes, goes
up his ladder and starts painting it.up his ladder and starts painting it.
Jim is painting his house.Jim is painting his house.
≠≠
 Tom wants to change the colour ofTom wants to change the colour of
his house, so he hires painters to dohis house, so he hires painters to do
that job.that job.
Tom is having his house painted.Tom is having his house painted.

STEP BY STEPSTEP BY STEP
1.1. The person who employs:The person who employs: TomTom
2.2. The verb “have” in the suitableThe verb “have” in the suitable
tense:tense: is havingis having
3.3. The object of the action:The object of the action: his househis house
4.4. The action verb in past participleThe action verb in past participle
form:form: paintedpainted
TomTom is havingis having his househis house paintedpainted..

CAUSATIVE HAVE/GETCAUSATIVE HAVE/GET
HeHe hadhad his hairhis hair cutcut
SheShe gotgot her carpether carpet cleanedcleaned
WeWe have hadhave had our carour car mendedmended
TheyThey gotgot their booktheir book translatedtranslated
I reallyI really must getmust get my eyesmy eyes testedtested

 Situation:Situation:
The mechanic has fixed my mother's carThe mechanic has fixed my mother's car
 Causative form:Causative form:
My motherMy mother has hadhas had her carher car fixedfixed (my mother hasn't fixed the(my mother hasn't fixed the
car herself)car herself)
 Situation:Situation:
The mechanic will fix my mother's car next weekThe mechanic will fix my mother's car next week
 Causative:Causative:
My motherMy mother will havewill have her carher car fixedfixed next weeknext week
 Situation:Situation:
The mechanic is going to fix my mother's carThe mechanic is going to fix my mother's car
 Causative:Causative:
My motherMy mother is going to haveis going to have her carher car fixedfixed

ExercisesExercises
 Rewrite these sentences using have or get.
1. The mechanic changed the oil in my car.
________________________________________________
2. The hairdresser cut my hair in a completely different style.
________________________________________________
3. A decorator has repainted our house.
________________________________________________
4. A friend of mine, who’s an electrician, is going to repair my DVD
player next week.
________________________________________________
5. My jacket is being cleaned at a specialist cleaner’s.
________________________________________________
6. The town hall has just been rebuilt for the council.
________________________________________________

Exercises (Exercises (AnswersAnswers))
 Rewrite these sentences using have or get.
1. The mechanic changed the oil in my car.
I had the oil in my car changed.
2. The hairdresser cut my hair in a completely different style.
I had my hair cut in a completely different style.
3. A decorator has repainted our house.
We have had our house repainted (by a decorator).
4. A friend of mine, who’s an electrician, is going to repair my DVD player
next week.
I am going to have my DVD player repaired next week by a friend of mine,
who’s an electrician.
5. Sally’s jacket is being cleaned at a specialist cleaner’s.
Sally is having her jacket cleaned at a specialist cleaner’s.
6. The town hall has just been rebuilt for the council.
The council has/have just had the town hall rebuilt.

4. Passive with Reporting Verbs4. Passive with Reporting Verbs
 Verbs like: Believe, Think, Consider, Say, Report,Verbs like: Believe, Think, Consider, Say, Report,
Know, Expect, Feel, Understand, Hope, AcceptKnow, Expect, Feel, Understand, Hope, Accept
 There areThere are two waystwo ways of transforming these sentencesof transforming these sentences
from active to passive:from active to passive:
People say that Mary is 108 years old.People say that Mary is 108 years old.
1/ It is said that Mary is 108 years old1/ It is said that Mary is 108 years old
2/ Mary is said to be 108 years old2/ Mary is said to be 108 years old

Reporting VerbsReporting Verbs
 1st Option:1st Option:
IT +passive verb + complete
subordinate sentence without
changes
1.1. PeoplePeople saysay that Mary is 108 years old.that Mary is 108 years old.
It is said that Mary is 108 years old
2.2. PeoplePeople saidsaid that Mary was 108 years old.that Mary was 108 years old.
It was said that Mary was 108 years old

Reporting VerbsReporting Verbs
 2nd Option2nd Option
Subordinate subject + verb passive + subordinate
active verb in INFINITIVE
1.1. PeoplePeople saysay ((presentpresent)) thatthat MaryMary isis ((presentpresent)) 108 years108 years
old.old.
Mary is said to be 108 years old
2.2. PeoplePeople saidsaid ((pastpast)) thatthat MaryMary waswas ((pastpast)) 108 years old.108 years old.
Mary was said to have been 108 years old
3.3. PeoplePeople saysay ((presentpresent)) thatthat MaryMary waswas ((pastpast)) 108 years108 years
old.old.
Mary is said to have been 108 years old

ExamplesExamples
1.1. PeoplePeople believebelieve thatthat PaulPaul is livingis living in Parisin Paris
 ItIt is believedis believed thatthat PaulPaul is livingis living in Parisin Paris
 PaulPaul is belivedis belived to be livingto be living in Parisin Paris
2.2. TheyThey expectexpect thatthat the strikesthe strikes will beginwill begin tomorrowtomorrow
 ItIt is expectedis expected thatthat the strikesthe strikes will beginwill begin tomorrowtomorrow
 The strikesThe strikes are expectedare expected to beginto begin tomorrowtomorrow
3.3. TheyThey allegeallege thatthat hehe stolestole $100$100
 ItIt is allegedis alleged thatthat hehe stolestole $100$100
 HeHe is allegedis alleged to have stolento have stolen $100$100

ExamplesExamples
4.4. TheyThey knowknow thatthat the picturethe picture was paintedwas painted by Casparby Caspar
David Friedrich.David Friedrich.
 ItIt is knownis known thatthat the picturethe picture was paintedwas painted by Casparby Caspar
David Friedrich.David Friedrich.
 The pictureThe picture is knownis known to have been paintedto have been painted by Casparby Caspar
David Friedrich.David Friedrich.
5.5. TheyThey assumedassumed thatthat LucyLucy had lefthad left the day before.the day before.
 ItIt was assumedwas assumed thatthat LucyLucy had lefthad left the day before.the day before.
 LucyLucy was assumedwas assumed to have leftto have left the day before.the day before.
6.6. EverybodyEverybody thoughtthought thatthat the organisersthe organisers had beenhad been
preparingpreparing for days.for days.
 ItIt was thoughtwas thought thatthat the organisersthe organisers had beenhad been
preparingpreparing for days.for days.
 The organisersThe organisers were thoughtwere thought to have been preparingto have been preparing
for days.for days.