Form of the Passive:
We form the passive using be in an appropriate tense or form + the past participle of a transitive verb:
A small sum of money was stolen from the cash box.
They ought to have been punished more severely.
Having been beaten in the semifinal, she flew home the next day.
In spoken English, we sometimes use get instead of be in the passive:
They got told off for making so much noise.
However, get + -ed is more common with an active meaning similar to 'become' in phrases like get dressed, get married, etc.
Reasons for using the Passive:
In English, the topic or subject matter is commonly at the beginning of the sentence, and new ' information about the subject is normally at the end. In an active sentence, the 'agent' (the person or thing that performs the action) usually comes first and is the subject of the sentence:
Subject (Agent) Action Result
Olympiakos scored the first goal.
This active sentence is principally about Olympiakos.
In the passive, the result or thing affected by the action comes first and is the subject of the sentence:
Subject (Result) Action Agent
The first goal was scored by Olympiakos.
This passive sentence is principally about the goal.
We choose between active and passive because of the topic we are talking about, especially when reporting information.
An English football supporter, interested in the fortunes of the England team, is likely to report:
We got beaten in extra time.
A German supporter, more interested in his team, is likely to report:
We beat them in extra time.
Other reasons for using the passive include:
- the agent is unknown or obvious: I was born in 1982.
- the agent is 'people or things in general': Coffee will be made available after the meal.
- the agent is a long phrase: Helen was surprised by all the messages of sympathy that she received.
Some verbs cannot be used in the Continuous.
avoiding references to ourselves and making a statement impersonal:
We can't possibly complete this work overnight. becomes: This work can't possibly be completed overnight. (= the work is the problem, not us)
avoiding 'you' in orders and rules:
You must give in your application before the end of the week, becomes: All applications must be given in before the end of the week.
in factual writing when the focus is usually on events, achievements, etc. rather than agents:
Vaccination had been pioneered two hundred years earlier.
Not all be + -ed forms are passive. They may be adjectives:
The dog has been depressed since the TV broke down.
We avoid passive constructions with be being or been being, although they sometimes occur in spoken English:
Avoid: The road will have been being repaired for months, use They will have been repairing the road for months, or: The road will have been under repair for months.
Agents and objects with the passive
The Agent
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Not mentioning the agent
In most passive sentences we have no interest in who or what performs the action. We are interested in the action itself, who or what is affected by the action, or what is the result of it (see The Basics). In fact, only about 20% of passive sentences mention the agent: That window has been broken again!
Mentioning the agent
We mention the agent when we think the information is important, especially if we want to say more about it, for example with a relative clause:
I remember being taken to the fair by my father, who
rarely showed any interest in such things.
The survivors were picked out of the water by a cruise
liner which had heard their distress call.
The agent is usually introduced with by
Verbs with two onjects
Verbs that have two objects (usually a person and a thing) in the active usually have two passive forms because either of the objects can become the new subject:
They gave the award to an unknown actress.
(= active)
The award was given to an unknown actress.
(= passive)
An unknown actress was given the award.
. (= passive)
We usually add a preposition before the personal object. The preposition is usually to:
A note was sent to tlte university.
Sometimes we use for:
A slice of cake was cut for him.
We can use some verbs, e.g. allow, ask, cause, forgive, deny, without a preposition:
Permission was refused him.
All their sins were forgiven them. Access was denied him.
Ex. 1. Fill each of the gaps in the following newspaper extracts with one of the passive verb phrases below:
is deemed could soon befitted were charged has been held has finally been elected is expected being caused to be printed is auctioned being considered
1 High-tech 'leg-irons'............ on violent suspects arrested by the police, under plans............by chief constables.
2 Last week, police in Scotland called for the introduction of leg-restraints following concerns about the number of injuries............during struggles in the back of police cars and vans.
3 Four people............last night with public disorder offences after officers mounted dawn raids on suspected football hooligans.
4 Fareed Zakaria, founder of Newsweek,............ to the American Society of Magazine Editors' Hall of Fame.
5 A first-edition copy of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the first book............ in England,............ to raise at least £500,000 when it............ in July.
6 A British woman released early from an attempted murder sentence in the Unites States - a charge which she has always denied -............ in prison because she............ an illegal immigrant.
Ex.2. Add the appropriate extra information (a-e) to the passive sentences (1-5):
1 The news was leaked to the press by the minister...
2 The minister was attacked by protesters,...
3 I remember being sent a letter by a man in America...
4 The winning goal was scored by Fausto Ferrini...
5 A man was run over by a car...
a in his first appearance for the club.
b who had waited outside the building all day to voice their opposition to the policies.
c in a deliberate attempt to boost his popularity,
d who complained my article was prejudiced against his country,
e which witnesses said was being driven at very high speed.
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Ex.3. Where possible, rewrite each of the following sentences in two different ways, using a different subject each time. Some sentences may be re-written only one way:
1 The police showed the victim a picture of the suspect.
2 People used to sell the tourists fake antiques.
3 Why didn't they offer the customers a refund?
4 They didn't guarantee every participant a free lunch.
5 They reported the incident to the police.
6 People suggested to us that the Internet would be a good source of information.
7 They promised us full compensation if the scheme fell through.
8 The referee declared the boxing match a draw.
9 We'll give the new members of staff all the help they need. 10 The incident earned him the reputation of being unreliable.
. 4. Some of the sentences below contain errors. Correct them:
1. This famous singer is liked by everybody all over the country.
2. Chess is having been played everywhere.
3. After some really hard work the tree was fallen at last.
4. The suit was not fit so she had to give up the idea of buying it.
5. He is thought to have every right to be let do it.
6. In spite of all her efforts, the colours weren't become, alas!
7. She's just repaired her TV at the shop.
8. He is said to cut his hair at the barber's already.
9. She is believed to be resembled this famous actress, what's her name?
10.He is known to having a tooth taken out yesterday, have you heard?
Ex. 5. Translate the following:
1. . 2. . 3. . 4. . 5. . 6. . 7. . 8. . 9. . 10. '. 11. . 12. . 13. . 14. . 15. . 16. . 17. . 18. . 19. . 20. 1 . 21. . 22. . 23. , 24. . 25. '.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING EXERCISES: Do Exercises 3-4, pp.74-75 from the exercise book by V.Kaushanskaya.
II. The Subjunctive Mood
In sentences of unreal condition referring to the present or future, we use the verb in the Past Simple Tense in the subordinate clause and the mood auxiliary would plus Infinitive in the Principal clause:
e.g. Would it bother you if I opened the window?
If you helped me, I would complete this assignement in time.
The Subjunctive Mood can also be used in simple sentences:
e.g.If only he was (were)not so stubborn!
The same thought can be expressed through the Present Subjunctive that coincides with the form of the bare Infinitive:
e.g. If you be in London, I advise you to visit the National Gallery.
We can also express unreal condition referring to the present or future in some other ways:
e.g. 1. But for the rain, we should go to the country. , .
2. Id rather we left next Monday. -
3. Wed rather you arranged the party next week.- , .
4. I'd rather you didn't smoke !
5. Id rather take the bus to London - .
6. Id rather not play football on Saturday .
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7. Suppose he wrote to you, would you answer? , , ?
8. Ann would prefer to buy her own flat rather than rent one.- specific preference
9. I prefer watching videos to going to the cinema. general preference
The Subjunctive Mood is also used:
a) in adverbial clauses of purpose. Its introduced by the conjunctions so that, in order that and the mood auxiliary may(might):
e.g. She opens the window so that she may breathe fresh air.
b) in adverbial clauses of concession () with the conjunctions and connectives though, although, however, no matter, whatever, whoever
e.g. No matter how tired he may be he will go to the concert , .
Whatever exams he may take, he will always be successful.
Id like to do some good to your husband, whoever he may be. , .
c) in adverb.clauses of time and place with conjunctions whenever, wherever and mood auxil may:
e.g. Wherever they may live, they will always find friends.
Whenever you may come, you will always are welcome.
d) in adverbial clauses of comparison with conjunctions as if, as though:
e.g. She speaks to him as if he was her brother
e) in a predicative clause when the subject of the principal clause is expressed by an abstract noun: idea, wish, suggestion, aim, etc. In such clauses should is used:
e.g. One of the conditions was that I should go abroad.
f) in subject clauses after a principal clause of the type: Its necessary, important There should is also used: e.g. It is (was) important that he should come.
g) in object clauses:
1) after wish: I wish I were (was) a gypsy. , . !
2) if in the principal clause the predicate is expressed by the verb denoting fear, the subordinate clause is introduced by the conjunctions lest and mood auxiliary should:
e.g. She fears (feared) lest her secret should be discovered. , .
3) If in the principal clause we find verbs denoting order, suggestion, advice, desire, we use the Present Subjunctive in the subordinate clause:
e.g. He orders (ordered) that everything be ready in an hour.
He is (was) anxious that everybody come home in time.
Mrs. Linton insisted that Isabella go to bed.
In sentences of unreal condition referring to the past we usually use Past Perfect in the subordinate clause, would and the Perfect Infinitive in the principal clause:
e.g. If I had known about it before, I would have rung you up.
or Had I known about it before
You said the party was so boring yesterday. Why didn't you leave? If I had been you, I would have left earlier.
In object clauses after the verb wishwe can use:
a) the Past Simple if the wish refers to no particular time, to the present or future:
e.g. I wish I were (was) a girl again.
She wished she were (was) free and could go with him.
He wishes Chaplin was still alive.
Mary wishes she had enough money to go to London.
b) the Past Perfect if the wish refers to the past:
e.g. I wish I had learnt these rules long ago , .
Sometimes we use would in the subordinate clause. It's used in the sentences referring to the present or future if the subject of the subordinate clause differs from the subject of the principal clause:
e.g. I wish you would stay with me.
Would is usually used to express request or annoyance:
e.g. I wish this boy would take my luggage. , .
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I wish this man would mind his own business , .
Ex.1. Fill in the correct form of the verbs in brackets and say what type of conditional each sentence contains:
1 If you had followed the directions correctly, you (not/get) lost.
2 If you shout, you (wake up) the baby.
3 If the gas board workers..... (detect) the leak, there wouldn't have been an explosion.
4............................... If the customer (follow) the shop assistant's advice, the dress wouldn't have shrunk.
5 If the rescue operation hadn't been carried out quickly, the residents of the building (not/be saved)
6........................................... Should you smell smoke, (call) the fire brigade.
7 If there hadn't been the strong winds and heavy rain, the ship (not/crash) onto the rocks.
8 If they....... (not/start) a massive cleaning operation immediately, there will be serious damage to sea-life and birds.
9........................... Supposing he (not/repair) the engine, would you have fixed it yourself?
10................... If I (be) a pilot, I would fly around the world.
11...................... If you (watch) the 8:30 news, you would have known about the hurricane.
12...................... Even if I (see) her, I wouldn't have remembered to give her your message.
13........................... If he (be paid) on time, he could have paid his bills.
14................................................... If she hadn't eaten so much cake, she (not/be) sick last night.
15....................................... Supposing your car (be stolen ) what would you do?
16................................................... They won't sign the contract unless the lawyer (check) it first.
Ex.2 Fill in the blanks below with the correct form of the verb:
1. It's important that she (remember) to take her medicine twice a day.
2. I suggest that Frank (read) the directions carefully before assembling the bicycle. He doesn't want the wheels to fall off while he is riding down a hill
3. Mrs. Finkelstein demanded that the heater (repair) immediately. Her apartment was freezing.
4. It's vital that the United States (focus) on improving its public education system. What we do now will affect our country for generations to come.
5. The monk insisted that the tourists (enter) the temple until they had removed their shoes.
6. I am not going to sit here and let her insult me. I demand that she immediately (apologize) for what she just said.
7. Judy asked that we (attend) her graduation ceremony next week.
8. Was it really necessary that (sit) I there watching you the entire time you were rehearsing for the play? It was really boring watching you repeat the scenes over and over again.
9. It is important to remember that Janine (think) very differently from you. She may not agree to the changes you have made in the organization of the company.
10. It's a little difficult to find the restaurant. I propose that we all (drive) together so that nobody gets lost along the way.
11. The woman insisted that the lost child (take) to store's information desk so his parents could be paged.
12. The nutritionist recommended that Sally (reduce) her daily fat intake.
13. The environmental leader felt it was extremely important that the people of the city (allow) to voice their concerns over the new hotel being built on the bay.
14. She told me that the government (regulate) the airline industry. I don't know if that is true.
15. The sign at the pool recommended that you (swim) after eating a large meal.
16. It is necessary that a life guard (monitor) the summing pool while the children are taking their swimming lessons.
17. The sun is scorching today. I suggest you (put) on sunblock immediately before you get a sun burn.
18. John insists that Sarah (invite) to the wedding; otherwise he will not attend.
19. I think it's an interesting fact that she (come) from Estonia.
20. It is imperative that the world (work) towards a solution to global warming before the weather patterns of the world are disrrupted irreparably.
Ex.3. Rewrite the following sentences using inversion:
1 If you should need any help, ask Mr Benson.
2 if you had taken the short cut through the forest, you would have saved time.
3 If Mary had checked her tyres beforehand, she would have noticed that they weren't safe.
4 If Mr Johnson were here, I would speak to him.
5 If Evan had written me a letter, I would have known that he'd moved house.
Ex.4 After each sentence, select the verb or verb string that best completes that sentence. Caution: the subjunctive form will not be the best choice in all sentences:
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1. It is very important that all employees _______________ in their proper uniforms before 6:30 a.m.
A. are dressed
B. will be dressed
C. be dressed
2. I wish my brother _________ here.
A. were
B. was
3. The coach insisted that Fabio _______ the center position, even though he's much too short for that position.
A. plays
B. play
4. Evelyn Pumita moved that the meeting _______________.
A. was adjourned
B. be adjourned
5. My mother would know what to do. Oh, would that she _______ here with us now!
A. were
B. was
6. If only Jughead ______ a little more responsible in his choice of courses!
A. was
B. were
7. If Mrs. Lincoln ________ ill that night, the Lincolns would not have gone to Ford Theatre..
A. were
B. had been
8. Her employees treated Mrs. Greenblatt as though she _______ a queen.
A. was
B. were
9. If his parents ____________ more careful in his upbringing, Holden Caulfield would have been quite different.
A. had been
B. were
10. I wish I _________ better today.
A. feel
B. felt
COMMUNICATIVE ACTIVITIES: Think of the things you would do if 1) a fire broke out in the building; 2) you were late for the classes; 3) you won 1 million hryvnyas.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING EXERCISES: Do Exercises 2, 9, pp.93,99 from the exercise book by V.Kaushanskaya.
