Grammar Practice in Context - David Bolton, Noel Goodey 1997
18 The passive (2) Other constructions
Quick reference
• We can use the -ing form in the passive. We use being + a past participle.
I enjoy being given presents. I don’t like being told what to do.
• With the following verbs, we can use the construction passive verb + infinitive with to: believe, consider, expect, fear, feel, find, intend, know, report, say, think, understand.
He's expected to arrive at 11.00. They’re said to be very rich.
• We can also use a perfect infinitive (to have had) in this construction.
The robbers are said to have stolen ₷I,000.
• We can use It + a passive verb + a that clause to talk about what people in general say, think or feel about a situation. We can use this construction with these verbs: agree, announce, decide, expect, fear, feel, find, know, report, say, suggest, think, understand.
It’s reported that 20 people died in the crash. It was felt that he was too old for the job.
• Note the two meanings of be supposed to.
a) Something is the general opinion of most people.
'Impulse’ is supposed to be a very good film.
b) Something should happen because it’s the rule or the plan.
You’re supposed to wear a seatbelt. We aren’t supposed to smoke. (This isn’t permitted.)
• When the following verbs have two objects (indirect and direct), it’s possible to have two passive sentences: give, lend, offer, owe, pay, promise, sell, send, show, teach, tell.
(Active: Somebody gave her a new car.)
Passive: She was given a new car. A new car was given to her.
(Active: Somebody showed me the photograph.)
Passive: I was shown the photograph. The photograph was shown to me.
(The first construction is more common.)
1 When Sally was 14 she often had to stay with her grandparents, who were very strict with her. She hated it. Add what Sally says, using a passive construction.
Example: They always treated her like a child. I hated being treated like a child.
1 They always told her to make her bed.
I couldn’t stand ...
2 They always gave her boring jobs to do.
I got tired of ...
3 They always sent her to the shop to buy her grandfather’s tobacco.
I got fed up with ...
4 They treated her like a servant.
I hated ...
5 They always shouted at her when she did something wrong.
I hated ...
6 They criticised her all the time.
I couldn’t stand ...
2 Amy Wyn lives alone. Not much is known about her. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word given.
Example: People believe she’s about 80. (believed) She's believed to be about 80.
1 People think she made a lot of money selling antique furniture. (thought)
She ...
2 Reports suggest that she’s got a priceless collection of antique jewellery. (reported)
She ...
3 (The other day the police stopped her for speeding.) They discovered she had £25,000 in her handbag, (found)
She ...
4 People say she was a very good tennis player when she was young. (said)
She ...
5 People believe that she played at Wimbledon. (believed)
She ...
3 George Foster is 55 and has had a heart attack. His doctor has told him that he must change his life-style if he wants to avoid another attack. This is his advice:
No coffee or tea.
I litre of water a day.
Plenty of exercise.
No fried foods.
No sugar.
George is not taking the doctor’s advice. Use forms of supposed to to remind him. Then rewrite his reply in a different way.
Example: I had a small glass of water yesterday. But you're supposed to drink I litre.
People say the water here is polluted. The water here is supposed to be polluted.
1 ’I fancy a nice cup of tea.’ ’But ...’
’Well, people say tea’s good for you.’ ’...’
2 ’And I’II have two spoonfuls of sugar in it.’ ’But ...’
’Well, people say sugar gives you energy.’ ’...’
3 ’I had two fried eggs for breakfast.’ ’But ...’
’Well, people say eggs provide protein.’ ’...’
4 ’I haven’t had any exercise this week.’ ’But ...’
’People say too much exercise is dangerous.’ ’...'
4 Bill Graham keeps 15 dogs in his small house. His neighbours want him to get rid of the dogs.
Write the following sentences in a different way, using a passive construction.
Example: The authorities have sent him three official letters of complaint.
He's been sent three letters of complaint.
1 They say they’ll find the dogs new homes. The dogs ...
2 They’ve promised him compensation. He ...
3 A man offered him a gun to shoot the dogs. He ...
4 Someone has sent him threatening letters. He ...