UNIT 7: PASSIVE STRUCTURE

I. When is the passive structure used?

1. When we don’t know the subject The cake has been cut.
(the doer of the action).

2. When the doer of the action is An order form can be found on

“people in general”. page 2.

(people can find an order form on

page 2)
3. When the subject (the doer of the Many houses were destroyed
action) is obvious. during the Syrian Civil War.

4. When a process or procedure is Black coffee is mixed with milk to

described. make white coffee.

5. In reporting. He is said to be the winner of the

game.

Note: When we want to mention the The Queen is cutting a cake.

doer of the action, we use the active
structure.

II. Forming a passive structure

1. Formation

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 Note: The following agents should be omitted in passives.
- Objective pronouns: me, you, him, her, it, us, them
- Common nouns: people, police, men, …
- Indefinite pronouns: everyone/everybody, someone/somebody, anyone/anybody, no
one/nobody

2. Verbs which do not allow passive transformation

Intransitive work, live, go, arrive, …… I live in Bien Hoa.

verbs He works as a teacher.
Linking verbs be, seem, look, stay, remain, taste, smell, … She is a nurse.
They seem tired.
Verbs of have, belong, own, possess, owe, … I have a car.
possession This car belongs to me.
Verbs of measure, take, cost, weigh, … This window measures 1m by 3m.
measurement This book costs 20,000VND.
Verbs of equal resemble, marry, … John married Ann last year.
reciprocity He resembles his father.

3. Verbs which allow passive transformation

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 Transitive
Active Passive Other verbs
Verbs
A cake is being cut by play, drive, prepare,
V+O The Queen is cutting a cake.
the Queen. repair, …
We were given that
V + IO + DO
Alice gave us that vase. vase (by Alice). award, hand, lend, offer,
or
send, throw, ask, read,
V + DO +
Alice gave that vase to us. That vase was given to teach, …
prep. + IO
us (by Alice).
I was explained the announce, demonstrate,
He explained me the problem.
V + DO + problem. describe, introduce,
He explained the problem to
prep. + IO The problem was mention, propose, report,
me.
explained to me. suggest, …
appoint, declare, make,
V+O+ She was elected
They elected her president. nominate, vote, call,
complement president.
name, title.
V + O + bare They have made him return He has been made to feel, hear, help, observe,
inf. the money. return the money. see
He is looked after (by carry out (= put into
two- and Kathy looks after him.
Kathy). practice), disapprove of,
three-word They put the accident down
The accident was put hold over (= delay), talk
Verbs to bad luck.
down to bad luck. down to (= patronize).
brush up on (= revise),
cast (your mind) back (=
two- and
We came up against a A problem was come try to remember), get
three-word
problem. (=encounter) up against. (something) down (=
Verbs
write), take after (=
resemble)
two- and I put out a hand to steady A hand was put out to + call (someone) up:
three-word myself. steady myself. = ordered to join the
Verbs They put out the fire. The fire was put out. army, etc.: passive
possible
= telephone: no passive
+ call (someone) back:
= ask to return: passive
possible
= telephone: no passive
+ let in
= allow into a place:
passive possible
= allow rain, etc. in: no
passive
+ let out:
= allow to leave: passive
possible

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 = let out a sound: no
passive
The monkey was seen bring, catch, hear, find,
V+O+ They saw the monkey
climbing over the keep, notice, observe,
Ving climbing over the fence.
fence. send, show
advise, allow, ask,
Peter has been taught believe, consider, expect,
V + O + to- Mr Price has taught Peter to
to sing (by Mr Price) feel, instruct, mean,
inf. sing for many years.
for many years. order, require, tell,
understand
(can't) bear, hate, love,
V + O + to- Tom was liked to be
Susan liked Tom to be there. need, prefer, want, and
inf. there.
wish.
appear, begin, come,
Fresh pasta started to
V + to-inf. + continue, seem, tend,
Supermarkets started to sell be sold by
O agree, aim, arrange,
fresh pasta only in the 1990s. supermarkets only in
attempt, hope, refuse,
the 1990s.
want.

 Note: When the subject in the active sentence is “no one, nobody, nothing”, the verb in the
passive sentence must be in negative form.
Ex: No one believes him => He isn’t believed.

III. Positions of adverbs in passive voice

Kind of
Position Examples
adverbs
Adverbs of by O + adv She gave me a ticket yesterday.
time => I was given a ticket by her yesterday.

Adverbs of adv + by O His father took him home.

place => He was taken home by his father.

Adverbs of adv + (main) V I did my exercises carefully.

manner (main) V + adv => My exercises were carefully done.
=> My exercises were done carefully.

Adverbs of aux + adv + V My husband always kisses me on the Valentine’s day.

frequency (aux: be, can, will, => I was always kissed by my husband on the Valentine’s day.
…)

IV. Some special forms of passive voice

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 1. Sentences with verbs of reporting: say, think, believe, rumor, report, understand, consider,
know, …
Active
Tenses & Forms Examples
passive
Active Sa + Va + (that) + Sb + Vb People think that 13 is an unlucky number.
(Va, Vb:
Simple 13 is thought to be an unlucky number.
It + be + PP + that + Sb + Vb
present) Passive It is thought that 13 is an unlucky number.
Sb + be + PP + to inf.

Active Sa + Va + (that) + Sb + Vb They said that he was a good doctor.

(Va, Vb:
Simple past) It + be + PP + that + Sb + Vb He was said to be a very good doctor.
Passive
Sb + be + PP + to inf. It was said that he was a very good doctor.

(Va: S. Active Sa + Va + (that) + Sb + Vb They think that John wrote that letter.
present, Vb: It + be + PP + that + Sb + Vb John is thought to have written that letter.
S. past) Passive
Sb + be + PP + to have + V3 It is thought that John wrote that letter.

(Va: S. Active Sa + Va + (that) + Sb + Vb People believe that the price will go down.
present, Vb: It + be + PP + that + Sb + Vb The price is believed to go down.
S. future) Passive
Sb + be + PP + to inf. It is believed that the price will go down.

(Va: S. past, Active Sa + Va + (that) + Sb + Vb They rummored that his family had moved to New York.
Vb: past It + be + PP + that + Sb + Vb His family was rummored to have moved to New York.
perfect) Passive
Sb + be + PP + to have + V3 It was rummored that his family had moved to New York.
(Va: S. Active Sa + Va + (that) + Sb + Vb The police report that the robbers are hiding in the forest.
present, Vb:
Pre. It + be + PP + that + Sb + Vb The robbers are reported to be hiding in the forest.
Passive
progressive) Sb + be + PP + to be + Ving It is reported that the robbers are hiding in the forest.

(Va: S. past, Active Sa + Va + (that) + Sb + Vb The police reported that the robbers were hiding in the forest.
Vb: P.
It + be + PP + that + Sb + Vb The robbers were reported to be hiding in the forest.
progressive) Passive
Sb + be + PP + to be + Ving It was reported that the robbers were hiding in the forest.

2. Sentences with other verbs

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 Verbs Active & Passive
They make me go.
make
=> I am made to go.
She let me stay there for a night
let
=> I was let stay there for a night.
I saw the boy swimming in the river.
hear, see, watch, feel, smell, taste, => The boy was seen swimming in the river.
notice, …
I saw the boy swim in the river.
=> The boy was seen to swim in the river.
She continues to study/ studying English.
continue, begin, start
=> English continues to be/ being studied.
I want you to finish the report on time.
=> I want the report to be finished on time.
want
He wanted us to praise him.
=> He wanted to be praised.
You need to mend this gate.
need
=> This gate need mending. = This gate need to be mended.
We advised him to find a part-time job.
advise, beg, order, urge, agree,
=> He was advised to find a part-time job.
decide, …
=> We advised that a part-time job should be found.

3. Imperative sentences

Forms
Active: V + O
Passive: Let + O + be + V3/ Ved
Active: Don’t V + O
Passive: Don’t let + O + be + V3/ Ved
Let + O + not + be + V3/ Ved
Active: Let SO1 tell SO2 about ST
Passive: Let SO2 be PP about it
Examples
Open your book, please.
Let your book be opened, please.
Don’t open your book, please.
Don’t let your book be opened, please.
Let your book not be opened, please.
Let me tell her about it.
Let her be told about it.

Practice 1: Read the story below and underline the passive sentences.
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 The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by

France. It was a present on the 100th anniversary of the
United States. The Statue of Liberty was designed by Frederic
Auguste Bartholdi. It was completed in France in July 1884. In
350 pieces, the statue then was shipped to New York, where it
arrived on 17 June 1885. The pieces were put together and the opening ceremony took place on
28 October 1886. The Statue of Liberty is 46 m high (93 m including the base).The statue
represents the goddess of liberty. She holds a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand.
On the tablet you can see the date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776). Every year,
the Statue of Liberty is visited by many people from all over the world.

Practice 2: Make one corresponding passive sentence or two, if possible, as in 1. Look

carefully at the tense in the sentences given.
1. Someone handed me a note.
I was handed a note./ A note was handed to me.
2. Someone offered her a second-hand bicycle.
_____________________________________________________________ .
3. Someone has proposed improvements to the developers.
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 ______________________________________________________________ .
4. Someone suggested some interesting changes to me.
______________________________________________________________ .
5. Someone awarded him a prize.
______________________________________________________________.
6. Someone will announce the President's arrival to the waiting journalists.
______________________________________________________________ .
7. Someone had mentioned the password to the thieves.
______________________________________________________________ .
8. Someone has lent me some skis.
______________________________________________________________ .
9. Someone is sending him threatening letters.
______________________________________________________________ .
10. Someone is going to explain the changes to the students.
______________________________________________________________ .

Practice 3: Choose an appropriate form of one of these verbs to complete the sentences and
write a corresponding passive sentence starting with the word(s) given. Use each verb once
only.
appoint bring declare demonstrate help introduce see tell
1. People helped Bobby to his feet after the accident.
Bobby was helped to his feet after the accident.
2. Tony ____________ me to Mrs Jennings at his birthday party.
I ___________________________________________________________________ .
3. Has anyone __________ Chris this morning?
Has Chris ____________________________________________________________?
4. The Romans ____________ rabbits to Brita in as a source of food.
Rabbits ______________________________________________________________.
5. People ____________ the story of Father Christmas to young children to explain the presents
they receive.
The story of father Christmas _____________________________________________ .
6. They ______________Martin Johnson team captain for the whole of the World Cup.

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 Martin Johnson ________________________________________________________ .
7. I am certain that Sarah _______________ her suitability as company director to those who still
have any doubt.
I am certain that Sarah’s suitability as company director _____________________________ .
8. They __________________ Alan Watson winner of the election after a recount.
Alan Watson ______________________________________________________________ .

Practice 4: If possible, make a corresponding sentence with passive form of the underlined
two- or three-word verb, as in 1. If it is not possible, write “No passive”.
1. Children often look up to strict teachers.
Strict teachers are often looked up to by children. (admire)
2. The company phased out the product over a period of three years. (to stop using sth gradually)
______________________________________________________ .
3. The students got the information down as fast as they could. (to make a note of sth)
______________________________________________________ .
4. The decision has deprived many people of the right to vote. (to prevent sb from having or doing sth)
______________________________________________________ .
5. People often brush up on a foreign language just before a holiday. (to quickly improve a skill)
______________________________________________________ .
6. John called Mrs Jones back as soon as he got home.
______________________________________________________ .
7. The chairman held over the last two items until the next committee meeting. (postpone)
______________________________________________________ .
8. The farmer prevented walkers from crossing the field after he fenced it off. (to divide one area
from another with a fence)
______________________________________________________ .

Practice 5: Complete these sentences using one of these pairs of verbs. Use either “was/were +
past participle + -ing” or “past simple + being + past participle”.

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Practice 6: If possible, complete the sentences using the pair of verbs given. Make passive
forms with “past participle + -ing”, “past participle + to-infinitive”, or “past simple + being +
past participle”. If no passive is possible, write “No passive”.

Practice 7: Make passive sentences beginning with the underlined word(s). Does the sentence
you have written have a corresponding meaning to the original, or a different meaning? Look
carefully at the tense in the sentences given.

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Practice 8: Rewrite these sentences. Instead of using 'people', 'somebody', or 'they', write one
corresponding passive sentence or two if possible (as in 1), beginning with the underlined
words. Use an appropriate verb form and make any other necessary changes.

Practice 9: Rewrite these sentences beginning with (The) + noun formed from the underlined
verb and a passive verb. Use the verb given. and make any other necessary changes.

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Practice 10: Use appropriate forms of the verbs given to complete this text. In each case,
decide whether an active or passive form is needed.

Practice 11: Supply the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. This class ______________ (clean) yesterday.
2. The regulation _____________ (not change) by the government yet.
3. Computers ______________ (repair) by the technician tomorrow.
4. Millions of Christmas cards ______________ (send) every year.
5. Your poem should ______________ (write) in English.
6. Every milk bottle can ______________ (reuse) thirty times.
7. This house ________________ (build) more than 100 years ago.
8. French ________________ (not teach) in this school.
9. A new supermarket is going to ____________ (build) next year.
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 10. Christmas songs ________________ (perform) for people in town.
11. A new church _______________ (just build) near my house.
12. This machine ________________ (not use) for years.
13. French and English ________________ (speak) in Canada.
14. The telephone ________________ (invent) by Bell in 1874.
15. Something must _______________ (do) for these poor men.

Practice 12: Rewrite the sentences using the words given.

1. She gave me a ticket at the airport yesterday.
I …………………………………………………………
2. The zookeepers feed the lions fully every day.
The lions ………………………………………….
3. You should sign and submit your application for leave by December 15.
Your ................................................................................
4. Her colleagues are organizing a surprise party for her in Golden Palace this Sunday night.
A surprise party ………………………………………….
5. Thousands of people attended the concert in the central park at 8 p.m.
The concert in the central park was attended by thousands of people at 8 p.m.
6. You must read this paragraph carefully.
This paragraph ………………………………….
7. They are going to restore that old building perfectively next month.
That old building ………………………………………….
8. George Newton might be honorably given a Nobel prize in Stockholm next month.
A Nobel prize ………………………………………….
9. They will give £500 to the winner on the stage tomorrow.
The winner …………………………………………
10. The storm caused a lot of damage last weekend.
A lot of damage …………………………………………
11. They are cleaning the garage carefully at the moment.
The garage ………………………………………….

Practice 13: Turn into passive voice

1. They say that apples are good for our health.
It……………………………………………………………………………………

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 Apples………………………………………………………………………………
2. People believe that 13 is an unlucky number.
It……………………………………………………………………………………
13……………………………………………………………………………………
3. People say that the president will come to Moscow.
It……………………………………………………………………………………
The president………………………………………………………………………
4. People believed that the police had saved many children from the fire.
It……………………………………………………………………………………
The police…………………………………………………………………………
5. They reported that the troops were coming
It……………………………………………………………………………………
The troops……………………………………………………………………………
6. They think he died last night.
It……………………………………………………………………………………
He……………………………………………………………………………………
7. People know that Japan produces a wide range of cars.
It ……………………………………………………………………………………
Japan………………………………………………………………………………

Practice 14: Change these sentences into passive voice.

1. I saw the boy swimming in the river.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Someone saw him pick up the gun.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. We’ll continue to use this computer.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. People began to plant rubber trees in big plantations.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Who teaches you English?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Who looked after the children for you?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Who has just helped you?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Do they make the artificial flowers of silk?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
9. Are the students writing the lesson now?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
10. Is she going to write a letter?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
11. Has Ms. Lee written the report?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
12. Take off your hat.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
13. Don’t do that silly thing again.
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 …………………………………………………………………………………………..
14. Let’s tell them about it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
15. Don’t ask for another book until you finish this one.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Practice 15:
Rewrite the numbered sentences in the passive voice.
The Siberian Tiger
Like many other wild creatures, the largest member of the cat family-the Siberian tiger-is
one of the most endangered species on Earth. (1) One can find Siberian tigers in eastern
Siberia, Korea and China. (2) However, people estimate that only 150-200 tigers still exist in
the wild. And there are about 250 tigers in zoos.

Endangered? Why?
(3) Experts say that human beings are the only enemy of the Siberian tiger. (4) In the
twentieth century, hunters reduced the number of tigers in the wild by 95%. (5) Hunting is
still threatening the Siberian tiger. (6) In China, they use tiger body parts for traditional
medicine.

(7)What can we do?

(8)The Russian government is making efforts to protect the Siberian tigers. (9) In 1992, they
gave it legal protection, through special laws against hunting. There are also many protected
tiger areas in Siberia. However, according to experts, the Siberian tiger will soon become
extinct (10) unless we take more steps for its protection.

(1)……………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
(2)……………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
(3)……………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
(4)……………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
(5)……………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………

Practice 16: Members of one group say an active sentence and those of the other say the
passive one.

Practice 17: Choose the correct answer.

Example: Ms. Haugen…D…at the Ajax Company.
A. is employing B. employed C. employing D. is employed
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1. I still can’t believe it! My bicycle……………last night.
A. was stolen B. was stealing C. stolen D. stole

2. The current constitutional problem is……………by the top legal minds in the country.
A. Studying C. being studied
B. being studying D. been studied

3. Something funny……………in class yesterday.

A. happened B. was happened C. happens D. is happened

4. The child’s arm was swollen because he……………by a bee.

A. stung C. had been stung
B. had stung D. had being stung

5. Today, many serious childhood diseases……………by early immunization.

A. are preventing C. are prevented
B. can prevent D. had being stung

6. I……………with you on that project.

A. am agree B. am agreed C. agreeing D. agree

7. Many U.S automobiles……………in Detroit, Michigan.

A. manufacture C. are manufactured
B. have manufactured D. are manufacturing

8. Let’s go ahead and do it now. Nothing……………by waiting.

A. accomplishes C. has accomplished
B. accomplished D. will be accomplished

9. “When ……………?”
“In 1928.”
A. penicillin was discovered C. was penicillin discovered
B. did penicillin discovered D. did penicillin discover

10. In recent year, the government has imposed pollution controls on automobile manufacturers.
Both domestic and imported automobiles must……………anti-pollution devices.
A. equip with C. equip by
B. be equipped with D. be equipped by

11. A shortage of water is a problem in many parts of the world. In some areas,
water……………from the ground faster than nature, and it can replenish the supply.
A. is being taken B. has been taking C. is taking D. has taken

12. Vitamin C……………by the human body. It gets into the blood stream quickly.
A. absorbs easily C. is easily absorbed
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B. Is easily absorbing D. absorbed easily

13. “When can I have my car back?”

“I think it’ll……………late this afternoon.”
A. finished B. be finished C. have finished D. be finish

14. I didn’t think my interview went very well, but I guess it must have. Despite all my anxiety,
I……………for the job I wanted. I’m really going to work hard to get their confidence.
A. was hiring B. hired C. got hiring D. got hired

15. My country……………the pursuit of world peace.

A. is dedicating to C. is dedicating by
B. is dedicated to D. is dedicated by

16. About 15.000 years ago, northern Wisconsin……………under ice a mile deep.
A. buried B. was burying C. was buried D. had buried

17. Ed was new on the job. But he quickly fit himself into the……………routine of the office.
A. established B. establishing C. establishes D. establish

18. The Mayan Indians……………an accurate and sophisticated calendar more than seven
centuries ago.
A. were developed B. developed C. are developed D. have been developed

19. George is……………Lisa.

A. marry with B. marry to C. married to D. married with

20. The rescuers …………… for their bravery and fortitude in locating the lost mountain
climbers.
A. were praised B. praised C. were praising D. praising

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