PASSIVE VOICE

Using passives and Reporting with passive verbs

 SUBJECT VERB OBJECT COMPLEMENTS

The Boron Group manufactured all the equipment in Germany.

PASSIVE PASSIVE
SUBJECT VERB COMPLEMENTS AGENT

All the equipment was manufactured in Germany by the Boron Group

We use passive voice:

When the object becomes the focus:

The Boron Group manufactured all the equipment.

vs
All the equipment was manufactured by the Boron Group.

In formal contexts:

You will be given the questions for the exam.

vs
Someone will give you the questions for the exam.
We use passive voice:

When the agent:

 Not known
My office was broken into when I was on holiday.
 People in general
An order can be found on page 2.
 Unimportant
He is thought to be somewhere in Russia.
 Obvious
Mail is delivered every day.
Verbs with objects

The firm sold defective parts to 120 customers.

Defective parts were sold to 120 customers.
120 customers were sold defective parts.

Impersonal passive

People think that their product is the best in the market.

It is thought that their product is the best in the market.
Their product is thought to be the best in the market.
Reporting with passive verbs

That-clause

The damage is extensive, according to the government.

vs
It is reported that the damage is extensive.

Agree Allege Announce Assume Believe Calculate

Claim Consider Decide Demonstrate Discover Establish
Estimate Expect Feel Find Hope Intend
Know Mention Plan Propose Recommend Reveal
Say Show Suggest Suppose Think Understand
Reporting with passive verbs

Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive

The damage is extensive, according to the government.

vs
The damage is reported to be extensive.

Agree Allege Announce Assume Believe Calculate

Claim Consider Decide Demonstrate Discover Establish
Estimate Expect Feel Find Hope Intend
Know Mention Plan Propose Recommend Reveal
Say Show Suggest Suppose Think Understand
 Reporting with passive verbs

There + passive verb + to be/to have been

It is thought that there are too many obstacles to peace.

vs
There are thought to be too many obstacles to peace.

In 1981 it was believed that there were only two experts on the disease in the country.
vs
In 1981 there were believed to be only two experts on the disease in the country.
(Verbs for this pattern same as in subject + passive verb + to-infinitive)
Reporting with passive verbs

Verbs with a personal object before the that-clause/to infinitive in

active form:

They have informed us that we have to leave the building.

We have been informed that we have to leave the building.

They asked everyone to bring some food to the party.

Everyone was asked to bring some food to the party.

Encourage Inform Persuade Reassure Remind

Tell Warn
Reporting with passive verbs

It + passive verb + wh-clause

It has been revealed who was responsible for the accident.

The decision to build the bridge was taken before it was established whether it
was actually needed.

Discover Establish Explain Find Know

Reveal Show Understand