PASSIVE VOICE

Two men were injured in the accident. The road is being repaired.

Who is responsible for the situation in the above sentences?

We might sometimes want to use the passive form when we do not know who was
responsible for the action, or when it is not important or when we don’t want to say it.

People download millions of songs and films on the Internet every day.
Someone stole her purse in the shopping centre.
The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came in the shop.
We will finish the project by Thursday.
They are going to build a new roundabout in our street.
You shouldn’t tell Mary anything I said.

Verbs with two objects

ask, tell, give, offer, send, show, teach, pay

They showed us the results.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
They gave me a uniform.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

It’s more common to use the indirect object as the subject of passive sentences.

They will ask you many different questions in the interview.

His colleagues gave him a present when he retired.
Nobody told me what to do.
The boss offered him a rise for his hard work.
They are giving us a new chance.
We must send them the updated pricelist

Have / get something done

I cut my hair yesterday.

I had my hair cut yesterday.

We use this structure to refer to services or actions done for us by someone else.

have your hair cut have your TV repaired

have your teeth cleaned / extracted have your room painted
have your car fixed have your homework checked

I usually... I can’t meet you now, I’m...

Last year, my parents... If I had the money, I...
I’ve never…

Other examples

They say that women live longer than men.

Some people consider that Marcel Proust is one of the best writers of all time.
People believe that he is the murderer of his wife.
They say that he was very rich in the past.
1. Change the following sentences into the passive form:

1. People believe a lot of funny stories about aliens.

2. Smith Limited are supplying our company with new office furniture.
3. William the Conqueror built this castle in the 11th century.
4. The police were following the suspects after the robbery.
5. We haven’t made a decision yet.
6. They rearranged their office last week.
7. Nobody had seen Peter before the day of the party.
8. The police will tow away your car if you park it here.
9. The publishers are going to publish Helen’s book next month.
10. They would cancel the flight if it was too foggy.

2. Complete these sentences using a suitable passive form.

not invite, cook, bite, serve, clean, paint, repair, tidy.

1. The company cars …………………… every week.

2. The road …………………… when the accident took place.
3. I …………………… to last night’s party.
4. …………… you ever …………… by a dog?
5. Their house ……………………at the moment.
6. The meat doesn’t taste very good because it …………………… for too long.
7. The room …………………… yesterday morning.
8. Dinner …………… already ……………

3. Write passive sentences. Some sentences contain two objects.

1. They have given Bishop Tutu the Nobel Prize.

2. Our postal service used to deliver parcels. Now we have to collect them.
3. The police have given everyone two weeks to surrender any weapons.
4. The Prime Minister is going to visit the hospital tomorrow.
5. In my absence somebody broke the lock of my car and stole the luggage.
6. Someone will pick up this broken glass.
7. They built this town in the 17th century.
8. I’m sorry, madam, but we have already sold this piece of furniture.
9. The authorities knocked down the old house on the corner last year.
10. When did they give John his prize?
11. Many people agree that Christopher Columbus didn’t discover America.
12. The police discovered the murder knife in a nearby lake.
13. The company has asked me to take over as the new managing director.
14. Scholars consider Nathaniel Hawthorne to be the first significant American writer.

4. Rewrite the following sentences using the structure ‘have something done’:

1. A painter painted our house last month.

2. The hairdresser is cutting my hair this afternoon.
3. Someone has stolen my motorbike.
4. I haven’t been to the car-wash for a long time.
5. Someone broke Harry’s nose in a fight.
6. It’s time someone fixed your television.
7. Helen’s publishers have just published her book.
8. The men are coming to put in the new central heating on Saturday.
9. The ophthalmologist tests Susan’s eyes every year.
10. They are going to repair my car.