IMPERSONAL PASSIVE

Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice as started. Match the sentences with the pictures.
1) People believe he may be fired.

It _________________________________________________

He _________________________________________________

2) Someone said he was in love with his secretary.

It _________________________________________________

He _________________________________________________

3) Some people expect that robots will take people’s jobs.

It _________________________________________________

Robots _____________________________________________

4) We know that Michael has been unemployed for quite some time.

It _________________________________________________

Michael ___________________________________________

5) I believe Bob spent all his money on gambling the other night.

It _________________________________________________

Bob ________________________________________________

6) Many people claim machines do all the heavy work for us.

It _________________________________________________

Machines ___________________________________________

7) We think that computers are changing the way we work.

It _________________________________________________

Computers ___________________________________________

8) Journalists reported that four people had been injured in the factory.

It _________________________________________________

Four people _________________________________________

9) I believe that he did five hours’ overtime this week.

He _________________________________________________

10) People think Linda is working part-time in a hotel now.

Linda_________________________________________________
Key:
Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice as started. Match the sentences with the pictures.
1) People believe he may be fired.
It is believed that he may be fired.
He is believed to be fired.
2) Someone said he was in love with his secretary.
It was said that he was in love with his secretary.
He was said to be in love with his secretary.
3) Some people expect that robots will take people’s jobs.
It is expected that robots will take people’s jobs.
Robots are expected to take people’s jobs.
4) We know that Michael has been unemployed for quite some time.
It is known that Michael has been unemployed…
Michael is known to have been unemployed…
5) I believe Bob spent all his money on gambling the other night.
It is believed that Bob spent all his …
Bob is believed to have spent all his …
6) Many people claim machines do all the heavy work for us.
It is claimed that machines do all the …
Machines are claimed to do all the …
7) We think that computers are changing the way we work.
It is thought that computers are changing…
Computers are thought to be changing …
8) Journalists reported that four people had been injured in the factory.
It was reported that four people had been injured…
Four people were reported to have been injured …
9) I believe that he did five hours’ overtime this week.
He is believed to have done five …
10) People think Linda is working part-time in a hotel now.
Linda is thought to be working part-time...

Change to impersonal passive

1. They say the PM is dying.

It__________________________________________________________

The_________________________________________________________

2. They expect the concert will finish at about 11pm.

It__________________________________________________________

He__________________________________________________________

3. People said she had been driving drunk.

It__________________________________________________________

She_________________________________________________________

4. They thought she lied to the police

It__________________________________________________________

She_________________________________________________________

5. People know he committed the murder.

It__________________________________________________________

He__________________________________________________________

6. They think rebels have kidnapped him.

It__________________________________________________________

He__________________________________________________________

7. People claim she is a secret agent.

It____________________________

She___________________________

Key:
Change to impersonal passive
1. They say the PM is dying.
It is said that the PM is dying.
The PM is said to be dying
2. They expect the concert will finish at about 11pm.
It is expected that the concert will finish at about 11pm.
The concert is expected to finish…
3. People said she had been driving drunk.
It was said that she had been driving drunk.
She was said to have been driving drunk.
4. They thought she lied to the police
It was thought that she lied to ….
She was thought to have lied to….
5. People know he committed the murder.
It is known that he committed the…
He is known to have committed the..

6. They think rebels have kidnapped him.

It is thought that rebels have kidnapped him.
He is thought to have been kidnapped.

7. People claim she is a secret agent.

It is claimed that she is a secret agent.
She is claimed to be a secret agent.

Change to Gerund or Infinitive Passive

1. Someone heard her singing.

She______________________________________________________

2. Daniela hates people telling her what to do.

She______________________________________________________

3. Marge loves people to give her compliments.

She______________________________________________________

4. Roger can’t stand people pushing him in queues.

He______________________________________________________

5. The boss wants us to inform him about all the latest developments.

He______________________________________________________

6. James isn’t keen on anyone taking his things without asking.

He______________________________________________________

7. I resent everyone blaming me for the accident.

I________________________________________________________

8. Cynthia loves people to give her flowers.

Cynthia___________________________________________________

9. Someone saw him run away.

He______________________________________________________

Key:
Change to Gerund or Infinitive Passive
1. Someone heard her singing.
She was heard singing
2. Daniela hates people telling her what to do.
She hates being told what to do
Marge loves people to give her compliments.
She loves being given compliments
3. Roger can’t stand people pushing him in queues.
He can’t stand being pushed in queues.
4. The boss wants us to inform him about all the latest developments.
He wants to be informed about….
5. James isn’t keen on anyone taking his things without asking.
He isn’t keen on his things being taken.
6. James isn’t keen on anyone taking his things without asking.
He isn’t keen on his things being taken without being asked.
7. I resent everyone blaming me for the accident.
I resent being blamed for the accident.
8. Cynthia loves people to give her flowers.
Cynthia love to be given flowers.
9. Someone saw him running away.
He was seen to run away.

Finish the sentences using personal and impersonal passive constructions.

1. It is said that this orchestra is the best in the world
This orchestra ___________________________________
. ______________________________________________
2. It is believed that the thieves have left the country.
The thieves _____________________________________
.______________________________________________
3. The fire is reported to have started by accident.
It _____________________________________________
.______________________________________________
4. He is known to be making a lot of money.
It ______________________________________________
._______________________________________________
5. It is expected that they will arrive in time for dinner
They ____________________________________________
.________________________________________________
6. She is said to know a lot about gardening.
It _______________________________________________
.________________________________________________
7. It is thought that he will be attending the meeting.
He ______________________________________________
.________________________________________________
8. It is believed that we are able to win the competition.
We______________________________________________
.________________________________________________
9. The company is thought to be making a big profit.
It ________________________________________________
._________________________________________________
10. It is reported that the government has reached a decision
The government ______________________________________
.___________________________________________________
11. It is said that they were responsible for the damage.
They ________________________________________________
.____________________________________________________
12. She is expected to break the world record.
It ___________________________________________________
.____________________________________________________
13. He is known to have several foreign bank accounts.
It ___________________________________________________
.____________________________________________________
14. They are reported to have financial problems.
It ___________________________________________________
.____________________________________________________

Key:
1- This orchestra is said to be the best in the world.
2- The thieves are believed to have left the country.
3- It was reported that the fire started by accident.
4- It is known that he is making a lot of money.
5- They are expected to arrive in time for dinner.
6- It is said that she knows a lot about gardening.
7- He is thought to be attending the meeting.
8- We are believed to be able to win the competition.
9- It is thought that the company is making a big profit.
10- The government is reported to have reached a decision.
11- They are said to have been responsible for the damage.
12- It is expected that she will break the world record.
13- It is known that he has several foreign bank accounts.
14- It is reported that they have financial problems.