complex passive structures
Note these passive structures.They are mostly rather formal.
A Passive of verbs followed by fhot-clauses
,_Try Y", !"tl:rt ,br"rd.) ft tt k""r, b::!:"4.
Many verbs that are followed by that-clauses (e.g. think, believe, say) can be used in passive structures
with introductory it. They are mostly rather formal, but common in news reports.
It is thought that the Minister will resign.
At that time, it was believed that the sky was a crystal sphere.
It is expected that the company will become proftable in the New Year.
It was said that the gods were angry.
Another way of expressing the same ideas is with subject + passive verb + infinitive.
He is known to be in Wales. They are said to own several houses.
She is understood to have Ieft home. (Note the perfect infinitive.)
This structure is also possible with there as a subject.
There are thought to be fewer than twenty people still living in the village.
There were said to be ghosts in the house, but I never heard anything.
I
ffi uut
"
the sentences passive.
> people think the governmenr wll fall. (/r) ..!!.i:.p.qlygy.el.!4.q9.!Y.q.gpyp.".*Yp":.Y.ill.fil.l.:.............
> Everybody knows he is violent. (ue) ..tje.i:..4*q.W*.yp..Y.g.y.L.q!pry1.....
> They say there is bad weather on rhe way (There) ..frp:rp.yS.*q:'.4.yq.kp.9.f.dy.?$:49Y.?.ry.\]tl1.'.Y.qb.......
1 They believed that fresh air was bad for sick people. (/r)
2 Some people claim that there are wolves in the mountains. (There)
3 They think that the man holding the hostages is heavily armed. (The man)
4 They say he is in an agitated state. (He)
5 People suggest that the rate of inflation will rise. (1t)
6 They report that she died in a plane crash. (She - perfect infnitive)
7 People believe that there are 6,000 different languages in the world. (There)
8 We understand that she left the country on Friday. (1r)
9 They think that there is oil under Windsor Castle. (There)
l0 People believed that the earth was the centre ofthe universe. (The earth)
l1 They know that he has been married four times. (He)
12 We expect that there will be an announcement on Friday. (1t)
82 PASSIVES
B Fassiv* *f verhs foNl*v'r*d hy *bj*ct + i*tfir""lltirrs
They asked me to give my name. -* I was asked to give my name' l
M;"y;;;ilrr;i ;;; i;ir.*ed by object n i,,n,,iii'" i ,..s. ,"i, iitit, i*i,rlt, ,t r"i'l ."'u. "'.a in f u'.i'.
structures with infinitives.
I was asked to give my name and date of birth. We were told to take the 9.1 5 train.
You are not expected to work on Sundays. Ann was chosen to represent our street'
Note that see, hear and make are followed by /o-infinitives in this structure.
He was seen to come out of her house at two oLlock. .
She has neyer been heard to say a kind word. We were maile to lie on the Jloor.
Verbs that refer to wanting and liking are not generally used in this passive structure.
(xor@yox@ions:)
Write true or false continuations for these sentences.
1 I have never been asked to
2 I have often been told to
3 I am not usually expected to ..............
-1 I will never be chosen to ..............
I
5 I have never been seen to
6 I have sometimes been heard to ..............
7 I would not like to be made to ..............
[. Passirre nf v*rbs with *bj*ct +" fifi1!rl/;t*$jeetive {fflrlpi*rn*nt
Ihey considered him a genius. --s He was considered a genius.
\Iany verbs that are followed by object + noun/adjective complement (e.g. consider, elect, make, call,
'egard ...as, see ... as) can be used in passive structures.
:Ie was considered a genius by many people. Mrs Robins was elected Ptesident'
',\'e wefe made very happy by the decision. He was generally regarded as stupid'
Make the sentences Passive.
I They appointed Mr Evans secretary'
I We considered Louise a sort of clown.
I People regarded Dr Hastings as an expert on criminal law'
i The new owners have made the house much more attractive'
j The villagers called her a witch
. Thev elected Professor Martin Vice-President.
\OTES
.\ terv verbs that are followed by infinitives (most commonly decide, agree) can be used in
::ssive structures beginning with l/.
It was decideil not to adyertise again. It was agreed to hold a meeting in April.
I -r most verbs cannot be used in this way.
;sot@ox@)
: r ::. passive structures that are possible with a particular verb, see a good dictionary'
PASSIVES 83
