Passives are used whenever an action is more important than the agent - for example, in reporting the news or scientific experiments:
A woman has been arrested for the abduction of baby Emily Smith.
The water is filtered before it is mixed with the chemicals.
The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive sentence, and the verb be is used in the correct tense with the past participle of the relevant verb. By + the agent is used only if it contributes important information: Costal buildings have been damaged by gales.
Intransitive verbs, e.g. arrive, cannot become passive, because they have no object. Certain other verbs, e.g. let, fit, lack, resemble, suit, cannot normally become passive.
After modal verbs, passive infinitives are used:
He ought to be arrested. You might have been killed.
Passive -ing forms are possible: She likes being driven. Having been fed, the dog went to sleep.
Many verbs, like give, award, lend, can have two objects. When putting these verbs into the passive, it is more usual to make the `person object', rather than the `thing object', the subject of the passive verb: I was given back my change. (NOT My change was given back to me.)
Exercise 1. Turn these sentences from active to passive. Remember - only include by plus a noun or pronoun if this information is necessary.
They hold the prizegiving in the hall every year.
A storm has brought down all the power cables.
Last year the government raised the price of gas.
They made all the arrangements for the President's visit.
Had he invited her before last weekend?
She's renewing her passport next week.
The authorities are building blocks of flats all over the town.
The police haven't investigated the theft yet.
The two businessmen signed the contract.
They will collect the bottles for recycling.
The Mayor is opening the new theatre on Saturday.
They were milking the cows when I arrived at the farm.
Exercise 2. Complete the sentences, using the correct form of the verb in brackets.
All the smugglers will _____ by tomorrow. (arrest)
The matter should _____ at our next meeting. (bring up)
Our electricity bill ought to _____ next week. (pay)
It cannot _____ that the company is in financial trouble. (deny)
His house is going to _____ next month. (paint)
An extension to the sports centre could _____ if necessary. (build)
All your homework should _____ by tomorrow. (do)
Cars may _____ here free of charge. (park)
Since our arrival, we _____ very well. (look after)
That carpet will have to _____ again. (clean)
The doctor must _____ as soon as possible. (send for)
Many more workers will soon _____ by the factory manager. (take on)
Exercise 3. Complete the sentences using the passive -ing forms.
I don't mind/be/give/presents!
She hates/be/treat/like a baby.
He's used to/his English/be/correct.
I don't enjoy/be/make/to do the washing up.
I can't stand/be/ignore.
He doesn't remember/be/punish/at school.
You'll never forget/be/teach/by your very first teacher.
Exercise 4. Improve the sentences if necessary by putting the `person object' first.
I was promised a review of my case in due course.
The news was told to the whole community.
The volunteers are being lent suits of protective clothing.
She will be sent a free gift with her mail order catalogue.
A lucky mascot has been given to me, to use in my exams.
A postgraduate diploma will be awarded to her as soon as she has completed her practical assignments.
A chance to participate in the Olympic Games is being refused him, on the grounds of his unreliability.
However, he has been offered a place in the national team for the forthcoming international matches.
You will be shown your living quarters for the duration of your stay in the camp.
A bribe seems to have been offered to the officials in charge of the institution at the time.
Passive constructions are often used with verbs like say, believe, know.
It+passive+that-clause: It is said that three people died in the accident.
It was once believed that the earth was completely flat.
Subject+passive+to+infinitive: Three people are said to have died in the accident.
The earth was once believed to be completely flat.
Sometimes there are two passive constructions in the same sentence:
It is known that York was invaded by the Vikings.
York is known to have been invaded by the Vikings.
Other verbs which are used in this way include: consider, think, understand, report, allege, expect, fear, claim, deny. The verb be rumoured only exists in the passive form.
Exercise 5. Rewrite these sentences, using one of the constructions above.
We know that customs officials confiscated ten foreign passports last week.
People say that most small corner shops are losing business.
It is expected that tax increases will be announced in tomorrow's budget.
People thought at first that the Crown Prince had been attacked.
We know that inner-city crime rates are increasing.
They say the star's wife has had at least two face-lifts.
It is rumoured that the Princess is in hiding in Scotland.
It is feared that nine crew members were lost overboard.
It was considered that his speech was one of the best.
We can't deny that we made certain mistakes early on.
Police reported that a man had been helping them with their investigation.
The accused was alleged to have committed fraud.
It is expected that the strike will end soon.
The police believe that the thieves got in through a window in the roof.
It is believed that the company lost a lot of money last year.
(Be) supposed to is used to say what is intended, arranged or expected. Often this is different from the real situation:
The plan is supposed to be a secret, but everybody seems to know about it.
Our guests were supposed to come at 7.30, but they were late.
Not supposed to do something means it is not allowed or advisable:
Jeff is much better after his illness, but he is still not supposed to do any heavy work.
Exercise 6. Complete the sentences using supposed to/not supposed to and the verbs in brackets.
You shouldn't criticise me all the time. You ________________ (be) my friend.
You ___________________(park) your car here. It's private parking only.
What are you doing at work? You __________________(be) on holiday.
Jane __________________(phone) me last night, but she didn't.
This door is a fire exit. You ______________________(block) it.
My train _____________________(arrive) at 11.30, but it was an hour late.
You shouldn't be reading the paper now. You _____________________ (work).