Grammar Review Special Passive Constructions

2nd Bachillerato

Active and passive

I. L a p a s i v a y e l C o m p l e m e n t o A g e n t e

En una frase pasiva, a veces mencionamos el a g e n t e (la persona o cosa que realiza la acción). Incorporamos el
complemento agente a la oración mediante la preposición B Y .
The cheque must be signed b y t h e m a n a g e r .
The medals were presented b y N e l s o n M a n d e l a .
PERO SÓLO MENCIONAMOS EL AGENTE CUANDO ES RELEVANTE. De lo contrario, no lo hacemos.
1 N o mencionamos el agente si n o a ñ a d e nueva información.
Ej.-All our money and passports were stolen. A man was arrested last night.
(No necesitamos decir que el dinero lo robó un ladrón, o que el hombre fuera arrestado por la policía.)

2 N o mencionamos el agente si n o e s i m p o r t a n t e.
e
Ej.-The streets are cleaned every day. Oil has been discovered at the North Pole.
(El que descubrió el petróleo es menos importante que el hecho del descubrimiento.)

3 A veces, es difícil decir quién es el agente.

This kind of jacket is considered very fashionable these days. A number of attempts have been made to find the
Loch Ness monster.

B Sujetos vacíos de significado ( t h e y , p e o p l e , etc)

Compara estas dos frases:
PASIVA The streets are cleaned every day.
ACTIVA T h e y clean the streets every day.
La información nueva e importante es con qué frecuencia se limpian las clases. No estamos interesados en quién
las limpia. En la oración activa el “sujeto t h e y e s vacio” . En algunas conversaciones utilizamos este sujeto vacío,
en vez de la forma pasiva.

Podemos utilizar sujetos vacíos como p e o p l e , y o u , o n e and s o m e o n e .

ACTIVA PASIVA
P e o p l e use this footpath all the time This footpath is used all the time
Y o u / O n e should check the details The details should be checked.
S o m e o n e took my purse My purse was taken.

C ¿Cuándo utilizamos la PASIVA?

La pasiva se utiliza tanto en el discurso hablado como en el escrito, pero es más común cuando redactamos. La
encontramos frecuentemente en libros de texto y artículos periodísticos. La usamos para referirnos a actividades
realizadas en los campos de la industria, ciencia y tecnología, también para expresar la normativa oficial.
Bananas a r e e x p o r t e d to Europe.
The liquid i s h e a t e d to boiling point.
Payment c a n b e m a d e at any post office.
Cars left here w i l l b e t o w e d away.

En estas ocasiones o bien no es importante decir quién realiza la acción o lo desconocemos. La pasiva es
frecuente en el leguaje periodístico:
A number of political prisoners have been r e l e a s e d .
Talks w i l l b e h e l d in London next week.

English Department of Alguadaira High School 1

Grammar Review Special Passive Constructions
2nd Bachillerato

Special passive structures

1 La forma pasiva -ing
Bill Marsh is too old to look
after himself. He's in an old
• Podemos utilizar la forma -ing de un verbo en la pasiva. Utilizamos
people's home called
being + el participio pasado.
Merrifield. A nurse has to feed
Ej.- He hates b e i n g f e d . (Activa: He hates people feeding him.) him. He hates being fed. She
He's tired o f b e i n g t o l d what to do. (Activa: He's tired of people telling tells him he's very difficult. He
him what to do.) doesn't like being criticised, so
He remembers b e i n g t r e a t e d like this when he was a child. (Activa: He he gets angry. She tells him to
remembers people treating him like this.) stop shouting, but he's tired of
being told what to do. He
remembers being treated like
this when he was a child.

Transforma estas oraciones:

1 The nurses call him "Billy" He doesn't like……………………….. 'Billy'.
2 They tell him he's difficult. He's tired of………………….... he's difficult.
3 A doctor examines him every month. He hates ……………………………....

2 Verbo pasivo + infinitivo con TO

Bill is said to be difficult, but

he had a difficult childhood.
His parents are thought to
have died when he was 14.
He went to work on a farm.
He was expected to get up
at 5.30 a.m. and to work for
twelve hours. He was
considered to be a good
worker. But when he was 16,
he was found to have
poliomyelitis, and he's
believed to have spent two
years in hospital.
• Usamos con frecuencia un infinitivo (to have) o un infinitivo perfecto
(to have had) en construcciones pasivas con verbos como: believe,
consider, expect, fear, feel, find, intend, know, report, say, think,
understand.
Pasiva: Bill's said to be difficult.
(Activa: People say Bill is difficult.)
Pasiva: He was considered to be a good worker.
(Activa: They considered he was a good worker.)
Pasiva: He's believed t o h a v e s p e n t two years in hospital.
(Activa: They believe he spent two years in hospital.)
Pasiva: His parents are thought t o h a v e d i e d when he was 14.
(Activa: They think his parents died when he was 14.)

• Observa la diferencia entre el infinitivo y el infinitivo perfecto.

Compara: When he was 16, he was found t o h a v e poliomyelitis. (= Tuvo poliomyelitis a los 16.)
When he was 16, he was found to h a v e had poliomyelitis. (Tuvo la enfermedad antes de los
16.)

Transforma estas oraciones.

1 People know that Bill is very independent. ………………………………………………………
2 People say that Bill has no brothers or sisters…………………………………………………..
3 People think that Bill had a difficult childhood. ………………………………………………….

English Department of Alguadaira High School 2

Grammar Review Special Passive Constructions
2nd Bachillerato

3 It's said ... It's known ... It's reported ...etc.
• Podemos usar it + un verbo pasivo + una
oración subordinada sustantiva de CD
conectada con el nexo that para hablar sobre
lo que la gente en general dice, piensa o
siente en relación con una situación.
Puede utilizarse con los siguientes verbos:
agree, announce, decide, expect, fear, feel,
find, hope, intend, know, mention, regret, report, say, suggest, think, understand.
It's thought that there are over 1 million old people in
Britain who can't look after themselves. It was reported
that more than 200 old people died of cold last winter. It's
feared that most of them died because they had nobody
to look after them. It's often said that this is one of
society's biggest problems. It's expected that more old
people's homes will be built in the future.

• I t ' s t h o u g h t (that) there are over 1 million old people. (= Se piensa que hay mas de un millon de
ancianos)
• I t ' s often s a i d (that) this is one of society's biggest problems. (= Siempre se dice que este es uno de los
problemas más importantes de la sociedad.)
• I t w a s r e p o r t e d (that) more than 200 old people died of cold last winter. (=Se informó que habían muerto
más de 200 ancianos de frío en el pasado invierno.)

Escribe estas frases, Utilizando It’s + un verbo pasivo

1 People think that many old people die because no-one looks after them.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………
2 The authorities have announced that more old people's homes will be built.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………
3 People hope that the situation will improve.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………

4 Be supposed to

Merrifield is supposed to be a very

good old people's home. The nurses
are supposed to be well-trained and
kind. But Bill doesn't like them. If he
gets out of bed at the wrong time,
he's told: 'Billy, you're supposed to
be in bed.' When he watches a late
night film, they say: 'Billy, you aren't
supposed to watch television after
10.30.' Bill often gets very angry. 'This
is supposed to be a home, not a
prison!'
• Be supposed to tiene dos significados distintos. Puede
significar que algo es la opinion general de la gente.
Merrifield i s s u p p o s e d t o be a good old people's home. (=
La gente dice que Merrifield es una buena residencia de
ancianos.)
• También puede significar que algo debería suceder
porque es la norma o porque ha sido planificado.
You're s u p p o s e d t o be in bed. (Deberías estar en la cama
porque esa es la norma.)
This i s s u p p o s e d to be a home, not a prison. (La idea era
que Merrifield fuera un hogar no una prisión.)

• Usamos la forma en negativo para mencionar algo que no se permite.

You a r e n ' t s u p p o s e d t o watch television after 10.30. (Esto no está permitido.)

Rewrite the sentences, using be supposed to.
1 Bill has to get up at 6.30 a.m. - that's the rule.
………………………………………………….
2 Bill sometimes smokes, but smoking isn't permitted.
…………………………………………..
3 People say the nurses at Merrifield are nice.
……………………………………………………
Last Thursday Bill was given a boiled egg for his
breakfast. 'I've been given a boiled egg three times
this week. You know I don't like boiled eggs!' He got
very angry. He was promised some toast and
marmalade if he was quiet. He just got angrier, so he
was given an injection to calm him down. The nurses
refused to look after him any more, so he's been
offered a room at another home. He was shown his
new room this morning but he refuses to move.

English Department of Alguadaira High School 3

Grammar Review Special Passive Constructions
2nd Bachillerato

5 He was given .../He's been offered ..., etc.

• Cuando un verbo tiene DOS objetos (directo e indirecto),es posible obtener DOS oraciones pasivas.
(Activa: They gave Bill a boiled egg.)

1 B i l l was given a b o i l e d e g g .
2 A b o i l e d e g g was given t o B i l l .

Pero normalmente en ingles se hace la transformación con el Complemento Indirecto (que no existe en español
como tal)como en la frase 1.

He was promised s o m e t o a s t a n d m a r m a l a d e .
H e ' s been offered a r o o m at another home.

• Podemos usar esta construcción con verbos como: allow, give, hand, lend, offer, owe, pay, promise, sell, send,
show, teach, tell.

Transforma estas frases:

1 The authorities have sent Bill a letter saying he must leave …………………………………………………….………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….
2 They've offered Bill a better room at the new home…………………………………………………………..……………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………..
3 They say they'll give him the kind of food he likes. ……………………………………………………….………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

PASIVA-EJERCICIOS

The passive and the agent (A) Laura is writing to a friend. This is part of her letter.

Someone broke into our house at the weekend. The burglar took some jewellery. But luckily he didn't do any
damage. A very nice young police officer interviewed me. Detectives found some fingerprints, and the police
computer identified the burglar. Police have arrested a man and are questioning him. But they haven't found the
jewellery.

Now complete the passive sentences in this. conversation. Use a phrase with by only if it adds information
Laura: Our house HAS BEEN broken into at the weekend.
Melanie: Oh no!
Laura: Some jewellery _________________(1) But luckily no damage______________ (2)
Melanie: Did the police come and see you?
Laura: Yes, they did. I _____________________________(3)
Melanie: I don't suppose they know who did it.
Laura: Well, amazingly they do. Some________________ (4), and the _____________(5)
A man _______________________(6) and ____________________________(7)
Melanie: Wonderful.
Laura: There's only one problem. The ____________________________(8)

English Department of Alguadaira High School 4

Grammar Review Special Passive Constructions
2nd Bachillerato

Active or passive sentence?

Write
Write a paragraph from the notes about the first motor car. Some sentences are active and some are passive. Use
a phrase with by only if it adds information .
a Belgian called Etienne Lenoir / make / the first motor The first motor car was made by a Belgian called
car Etienne Lenoir.
but / Lenoir / not produce / many cars / for sale But Lenoir ………………………………………
……………………………………………………
a German called Karl Benz / start / commercial Commercial …………………………………….
production ……………………………………………………
people / now / see / Benz / as the father / of the Benz……………………………………………..
motor car ……………………………………………………

Empty subjects
Reply to what people say. Use the subject in brackets.
Daniel: The bus fares have been increased, (they)
Vicky: What? You mean they've increased the bus fares again!

1 Melanie: Bicycles should be used for short journeys, (people)

David: Yes, I agree, ………………………………………………………………………………..
2 Emma: A new source of energy has been discovered, (someone)
Daniel: What? Did you say that …………………………………………………………………….
3 Rachel: This building is going to be knocked down. (they)
Vicky: Well, no one told me that …………………………………………………………………...
4 David: Eggs shouldn't be kept in a freezer, (you)
Tom: Really? I didn't know …………………………………………………………………..…..
5 Vicky: Why isn't litter put in the bin? (people)
Emma: Exactly. Why don't …………………………………………………………………………..

Practice

The passive -ing form: / don't like being photographed.

Passive verb + infinitive with to: George is said to keep snakes in his bathroom.
Passive verb + perfect infinitive: The police are thought to have caught the thieves.
It + a passive verb: It's said to be difficult to learn Chinese. It was announced that the
Queen was ill.
Two meanings of be supposed to: That restaurant is supposed to be good. (general opinion)
You're supposed to work hard. (the rule or the plan)
Verbs with two objects: A letter was sent to him. He was sent a letter. (The second
construction is more common.)

1 Mireille Lavoisier was a famous French film star in the 1930s.

These were her likes and dislikes. Make passive sentences.
Example: She liked people giving her flowers. She liked being given flowers.
1 She enjoyed people taking her to the cinema to see her films.
_________________________________________________________________________
2 She didn't like people asking how old she was.
_________________________________________________________________________
3 She hated people seeing her when she wasn't wearing any make-up.
_________________________________________________________________________
4 She was afraid of people forgetting her when she was dead.
_________________________________________________________________________

English Department of Alguadaira High School 5

Grammar Review Special Passive Constructions
2nd Bachillerato

2 Rewrite these sentences without changing the meaning.

Example: It's reported that an earthquake h a s hit the coast of Sumatra. An earthquake is reported to have hit the coast of Sumatra.
1 At first it was said that no-one had been killed.
_________________________________________________________________________
2 But now it's thought that 250 people have died in the earthquake.
_________________________________________________________________________
3 It's expected that the death toll will rise.
_________________________________________________________________________
4 It's reported that three coastal villages have disappeared completely.
_________________________________________________________________________

3 Rewrite the sentences, using be supposed to

1They say British people are careful drivers
_________________________________________________________________________
2 When you drive in Britain, you have to wear a seat belt.
_________________________________________________________________________
3 It's not advisable to drink and drive.
_________________________________________________________________________
4 You aren't allowed to park on the pavement
_________________________________________________________________________
4 Make these sentences passive. (Two passives)
1 We don't pay nurses much money.
A _______________________________________________________________________
B _______________________________________________________________________
2 The government's offering them a 1% pay rise.
A _______________________________________________________________________
B _______________________________________________________________________
3 The Minister has promised them a further rise next year.
A _______________________________________________________________________
B _______________________________________________________________________
4 She might give them a 2% rise then.
A_______________________________________________________________________
B _______________________________________________________________________
5 The nurses have sent the Minister a letter.
A _______________________________________________________________________
B _______________________________________________________________________

5. -I was given . . .
Zedco managers are writing a report saying how well the company looks after its employees. Write sentences from
the notes. Put the important underlined information at the end of the sentence.
1. useful work skills / they are taught to our staff
Our stuff are taught useful work skills
2. people with initiative / they are given opportunities
Opportunities ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. special training / it is given to new employees
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. staff who perform well / they are given extra payments
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. company shares / they are offered to most employees
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. six weeks' holiday / this is allowed to all Zedco staff
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. women who leave to have children / they are paid a full salary
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
English Department of Alguadaira High School 6
Grammar Review Special Passive Constructions
2nd Bachillerato

2 It i s s a i d t h a t . . . /H
He is said that…
Report these rumours. Instead of the active (e.g. People say ...) use the passive (e.g. It is said that... and He is
said that).

People say this 1.- It is said ………………………………………………………..

The quiz champion Claude
Jennings has lost his memory
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
2.- The quiz champion Claude Jennings …………………..
…………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………….

Everyone expect this 1.- It …………………………………………………….…………..

The soap opera “Round the corner”
will end next year
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
2.- ………………………………………………. …………………..
…………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………….

Journalists suppose so 1.- It …………………………………………………….…………..

The footballer Wayne Johnson is
earning $10 million a year
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
2.- ………………………………………………. …………………..
…………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………….

Lots of people believe this 1.- It …………………………………………………….…………..

…………………………………………………………………………
The Prime Minister and his wife have …………………………………………………………………………
separated 2.- ………………………………………………. …………………..
…………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………….

English Department of Alguadaira High School 7