The Passive (Part 2)

Dragana Filipović

Some verbs can have two objectsWhen Sam retired, his company gave him

a present. (ACTIVE)him = indirect objecta present = direct objectPASSIVE:1. When Sam retired, he was given a present by

his company.2. When Sam retired, a present was given to him

by his company.

The object we want to emphasize becomes the subject of the passiveACTIVE: They promised the winner a

large amount of money.PASSIVE 1: The winner was promised a

large amount of money.PASSIVE 2: A large amount of money was

promised to the winner.

Here are some verbs that can have 2 objects:GIVESENDASKTELLPROMISE

OFFERTEACHSHOWPAY

Turn into the Passive in 2 ways:1. Somebody has sent them an invitation for

the party.2. They will show you the way.3. They offered me a cup of tea.4. They have offered her the job.5. They are going to show John a new

technique.

Answers1. Somebody has sent them an invitation for the

party.They have been sent an invitation for the party.An invitation for the party has been sent to them.2. They will show you the way.You will be shown the way.The way will be shown to you.3. They offered me a cup of tea.I was offered a cup of tea.A cup of tea was offered to me.

4. They have offered her the job.She has been offered the job.The job has been offered to her.5. They are going to show John a new

technique.John is going to be shown a new technique.A new technique is going to be shown to John.

Modal verbs + Passive InfinitiveActive: You must finish this exercise today.Passive: This exercise must be finished today.

A: Somebody has to clean the car.P: The car has to be cleaned.

A: You should repair the washing machine.P: The washing machine should be repaired.

Phrases + Passive InfinitiveHe wants to be loved.His work tends to be criticised.It’s nice to be given something you’ve

alaways wanted to have.

Passive GerundHe loves being appreciated.I hate being treated like a child.She objected to being treated so rudely.Politicians are used to being asked all sorts of

questions.

Change the sentences into passive.1. Gustav Eiffel designed the Eiffel Tower in

Paris.2. People expected Ted Hughes to win the

Nobel Prize for literature.3. Someone has stolen a Picasso from the

Louvre.4. An artist is going to cover the Kremlin in red

fabric.5. They are building a new shopping centre

here.6. They were cleaning the room when we

arrived.7. By the time I arrived, they had completed

the project.

Answers1. The Eiffel Tower in Paris was designed by

Gustav Eiffel .2. Ted Hughes was expected to win the Nobel

Prize for literature.3. A Picasso has been stolen from the Louvre.4. The Kremlin is going to be covered in red

fabric.5. A new shopping centre is being built here.6. The room was being cleaned when we arrived.7. By the time I arrived, the project had been

completed.

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct Passive form.1. Everybody wants _____ (respect).2. Seat belts must _____ (fasten) during take-off and

landing.3. _____ (praise) in public can be quite embarrassing.4. My dishwasher doesn’t work. Can it _____ (repair)?5. The door must not ____ (leave) open.6. Most of the town ____ (destroy) by the earthquake

last week.7. The apartment next door _____ (redecorate) three

times since 2000.

Answers1. Everybody wants to be respected.2. Seat belts must be fastened during take-off and

landing.3. Being praised in public can be quite

embarrassing.4. My dishwasher doesn’t work. Can it be repaired?5. The door must not be left open.6. Most of the town was destroyed by the

earthquake last week.7. The apartment next door has been redecorated

three times since 2000.

THE END