Transcript THE PASSIVE - all forms

THE PASSIVE – all forms
We use the passive when we want to
talk about an action but are not
interested in saying who or what
does/did the action. If we mention
the agent it is introduced by “by”.
The form
 The verb to be in the appropriate tense followed by
the past participle.
present simple: is held
present continuous: is being held
present perfect: has been held
past simple: was held
past continuous: was being rebuilt
past perfect: had been held
future: will be held
infinitive: is to be held
gerund: avoid being held
Some uses of the passive
 When the agent is not known:
She was murdered. (don’t know who did it)
 To focus on issues for example in academic
and scientific English
 Describe rules and procedures
 Describe commercial, industrial and
scientific processes
 Describe historical, economic and social
processes
HAVE SOMETHING DONE
 This passive structure is used when you ask
or pay another person to do something for
you:
I took a photo of Westminster Bridge.
I had my photo taken on the Bridge.
( I asked someone to take my photo)
 Have is the main verb in these sentences so
it changes according to the tense:
I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow.
I had my car repaired after the accident.
It is said, believed…
 This formal structure is used especially in news
reports and on TV with the verbs know, tell,
understand, report, expect, say and think. It
makes the information sound more impersonal.
 You can use It is said, believed.. + that +
clause: It is said that the company may close.
 You can use He, The man, etc (the subject of
the clause) + is said, believed, + to + infinitive
(eg to be) or perfect infinitive (eg to have
been): The man is said to be in his 40s.
To have done exercise
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Complete the sentences with the right form of have and
pp.
build clean cut paint renew
repair service
We ………. flat ………… next month.
Your hair looks fantastic! Thanks. I …. had it …… cut
yesterday.
My coat is really dirty. I need to …….. it …………..
You should …….. your car ……..every 10,000 kilometres.
Our fridge is broken. Are you going to buy a new one or
………… it ………………?
I’ll need to ………….my passport ……… before my next
holiday.
Our neighbour is ………..a new garage ……….. built at the
moment.