Theory
(BONUS +300)
They say this building is 2,000 years old.
It...
This building...
It is said that the building is 2,000 years old.
This building is said to be 2,000 years old.
Yesterday, they cut down two old trees in the local park.
WERE
Yesterday, two old trees were cut down in the local park.
What is the correct structure for passive voice?
verb TO BE (in any tense) + verb in past participle
You should have left the laboratory unlocked.
The laboratory should have been left unlocked.
This research was approved by the ethics committee of the Institute of Gerontology.
The ethics committee of the Institute of Gerontology approved this research.
BONUS +300 *2
People think the fire started at about 8 o'clock.
It...
The fire...
It is thought that the fire started at about 8 o'clock.
The fire is thought to have started at about 8 o'clock.
The army were treating the prisoners well.
WERE
The prisoners were being treated well by the army.
Name ONE of the situation in which you can omit the agent?
1) when the agent is obvious
2) when the agent is unknown
3) when the agent is unimportant
They were still painting the walls when I left.
The walls were still being painted when I left.
A special software has been used for qualitative data analysis.
They have used a special software for qualitative data analysis.
BONUS +300 * 2 + 100
Experts have proved that exercise is good for concentration. (x2)
It...
Exercise...
It has been proved that exercise is good for concentration.
Exercise has been proved to be good for concentration.
They will tell us the news tomorrow night.
TOLD
We will be told the news tomorrow night.
What happens when the sentence in the active voice has got both DIRECT and INDIRECT object and we want to change it into the passive voice?
GIVE AN EXAMPLE
The passive voice sentence may take any of the objects as the new subject:
Eg. A letter was sent to her
She was sent a letter.
In 1914, the development of celluloid (a transparent material) made animation easier.
In 1914, animation was made easier by the development of celluloid (a transparent material).
He could have been kicked out of the restaurant when he started screaming.
They could have kicked him out of the restaurant when he started screaming.
BONUS x3
People said that the participants played well in the match.
It...
The participants...
It was said that the participants played well in the match.
The participants were said to have played well in the match
The shop assistant hadn't given us the ticket when we left.
WE
We hadn't been given the ticket by the shop assistant when we left.
Name the THREE situations in which you can omit the agent
1) when the agent is obvious
2) when the agent is unknown
3) when the agent is unimportant
By summer 2008, the Airbnb founders had finished a final version of Air Bed and Breakfast and went to meet investors.
By summer 2008, a final version of Air Bed and Breakfast had been finished by the Airbnb founders and they went to meet investors.
In 2007,to turn their loft into an area to fit three air mattresses was decided by the two roomates living in San Francisco.
In 2007, the two roommates living in San Francisco decided to turn their loft into an area to fit three air mattresses.
BOMB -500
Scientists have always reported that learning languages improve your decision-making skills. (x2)
It...
Learning...
It has always been reported that learning languages improve your decision-making skills.
Learning languages have always been reported to improve your decision-making skills.
Actually, you should have finished that report, not John!
SUPPOSED
Actually, you were supposed to finish that report, not John!