Grammar for Graduate StudentsLecture 4

The Passive

Form

4

to be in the appropriate form + past participle

not used for present perfect continuous, past perfect continuous & future continuous for reasons of style

4active passive

Infinitive to do to be done

perfect infinitive

to have done to have been done

present participle

doing being done

perfect participle

having done having been done

Use (1)

4

The local cinema was closed three years ago.Children should be warned not to speak to strangers.The flight to Athens has been delayed.

• object more important than subject

• subject is not specific (to avoid subjects ‘someone’, ‘something’

Use (2)

4

To increase production, the lunch break will be reduced.I am sorry that your letter was mislaid.

• to avoid placing responsibility on a person or organization

Use (2)

4

When they got to the police station, they were immediately questioned.I went by train and was met at the station by my aunt.

• to avoid a change of change of subject in a sentence

Use (3)

4

The play was written by Shakespeare. America was not discovered by Columbus. Valkyrie was composed by Richard Wagner.They were questioned by the police.The Eiffel Tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel.

• to place emphasis on the performer of an action (by)

• usually after verbs build, compose, damage, design, discover, invent, make, write

Use (4)

4

It is expected that many people will lose their jobs. There are believed to be many homeless children in Bucharest. She is considered to be to the most gifted artist. It is said to be the best brand in the market.

• with verbs of saying & believing

Use (5)

4

Passengers are advised to keep their seat belts fastened. The escaped prisoners were captured at the border. French is spoken in Luxembourg.The oranges are treated with wax and then stored in large boxes before being shipped abroad.

• notices, news reports & description of processes