Unit4 Passive
Unit4 Passive
Unit4 Passive
To move the focus in the sentence when the agent is assumed/common knowledge.
With a dummy it with reporting or thing verbs when we want to be tentative and avoid saying something is a
fact.
With a dummy it with reporting or thing verbs when we don’t want to pass blame so avoid mentioning the
agent.
It was decided that no one would get a bonus this year.
Function: cohesion and coherence
Use 3: to make texts more consistent by starting clauses with the same subject.
Use 4: to make texts more coherent by always starting a sentence with given information.
The object of
Don’t worry! I’ve read about the clause 1
doctors there. They were all trained becomes the
at the best universities. subject of clause
2...
Alternative form…
Form: How do we make the passive?
future simple past perfect past simple present perfect
Time to practise...
Practice activities
Change these sentences from the active to the passive voice. You don’t need to mention
the agent.
School leavers face a number of difficult challenges. However, they can overcome many of these challenges by simply
talking to a school counsellor. Courses train the school counsellors to listen to students and give advice. Students might
accept this advice or not, but the most important thing is the process of discussing future options.
School leavers face a number of difficult challenges. However, many of these challenges can be overcome by simply
talking to a school counsellor. School counsellors are trained to listen to students and give advice. This advice might
be accepted or not, but the most important thing is the process of discussing future options.