It is said that she ... / She is said to ...

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 438.

Exercise 10. Complete the sentences with the appropriate passive form of the verbs in brackets.

Exercise 9. Rewrite the following sentences in the passive. Start with the words provided.

Example: They insisted on the item. - The item was insisted on.

1. About an hour or so someone sent for me. I ___.

2. Nobody slept in the bed. The bed ___.

3. I'm sure everybody will speak about his latest film. The film ___.

4. The hotel staff are looking after us very well. We ___.

5. We've just sent for the doctor. The doctor ___.

6. The Smiths left for Canada five years ago, and nobody has heard of them since. The Smiths ___.

7. Somebody broke into the museum this morning. The museum ___.

Example: The message needs to be sent immediately, (send)

1. The problem is quite serious. Something needs ___ about it soon, (do)

2. Tom's parents should___ the truth: the child is dying, (tell)

3. They don't know if Dick will accept their offer. He may___ already___ a job by another firm, (offer)

4. - Would you like___ fashionably ___? (dress)

- Who wouldn't?

5. - Why couldn't the window ___? (open)

- It was painted shut.

6. - Your sister didn't expect a call from me. She must ___. (surprise)

- She was.

7. Will I ever love and ___? (love)

8. Old people are extremely vulnerable. They ought to _ with love and care, (treat)

9. A goal might___ but I don't think there is much chance.(score)

10. Are you kidding? That painting can't___ at 5000 dollars, (sell)

(Complex Subject)

The Passive Voice is often used to talk about what other people say, believe, etc.

People	say	that	Derek	is	a promising student. (The Active Voice)
It	is said	that	Derek	is	a promising student. (The Passive Voice)
Derek	is said		to be	a promising student. (The Complex Subject Construction)

NOTE:

1. When we refer to an earlier action, we use the 'perfect infinitive' (to have + Participle II)

The fire is believed to have started late last night. (= It is believed that the fire started late last night.)

2. When we refer to an action in progress, we use the 'continuous infinitive' (to be + Participle I)

Norma is known to be living in Rome. (= It is known that Norma is living in Rome.)

The Complex Subject Constructionis used in a formal style with the following verbs: believe, claim, consider, expect, know, report, think, understand, etc.

The President is reportedto be seriously ill.