Passive Grammar is…

…common in academic English because it helps to create formality, focuses on the object and develops an impersonal stance. This blog will look at impersonal passive structures (it is claimed / to + infinitive passive forms) and nominalisation (changing the verb into a noun).

A common way of reporting what is said by people or by an unspecified group of people

 

It is said that….

[It + passive verb (be + past participle) + that clause]

They report the defense minister is to resign

It is reported that the defense minister is to resign

Nominalised: There is a report that the defense minister is to resign

Nominalised: One report is that the defense minister is to resign

 

To infinitive impersonal passives

The subject + passive verb (be+past participle) + to infinitive

They claim the terrorist is living abroad

It is claimed that the terrorist is living abroad

The terrorist is claimed to be living abroad

Nominalised: There is a claim that the terrorist is living abroad

Nominalised: One / a claim is that the terrorist is living abroad

 

Common verbs used in impersonal passive forms:

agree / allege / announce / assume / believe / calculate / claim / consider / declare / discover / estimate / expect / find / known / mention / propose / recommend / rumour / show / suppose / suggest / understand

Practice

Practice Exercises

  1. People believe the company stole over a million pounds

It _____________________________________________________________

The company _____________________________________________________

There __________________________________________________________

One____________________________________________________________

2. We expect the train strike will begin tomorrow

It _______________________________________________________

The Train Strike______________________________________________

There _____________________________________________________

One ______________________________________________________

Answers Practice:

  1. People believe the company stole over a million pounds

It is believed that the company stole over a million pounds

The company is believed to have stolen over a million pounds

There is a belief that the company stole over a million pounds

One belief is that the company stole over a million pounds

 

  1. We expect the train strike will begin tomorrow

It is expected that the train strike will begin tomorrow

The Train Strike is expected to begin tomorrow

There is an expectation that the train strike will begin tomorrow

One expectation is that the train strike will begin tomorrow

This is a worksheet with eight more similar exercises…

Academic Passive Structures & Nominalisation

An introduction to the impersonal passive structure ‘it is said that…’ , to infinitive passive form ‘ it is claimed to be…’. and how to nominalise verbs to nouns to show formality in writing. This worksheet provides key information and 10 writing questions (example). Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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Academic Writing: Passive Grammar Worksheet 2 (new 2024)

This worksheet introduces students to the passive voice. It includes instructions, rules, plenty of practice activities within the context of the UN SDGs and an answer key. This worksheet can be used on its own or as part of our academic writing booklet and is suitable for classroom use or self-study. Example. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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Here is a basic overview of the passive…

Passives: The Basics

This is a worksheet that provides an overview of the basic passive structures, the rules and tense exercises. It also includes a speaking activity. A nice lesson to revise the basic structures and use of the passive.  Level ***** [B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Free Download

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Introduction to Academic Writing: Top 10 Features

Students can use this independently or teachers can use it with their classes in either guided lessons or in a workshop type scenario.

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The 12 most common grammar areas in academic English writing

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