SKILLS / Writing / Vocabulary / Grammar

Academic Passive Grammar

Passive Grammar is…

…common in academic English because it helps to create formality, focus on the object and develop an impersonal stance. This blog will look at impersonal passive structures and nominalisation (using the verb as a noun).

Passive Grammar Basics – click here

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…

Buy the worksheet now…

Academic Passive Structures / Nominalisation

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

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Here is a basic overview of the passive…

Passive Grammar – 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]

Free Download

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