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 resignIt is reported that the defense minister is to resignNominalised: There is a report that the defense minister is to resignNominalised: 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
It _____________________________________________________________ The company _____________________________________________________ There __________________________________________________________ One____________________________________________________________ 2. We expect the train strike will begin tomorrowIt _______________________________________________________ The Train Strike______________________________________________ There _____________________________________________________ One ______________________________________________________ |
Answers Practice:
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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
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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
Passive Academic Grammar
More advanced passive structures – ‘impersonal passive’ and ‘to infinitive passive’. Also nominalisation (verb to noun) structures. Full explanation on web page
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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Here is a basic overview of the passive…
Passive General Grammar
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
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