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Understanding Passive Voice in English

The document discusses the use of passives in English. It explains that only transitive verbs can be used passively, and that verbs with direct or indirect objects can be made passive in two forms. It also notes some verbs that cannot be made passive like "like" and "love". The passive voice is used when the agent is unimportant, unknown, or obvious. Reporting verbs are often used passively to avoid impersonal forms. The structures "have something done" and "need doing/to do" can also be used passively. Prepositions remain with the verb in the passive form. Finally, some exceptions like "be born" and uses with "make" are discussed.

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Lourdes Menor
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9 views2 pages

Understanding Passive Voice in English

The document discusses the use of passives in English. It explains that only transitive verbs can be used passively, and that verbs with direct or indirect objects can be made passive in two forms. It also notes some verbs that cannot be made passive like "like" and "love". The passive voice is used when the agent is unimportant, unknown, or obvious. Reporting verbs are often used passively to avoid impersonal forms. The structures "have something done" and "need doing/to do" can also be used passively. Prepositions remain with the verb in the passive form. Finally, some exceptions like "be born" and uses with "make" are discussed.

Uploaded by

Lourdes Menor
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

PASSIVES ( to be + past participle)

- Sólo con verbos transitivos puede hacerse la pasiva.


They sent the letter. The letter was sent.
The arrived late. (no puede hacerse)

- Verbos que tengan objeto directo o indirecto pueden hacer la pasiva


de dos formas.
They sent me the letter. I was sent the letter.
The letter was sent to me.

- Algunos verbos no pueden hacer pasivas . Por ejemplo “like/ love”


I like this place. (no puede hacerse)

- La pasiva es usada en infinidad de contextos. El agente (la persona


que hace la acción) no es importante, desconocido o claro.
Generalizaciones Students are asked not to smoke.
Cuando el agente no se conoce. My bike has been stolen!
Cuando el agente es obvio Mr Jones will be arrested.
Como se realiza algo The box was opened with a knife.

REPORTING VERBS

- La pasiva es usado con say, believe, understand, know o


verbos similares usados para reportar o informar para evitar las
formas impersonales “they” o “people”.
People say that John Wilson lives in New York.
John Wilson is said to live in New York.
They say John Wilson is travelling in Africa.
John Wilson is said to be travelling in Africa.
People say John Wilson has arrived in Australia.
John Wilson is said to have arrived in Australia.

HAVE / GET SOMETHING DONE

- Cuando alguien nos hace un trabajo, usamos esta estructura.


Last year I had new tiles put on the roof.
I’m having my hair cut this afternoon.
- Esa misma estructura puede describir mala suerte causada por
alguien.
Peter had his car stolen last week.
And then he had his leg broken playing football.

- Usando “get” en lugar de “have” sería más informal. Y también sugiere


que alguien puede arreglárselas con algo difícil.
It was difficult but we got the painting done in the end.

NEEDS DOING / NEEDS TO DO

- Con el verbo need podemos hacer la pasiva de las dos formas.


The floor is filthy. It needs to be cleaned.
The floor is filthy. It needs cleaning.

VERBS AND PREPOSITIONS

- La preposición se queda con el verbo en la oración pasiva.


People shouted at the Prime Minister during his speech.
The Prime Minister was shouted at during his speech.

OTROS PROBLEMAS

- BE BORN es una forma pasiva pero sin significado pasivo.


I was born near Kyoto.

- MAKE (cuando significa forzar) seguido de “to” en pasiva.


They made David work hard.
David was made to work hard.

- Cuando el agente no es importante, obvio o desconocido, a menudo no


se incluye.
This letter was delivered this morning.
This letter was delivered this morning by courier.

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