6. passive voice, passive voice of two objects, have sth done, passive voice with reporting verbs

In a passive sentence, the object of an active sentence becomes the subject.

In a passive sentence, … of an active sentence becomes … .

In a passive voice sentence, the subject is the receiver of the action, not the doer of the action.

In a passive voice sentence, the subject is …of the action, not … of the action.

by

we can use it to say who or what is responsible for the action

We often use the passive when we don’t know, when it is obvious, or when we don’t want to say who or what is responsible for the action.

We often use the passive when …, when …, or when … who or what is responsible for the action.

subject be past participle

passive sentence form

be subject past participle

passive question form

Where are the photos taken?

Where do they take the photos? (make passive)

The photos are taken in Africa.

They take the photos in Africa. (make passive)

two objects

When a sentence has …, it's possible to form two different passive sentences, using either object as the subject.

My friends were sent a picture.

I sent my friends a picture.

(make passive, new subject is my friends)

A picture was sent to my friends.

I sent my friends a picture.

(make passive, new subject is a picutre)

do sth

You do it yourself.

I’m doing it myself.

I’m cutting my hair.

I did it myself.

I painted my house.

have sth done

Someone does it for you

I’m having my hair cut.

I / my hair / cut.

(have, sb else is doing it)

I had my house painted.

I / my house / paint.

(have, past simple, sb else did it)

get sth done

informal have sth done

I should get my eyes tested.

I / should / test / my eyes

(get) present simple

I’ve got my car repaired.

I / repair / my car

(get) present perfect

have sb do sth

we mention the person who does sth for us

We are having the architect redesign the ground floor.

We / the architect / redesign / the ground floor.

(have, sb else is doing it)

get sb to do sth

often implies the idea that you have convinced someone to do sth

I got a mechanic to take a look at the car.

I / a mechanic / take a look / at the car.

(get, sb else did it)

don’t know for sure

Using the passive forms of reporting verbs allows us to give information when we … whether it is true or not or when we want to distance ourselves from the source of the information.

It passive reporting verb (that) clause

It is believed (that) they are in Las Vegas.

Subject passive reporting verb to infinitive

They are believed to be in Las Vegas.

It is said (that)

It is said (that)

Someone is said to do

Someone is said to do