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Unit 44 · Passive

Passive 3

Study

A

Some verbs can have two objects. For example, give:

My grandfather gave me this watch.

It is possible to make two passive sentences:

›

I was given this watch (by my grandfather). or

›

This watch was given to me (by my grandfather).

Other verbs which can have two objects are:

ask offer pay show tell

When we use these verbs in the passive, most often we begin with the person:

›

I’ve been offered the job, but I don’t think I want it. (= somebody has offered me the job)

›

You will be given plenty of time to decide. (= we will give you plenty of time)

›

I didn’t see the original document, but I was shown a copy. (= somebody showed me a copy)

›

Tim has an easy job – he’s paid a lot of money to do very little. (= somebody pays him a lot)

B

The passive of doing/seeing etc. is being done / being seen etc. Compare:

active: I don’t like people telling me what to do.
passive: I don’t like being told what to do.
›

I remember being taken to the zoo when I was a child.

(= I remember somebody taking me to the zoo)

›

Steve hates being kept waiting. (= he hates people keeping him waiting)

›

We climbed over the wall without being seen. (= without anybody seeing us)

C

We say ‘I was born …’ (not I am born):

›

I was born in Chicago.

›

Where were you born? (not Where are you born?)

past

but

›

How many babies are born every day?

present

D

You can use get for the passive:

›

There was a fight, but nobody got hurt. (= nobody was hurt)

›

I don’t get invited to many parties. (= I’m not invited)

›

I’m surprised Liz didn’t get offered the job. (= Liz wasn’t offered the job)

We use get only when things happen. For example, you cannot use get in these sentences:

›

Jessica is liked by everybody. (not gets liked – this is not a ‘happening’)

›

Peter was a mystery man. Very little was known about him. (not got known)

We use get mainly in informal spoken English. You can use be in all situations.

We also use get in the following expressions (which are not passive in meaning):

get married, get divorced get dressed (= put on your clothes)
get lost (= not know where you are) get changed (= change your clothes)

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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44.1

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb.

  1. 1
    I called his office but I (tell) that he was in a meeting.example
  2. 2
    Amy retired from her job recently. She (give) a present by her colleagues.
  3. 3
    I didn’t know there was a meeting yesterday. I (not / tell) about it.
  4. 4
    Sarah’s salary is very low. I don’t understand why she (pay) so little.
  5. 5
    You will need to use this machine. Have you (show) how it works?
  6. 6
    I had an interview for a job recently. It wasn’t easy. I (ask) some questions that were very hard for me to answer.
  7. 7
    They didn’t tell us much about the project. We (not / give) enough information.
  8. 8
    I was surprised to get the job I applied for. I didn’t expect (offer) it.
44.2

Complete the sentences using being + the following verbs (in the correct form):

bitegiveinvitekeepknock downsticktreat
  1. 1
    Steve hates waiting.example
  2. 2
    We went to the wedding without .
  3. 3
    I like giving presents and I also like them.
  4. 4
    It’s a busy road and I don’t like crossing it. I’m afraid of .
  5. 5
    How do you avoid by mosquitoes?
  6. 6
    I’m an adult. I don’t like like a child.
  7. 7
    You can’t do anything about in a traffic jam.
44.3

Complete the sentences using get or got + the following verbs (in the correct form):

askbreakhurtpaystealstingstopuse
  1. 1
    There was a fight, but nobody .example
  2. 2
    Alex by a bee while he was sitting in the garden.
  3. 3
    These tennis courts don’t very often. Not many people want to play here.
  4. 4
    I used to have a bike, but it a few months ago.
  5. 5
    Rachel works hard, but she doesn’t very much.
  6. 6
    Please pack these things very carefully. I don’t want anything to .
  7. 7
    People often want to know what my job is. I that question a lot.
  8. 8
    Last night I by the police as I was driving home. One of the lights on my car wasn’t working.
44.4

Complete the sentences.

  1. 1
    I’ve been the job, but I don’t think I’ll accept it.example
  2. 2
    I don’t get invited to many parties.example
  3. 3
    Which year you born in?
  4. 4
    I haven’t been any information yet.
  5. 5
    I didn’t know the way, so I got .
  6. 6
    He doesn’t like interrupted when he’s speaking.
  7. 7
    How did the window broken? What happened?
  8. 8
    She’s a voluntary worker. She get paid.
  9. 9
    I born in a small town in the north of the country.
  10. 10
    We had to do what we did. We given any choice.