WPWord Play

Complex Passives

LESSON
Lesson Reference
Grammar rules and examples for self-study
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REVIEW
Review Exercises
Fill-in and gap-fill practice tasks
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ANSWER KEY
Answer Key
Correct answers for all exercises
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Complex Passives

Grammar Reference

Form Example
Agentlessacademic norm — focus on processThe data were analysed
Reporting + perfect infX is said/alleged/believed to have + PPis alleged to have fled
Double passiveis expected/required + to be + PPis expected to be signed
Full tense rangebe + PP in any tenseis/was/has been/will be/will have been

Complex Passives — Exercises

Exercises

  1. Rewrite: "People say that the economy is recovering."
  2. Rewrite: "Someone repaired my roof last week."
  3. Rewrite: "They gave her a scholarship."
  4. Rewrite (past reference): "People believe he escaped last night."
  5. Add a modal passive: "Someone should complete the project today."
  6. Rewrite: "Scientists are testing the vaccine at the moment."

Exercise 2 — Production

  1. Rewrite using a passive reporting structure: "People believe the law will change next year."

Complex Passives — Answer Key

Exercises

  1. Sample answer: The economy is said to be recovering. / It is said that the economy is recovering.
  2. Sample answer: I had my roof repaired last week.
  3. Sample answer: She was given a scholarship. / A scholarship was given to her.
  4. Sample answer: He is believed to have escaped last night.
  5. Sample answer: The project should be completed today.
  6. Sample answer: The vaccine is being tested by scientists at the moment. / The vaccine is currently being tested.

Exercise 2 — Production

  1. Open answer — graded automatically online; no single fixed model answer.