The Passive

Reference

Common mistakes

1. It is said he is rich → It is said that he is rich
   Always include 'that'
2. He is said to lived there → He is said to have lived there
   Past → 'to have + pp'
3. It said that he is rich → It is said that he is rich
   Need 'is' before the participle
4. He said to be rich → He is said to be rich
   Needs auxiliary 'is'
5. Is thought that she won → It is thought that she won
   Always start with 'It'

The Passive — Exercises

Choose the passive

Circle the correct answer.

1. It _____ that the castle is haunted. (is said / says / is saying)
2. The singer is believed _____ in Paris now. (to live / living / to have lived)
3. The thief is thought _____ the country last week. (to have left / to leave / leaving)
4. It _____ that the match will be cancelled. (is expected / expects / is expecting)
5. The new stadium _____ next year. (will be opened / will open by / is opening by)
6. My phone _____ while I was at the beach. (was stolen / stole / was stealing)
7. She is known _____ five languages. (to speak / speaking / to have spoke)
8. The road _____ at the moment, so we'll go another way. (is being repaired / is repaired / repairs)

Key word transformation

Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first. Use the word in capitals.

1. People say the hotel is haunted. (SAID) → The hotel   haunted.
2. People think he won the lottery. (THOUGHT) → He   the lottery.
3. They believe she lives in Rome. (BELIEVED) → It   she lives in Rome.
4. Someone has stolen my bike. (BEEN) → My bike  .
5. They expect the train to arrive late. (EXPECTED) → The train   late.
6. They are building a new school. (BEING) → A new school  .

The Passive — Answer Key

Choose the passive

1. is said — Impersonal passive: It is said that…
2. to live — Present situation → to live.
3. to have left — Past action → to have left.
4. is expected — It is expected that…
5. will be opened — Future passive: will be opened.
6. was stolen — Past passive: was stolen.
7. to speak — Present fact → to speak.
8. is being repaired — Happening now → is being repaired.

Key word transformation

1. is said to be
2. is thought to have won
3. is believed that
4. has been stolen
5. is expected to arrive
6. is being built