THE PASSIVE
We use a passive verb to say what happens to the subject:
Many accidents are caused by dangerous driving.
We form the passive using BE in appropriate tense or form + the past participle of a transitive verb:
A small sum of money was stolen from the cash box.
They ought to have been punished more severely.
THE PASSIVE FORMS OF THE VERB
| Indefinite | Continuous | Perfect | Perfect Сontinuous | |
| Present | am asked is asked are asked | am being asked is being asked are being asked | have been asked has been asked | ______ |
| Past | was asked were asked | was being asked were being asked | had been asked | ______ |
| Future | will be asked | will be being asked | will been asked | ______ |
Use.
The Passive is used:
1. to describe an action when we don’t know or don’t know exactly who does, did or will do the action.
My bicycle was stolen last night. (I don’t know who stole it).
2. to describe an action when it is not important to know who does, did or will do the action.
These computers are made in the USA. (It isn’t important who makes them).
3. to describe what happens to people or things, often as a result of action of other people or things.
Several people were hurt in an accident last night.
4. when we are more interested in the action than the person who does it.
The house next door has been broken into.
Note: Verbs that don’t take an object (intransitive verbs) cannot go into the passive e.g.: die, arrive, come, sit down, snow, ring, faint, etc.
Some verbs can have two objects, e.g.: ask, give, offer, pay, promise, send, show, teach, tell, etc.
Someone sent me a telegram. I was sent a telegram.
A telegram was sent to me.
The police were given the information. The information was given to the police.
Note: It is more useful for passive sentences to begin with the person.
My father was offered an interesting, well-paid job as a lawyer.
We use by + doer (agent) of the action when it is important to say who or what does, did, or will do the action.
Mary was arrested by the police.
We use with + instrument or material.
I was hit with an umbrella (instrument).
The room was filled with smoke (material).
TASKS
I. Change the following sentences from active to passive. Keep the same tense with each change:
1. The police asked each of us about his movements on the night of the crime
2. They will say nothing more about the matter if someone returns the stolen gun
3. A thief stole my dog and brought him back only when I offered $ 20 reward for him
4. The judge gave him two weeks to pay the fine
5. An uneasy silence succeeded the shot.
6. The lawyer gave him the details of his uncles will.
7. The suspect will give his evidence next week
8. The detective is investigating this serious criminal case now, he is still collecting evidence against criminals.
9. I think the judge will pass the sentence tomorrow
10. The jury is still discussing the verdict
11. The investigator has collected evidence on the case
12. The night court has dismissed the prisoner’s appeal
II. Make up sentences using a passive form of the verb in brackets.
1. Last night someone broke into our house. Oh, dear (anything/take)?
2. Where’s my bicycle? It’s gone. (It/steal).
3. The people next door disappeared 6 months ago. (They (not/see/since then).
4. The police have found the people they were looking for. (Two people /arrest/ last night).
5. I was mugged on my way home a few nights ago. (you/ever/mug?).
6. Have you received your salary yet? No. (I/pay/yet).
7. They took Chris to court for dangerous driving. (Chris / prosecute/ dangerous driving).
8. They’ve stopped traffic from using the centre. (Traffic/ban/centre).
9. You had robbed several persons before we arrested you. (You/bring/in a month/to the court).
10. In the last few months newspapers have published many articles and news reports about corruption in troops. (They/discuss/should/at the lessons).
III. Translate the following sentences into English.
1. Опытный юрист был приглашен защищать дело в суде.
2. Что происходит в Парламенте? Там сейчас обсуждается новый закон.
3. В суде ее представлял адвокат.
4. Это дело об ограблении было раскрыто в августе.
5. Я думаю, что вердикт будет вынесен завтра.
6. Вчера обвиняемый был арестован полицией. Он содержится в тюрьме.
7. Вердикт все еще обсуждается присяжными. Я думаю, он будет вынесен к 5 часам.
8. Полицией предоставлены некоторые важные улики.
9. Свидетелей обвинения ждут в зале суда.
10. Эти законопроекты обсуждались вчера в парламенте.
11. На этой неделе дело было передано из магистратского суда в уголовный.
12. Вина обвиняемого была доказана магистратским судом на прошлой неделе.
13. Специальным предметам нас будут обучать на втором курсе.
14. Большинство мелких уголовных преступлений могут рассматриваться в магистратском суде заочно.
15. В основном приказ “хабеас корпус” следует применять по уголовным делам.