tense and agreement, verbs with two objects, the use of it
Look at the A and B sentences below. Find out why B is correct and A is wrong in the Grammar Points section.
GRAMMAR POINTS
E \A4ren we change a sentence from the active voice to the passive voice, the tense of the verb has to remain the same and the verb has to agree with the subiect in number.
EXAMpLE: The coach always encourages the children to practise different swimming strokes.
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G l r s t @
are encouraged to practise different swimming strokes by the coach.
lA Active voic" , Simon teaches some of the club members watercolour painting.
passive voice , Some of the club members is taught watercolour painting by Simon.
1B r\ctivc nric" , Simon teaches some of the club members watercolour painting.
passi'e voice , Some of the club members are taught watercolour painting by Simon.
Acrive voice , The company gave us a variety of books for the library.
passive voice , We were giving a variety of books for the library by the company.
A variety of books were given to us for the library by the company.
Acrive voice , The company gave us a variety of books for the library.
passivenricc' We were given a variety of books for the library by the company.
A variety of books was given to us for the Iibrary by the company.
x x
3A Active voic" ' People say that James is a brilliant lawyer.
passive voice , It is say that lames is a brilliant lawyer.
That James is a brilliant lawTrer sayby PeoPle.
38 Acti'e voic" , People say that ]ames is a brilliant lawyer.
passive voice ' It is said that Iames is a brilliant lawryer.
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g \.44:r.en a verb in the active voice takes a direct and an indirect object, we can have two sentences w i t h t w o d i f f e r e n t s u b j e c t s in t h e p a s s i v e v o i c e .
EXAMpLE: My parents sent me food parcels regularly when I was studying overseas.
I was sent food parcels regularly by *y parents when I was studying overseas.
p a s s i r e r o i c e , p a \ t t c n s e v e r b actiYe voice, past tense verb
Food parcels were sent to me regularly by my parents when I was studying overseas.
passive voice, past tcnse Verb
It is more common to begin with the person rather than the thing in the oassive voice.
E We use it + the passive verb when we refer to what people in general believe, feel or think
It
aDout someone or somernlng.
EXAMpLE: Everyone predicts that there will be a downturn in the economic situation.
a c t i r e r o i c e , p r e \ e n l t e n \ e \ ( r l )
It is predicted that there will be a downturn in the economic situation.
passive voice, present tense verb
(select) as the new chairman by the committee.
(welcome) by close friends and relatives at the airport.
(diagnose) as suff'ering from arthritis after his knee began (cause) the destruction of (suggest) last week that a special fund be set up to give
(provide) with accommodation when we go on our financial help to the needy in this city
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l I t (believe) that the prices of precious metals will fall soon.
2 W e (showl how to make batik orints with the materials we were
grven.
3 Brian
4 Many people (think) that the present system of education
needs to be modified.
5 Tasha 6 Paul
to hurt.
7 In my country, Iandslides often homes and crops.
B I t 9 W e
overseas assignment next Friday.
l0 A children's home (set up; in our area last month.
I A The houses in the low-lying areas affected by the flood.
B The flood affected the houses in the low-lying areas.
C The houses in the low-lying areas were affected by the flood.
2 A Most of our old furniture will be sold at the garage sale on Sunday.
B Most of our old furniture will be selling at the garage sale on Sunday.
C We will sell most of our old furniture at the garage sale on Sunday.
3 A The landlord warned the tenants about their noisy behaviour.
B The tenants was warned about their noisy behaviour by the landlord.
C The tenants were warned about their noisy behaviour by the landlord.
4 A We will see a lower rate of growth in the next fewyears say by people.
B People say that we will see a lower rate of growth in the next few years.
C It was say that we will see a lower rate of growth in the next few years.
5 A Mike offered the top post in the personnel department.
B They offered Mike the top post in the personnel department.
C Mike was offered the top post in the personnel department.
6 A The telephone company sent us a reminder that we had not paid the bill.
B We sent a reminder by the telephone company that we had not paid the bill.
C We were send a reminder by the telephone company that we had not paid the bill,
Circle the letters of the correct sentences. There may be more than one answer for each question.
Some of the verb forms underlined are incorrect. Write the correct verbs in the boxes.
I Several houses shaken when tremors hit the mountain resort.
Ahigh wall was built around the compound to keep out intruders.
Pearl S. Buck wrote books based on her experiences in China.
It is believe that peace between the two nations is possible.
All fears were forgotten when the children saw the toys in a corner of the clinic.
These richly beaded costumes are worn by the dancers when they perform.
Angela born in London but raised in ]apan.
People saying that the company will be taken over by a foreign group.
The news of her transfer shock Iill very much.
Farmers in this region grow a variety of grapes both for the local wine industry as well as for export.
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3 4
5
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6B
@ " J R e a r r a n g e t h e w o r d s t o f o r m c o r r e c t S e n t e n c e S i n t h e a c t i v e o r p a s s i v e v o i c e .
l b e - curb - drink-driving- expected - is - it - laws - new- passed - that to -will.
It
2 a- as - car - didn't - have - home - I - lift - me - mv - offered - Sarah.
Sarah
3 b e - Plans
discussed - extension - for - new- next - plans - the - week - will.
4 a c c e p t e d - - the - the
by- for - hotel's - improving - manager - services - suggestions - were.
Suggestions
5 lawyer - murder - questioned - regarding - the - the - the - two - witnesses.
The lawyer . - , -
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@ E ] R e w r i t e t h e f o l l o w i n g p a S S a g e i n t h e p a s s i v e v o i c e .
People generally think that Angie is extremely good at organisation and decision-making. She acquired these skills during her six years as a junior executive at the firm. Her bosses noted her sound decisions and her efficiency. They promoted her to office manager in her seventh year at the firm. She runs the office with clockwork precision. She solves problems quickly and firmly. The rest of the staff respect her because of her fairness, warmth and honesty.
It is
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