Verbs with two objects

Some verbs that have two objects can make two different active sentences, and so two different passive sentences too: Give

• Active: He gave me the book / He gave the book to me.

You can choose either of the two objects to be the subject of the passive sentence.

• Passive: I was given the book (by him)/ The book was given to me (by him).

Other verbs like this are: ask, offer, teach, tell, lend, promise, sell, throw.  Try an exercise about this here

The passive in subordinate clauses

You can make the passive in a subordinate clause that has a subject and a normal conjugated verb. This is really the same as a normal passive.

• Active: I thought that Mary had kissed John.

• Passive: I thought that John had been kissed by Mary.

• Active: He knew that people had built the church in 1915.

• Passive: He knew that the church had been built in 1915.

You can also make the passive using a passive gerund or a passive infinitive in the same place as a normal gerund or infinitive.

• The child loves being cuddled.

• She would like to be promoted.

Try an exercise about this here

When should we use the Passive?

1.When we want to change the focus of the sentence:

The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. (We are more interested in the painting than the artist in this sentence)

2.When who or what causes the action is unknown or unimportant or obvious or 'people in general':

He was arrested (obvious agent, the police).

My bike has been stolen (unknown agent).

The road is being repaired (unimportant agent).

The form can be obtained from the post office (people in general).

3.In factual or scientific writing:

The chemical is placed in a test tube and the data entered into the computer.

1.In formal writing instead of using someone/ people/ they (these can be used in speaking or informal writing):

The brochure will be finished next month.

1.In order to put the new information at the end of the sentence to improve style:

Three books are used regularly in the class. The books were written by Dr. Bell. ('Dr. Bell wrote the books' sound clumsy.)

1.When the subject is very long:

I was surprised by how well the students did in the test. (More natural than: 'how well the students did in the test surprised me')

Exercises: a) Make these active present simple sentences passive. You don’t need to repeat ‘somebody’ 

1) Somebody cleans the office every day

2) Somebody sends emails 

3) Somebody cuts the grass

4) Somebody prefers chocolate

5) Somebody often steals cars

6) Somebody plays loud music 

7) Somebody speaks English here

8) Somebody loves the London parks

9) Somebody wants staff

10) Somebody writes articles

b) Make these active present perfect sentences passive. You don’t need to repeat ‘somebody’ 

1) Somebody has watered the plants ____

2) Somebody has taken the money ____

3) Somebody has bought the presents ____

4) Somebody has finished the report ____

5) Somebody has killed the President ____

6) Somebody has repaired the road ____

7) Somebody has elected that man ___

8) Somebody has learned lessons _____

9) Somebody has fired John _____

10) Somebody has ordered new books _____

c) For each sentence, choose either the active or the passive form of the verb...and the correct tense!

1. That door ____ (paint) yesterday.

2. Michelangelo ______ (paint) the Sistine Chapel.

3. Michael Schumacher ____ (drive) for Ferrari in 2003.

4. In the UK, everyone ___ (drive) on the left.

5. Inter-city trains ____ (usually/drive) by men.

6. The 'La Stampa' newspaper _____ (read) by two million people in Italy.

7. My car _____ (steal)! Call the police!!!!

8. The thieves _____ (steal) the gold last week.

9. The Queen _____ (open) the bridge tomorrow.

10. The bridge ______ (destroy) by the storm last night.

Listening

Listen to the speakers and check your answers.

Which speakers do you think has the healthiest lifestyle? Which speaker’s description do you think is true for you? Why?

Reading

Health, Healthy lifestyle

We are healthy when all parts of our bodies and of our minds work together properly. We cannot be happy unless we feel well.

The ancient Greeks knew the value of good health. They even named one goddess Hygeia, which means goddess of health. Hygeia was the daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine. The Greeks prayed to her to give them good health.

The Romans spoke of health in a proverb: “A healthy mind in a healthy body.” In addition to physical health, an understanding of mental health is also important. The body does a great deal to take care of itself, but by learning a few important health rules, it is possible to help the body to work at its best.

Many people will say: “Good health means not being ill.” That’s true. But health is much more than that. We have good health when bodies and our minds are able to work at their best.

The human body is much more complicated than any machine. Yet it needs less day-to-day care than any machine. No machine can do all things the body can do. No machine will work for 70 years or more, day and night, requiring only air, water, food and a few simple rules.

Millions of people all over the world are fond of sport and games. Sport helps people to stay in good shape, keeps them fit, healthy and makes them more organized and better disciplined in their daily activities.

We have always paid great attention to sport in our schools, colleges and universities.

You can hardly find a university without a gym or sport ground. Every city and town has a few stadiums or a swimming pool where local competitions are usually held.

It’s been a tradition in every country to divide sport into professional and amateur. There are different sporting societies and clubs in our country. Many of them take part in different international tournament and are known all over the world. A great number of different records have been set by our sportsmen: players, swimmers, figure skaters, runners, high jumpers. Our sportsmen also participate in the Olympic Games and always win a lot of gold, silver, bronze medals.

There are also a lot of amateur clubs and keep-fit centers in our country where people go in for aerobics, yoga, body– building, swimming, skating, and jogging. Thousands of people go to the stadiums to support their favorite team and many, many thousands prefer to watch the game on TV more. But watching sport events and going in for sport are two different things.

My favorite kind of sport is tennis. I’ve been playing it since I was eleven years old, and the more I like it. There is a good tennis court not far from my house and whenever I have a chance I go there with a friend of mine.

Answer the questions:

1. Are people happy if they don’t feel well? 2. Whom did the ancient Greeks pray to give them good health? 3. Mental health is as important as physical health, isn’t it? 4. Why is sport so important in our life? Why do people go in for sport? 5. Is there a gym or a sport ground in your university? 6. Do you go in for sports or do you prefer to watch other people playing? 7. What is your favorite kind of sport? 8. What team are you a fan of? 9. Do you take part in any competitions? 10. What games are popular in Kazakhstan?

Speaking

What should I do?

Look at the health problems on the pictures and give an advice using one of the following 3 forms of giving advice

a) YOU SHOULD…

b) DON’T…

c) YOU SHOULDN’T …

You have an earache. You shouldn’t listen to loud music.

1. I have a headache.

You should have a rest. 2. I have a toothache. ____________________.3. I have a stomachache____. 4. I have a cough.__________________________

Writing

The popularity of extreme sports has grown a lot for the last decades. More and more people are getting involved in this activity. Others are sure that it is silly of such people to risk their lives. Would you like to attempt such extreme sports?

Tasks for self-study

Read the text and write a brief summary of this text. Retell it.

Reading

Read the article and choose the statement a–d which summarises it best.

a. People who like football have incredible memories.

b.Football fans behave in an unusual way, which can be very irritating.

c.Some people are very passionate about football, but it can be dangerous for them.

d.Being a football fan is bad for men’s health but not for women’s.