Verbs with prepositions in the passive

We use by + doer 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.

A number of trees were blown down by the strong wind.

We use with + instrument or material.

I was hit with an umbrella, (instrument)

The room was filled with smoke, (material)

If a verb is followed by a preposition + object, the preposition stays with the verb in a passive sentence.

People shouted at the chairman during his speech. =>The chairman was shouted at during his speech.

Exercise 8. Complete the sentences with by or with.

Example: Three climbers were killed by an avalanche.

1. He was brought up___ his aunt.

2. The cake was made___ dried fruit.

3. The garage was painted___ a new kind of paint.

4. The safe was blown open___ the robbers.

5. He was killed___ a falling stone.

6. Her kindness was appreciated___ everybody.

7. The room was filled ___ the scent of roses.

Exercise 9. Rewrite the following sentences in the passive. Start with the words provided.

Example: They insisted on the item. - The item was insisted on.

1. About an hour or so someone sent for me. I ___.

2. Nobody slept in the bed. The bed ___.

3. I'm sure everybody will speak about his latest film. The film ___.

4. The hotel staff are looking after us very well. We ___.

5. We've just sent for the doctor. The doctor ___.

6. The Smiths left for Canada five years ago, and nobody has heard of them since. The Smiths ___.

7. Somebody broke into the museum this morning. The museum ___.

Exercise 10. Complete the sentences with the appropriate passive form of the verbs in brackets.

Example: The message needs to be sent immediately, (send)

1. The problem is quite serious. Something needs ___ about it soon, (do)

2. Tom's parents should___ the truth: the child is dying, (tell)

3. They don't know if Dick will accept their offer. He may___ already___ a job by another firm, (offer)

4. - Would you like___ fashionably ___? (dress)

- Who wouldn't?

5. - Why couldn't the window ___? (open)

- It was painted shut.

6. - Your sister didn't expect a call from me. She must ___. (surprise)

- She was.

7. Will I ever love and ___? (love)

8. Old people are extremely vulnerable. They ought to _ with love and care, (treat)

9. A goal might___ but I don't think there is much chance.(score)

10. Are you kidding? That painting can't___ at 5000 dollars, (sell)

It is said that she ... / She is said to ... (Complex Subject)

The Passive Voice is often used to talk about what other people say, believe, etc.

People		say		that	Derek		is	a promising student. (The Active Voice)
It		is said		that	Derek		is	a promising student. (The Passive Voice)
Derek			is said				to be	a promising student. (The Complex Subject Construction)

NOTE:

1. When we refer to an earlier action, we use the 'perfect infinitive' (to have + Participle II)

The fire is believed to have started late last night. (= It is believed that the fire started late last night.)

2. When we refer to an action in progress, we use the 'continuous infinitive' (to be + Participle I)

Norma is known to be living in Rome. (= It is known that Norma is living in Rome.)

The Complex Subject Construction is used in a formal style with the following verbs: believe, claim, consider, expect, know, report, think, understand, etc.

The President is reported to be seriously ill.

Exercise 11. Read the following sentences. Then make two new sentences in the passive. Begin with the words in brackets.

Example: People say that John Wilson lives in Los Angeles. (It)/(John Wilson)

It is said that John Wilson lives in Los Angeles.

John Wilson is said to live in Los Angeles.

Newspapers reported that two prisoners had escaped. (It/ Two prisoners)

It was reported that two prisoners had escaped.

Two prisoners were reported to have escaped.

1. People think that those cars are rather unreliable. (It)/(Those cars)

2. People say that the concert was very good. (It)/(The concert)

3. People consider this idea a rather challenging one. (It)/(This idea)

4. Historians claim that the monument is 2000 years old. (It)/(The monument)

5. People know that Mr. Tigers will retire in October. (It)/(Mr. Tigers)

6. Journalists reported that six people had been injured in the accident. (It)/(Six people)

7. People say that Brenda is working for IBM. (It)/(Brenda)

Exercise 12. In the story that follows most of the sentences are in the active. Rewrite it so that they are in the passive. Change all sentences except those in brackets. Don't use by and such words as them or people, but keep all the words necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

Someone has just taken me to see Stratford-on-Avon, a lovely place which thousands of tourists visit every year. They devote the whole town to the memory of William Shakespeare. My friend showed me all the interesting sights. At the theatre, a fairly modern one which they built about forty years ago, they give performances of the plays which Shakespeare wrote. Leading actors and actresses take the famous roles. (When we were there), a brilliant young actress played the part of Juliet. They say she has a great future. Someone showed me an old painting and told me it was a contemporary portrait of Shakespeare. (I hope) someone will give you the chance to see and enjoy this charming and historical town.