Special Passive Structures
A . Henry gave some flowers to Claire. Some flowers were given to Claire.
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Dir. Object Indir. Object Clairewas given some flowers.
It’s quite normal in English for a person to be the subject in a passive sentence.
Mike was sent tickets for the concert. (Майку послали билеты на концерт)
Mikesent tickets for the concert. (Майк послал билеты на концерт).
Here are some verbs we can use in this structure: agree, allege, announce, assure, believe, consider, decide expect, explain, hope, know, report, say, suggest, suppose, think, understand
B. It is said that … ( говорят, что…)
It + passive verb + clause = When we cannot say or do need to say who the speaker is, for example, in news report.
It is expected that the strike will end soon. The strike is expected to end soon.
It is thought that the company is planning a new advertising campaign. (Полагают, что…)
It was reported that the President had suffered a heart attack. ( сообщалось, что…сообщали, что... )
It has been agreed that changes to the scheme are necessary. (достигнута договоренность о том, что…)
Here are some verbs that can be used in this structure:
| It is It was | agreed alleged announced assured believed considered decided expected explained hoped known | …………………………. …………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………… | It has been | said suggested supposed thought understood | ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… |
C. He is said to … Subject + passive verb + infinitive.
Henry is saidto be in love with Claire. (Говорят, что Генри влюблен в Клер.)
This structure is also used in news reports.
United were expected to win. (Ожидали, что Юнайтид выиграют.)
The company is thought to be planning a new advertising campaign. (Полагают, что…)
The President was reported to have suffered a heart attack. (Сообщалось, что…)
Here are some words which can be used in this structure:
| is was ………………. | believed expected found known reported said thought supposed | Полагают (ли) Ожидают (ли) Установлено…обнаружено… Известно (было) Сообщается (лось) Говорят (ли) Считают(ся) (лось) Предполагают (предполагалось) |
I.Zedco managers are writing a report saying how ell the company looks after its employees.
Write sentences from the notes. Put the important underlined information at the end of the sentence.
Useful work skills/ they are taught to our staff. Our staff are taught useful skills
People with initiative/ they are given opportunities. Opportunities are given to people with initiative.
1 special training / it is given to new employees
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2 staff who perform well / they are given extra payments
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3 company shares /they are offered to most employees
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4 six weeks’ holiday/ this is allowed to all Zedco staff
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5 women who leave to have children / they are paid a full salary
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II. 
Report these rumours. Instead of the active (e.g. People say…) use the passive (e.g. It is said that…)
People say this: