Some verbs can have two objects (give, ask, offer, pay, show, teach, tell, etc.), so it’s possible to make t_____ passive sentences with them.
Some verbs can have two objects (give, ask, offer, pay, show, teach, tell, etc.), so it’s possible to make two passive sentences with them.
Someone gave the police the information. So we can make two passive sentences:
- The police were given the information. (firstobject, c.o.i.)
- The information was given to the police. (second object, c.o.d.)
When we use two-objects-verbs <em>(coi + cod)</em>, most often we begin with the pers___ <em>(coi)</em>.
When we use two-objects-verbs, most often we begin with the person.
- I was offered the job, but I refused it. (= they offered me the job)
- You will be given plenty of time to decide. (we will give you plenty of time)
- Have you been shown the new machine. (= has anybody shown you)
- The men were paid $200 to do the work. (= somebody paid the men $200)
The passive of doing / seeing, etc., is b___ done / b___ seen, etc.
The passive of doing / seeing, etc., is being done / being seen, etc.
Active: I don’t like people telling me what to do.
Passive: I don’t like beeing told what to do.
- I remember being taken to the zoo when I was young. (= I remember somebody taking me to the zoo)
- Steve hates being kept waiting. (= he hates people keeping him waiting)
- We managed to climb over the wall withtout beeing seen. (without anybody seeing us)
You can use g__ instead of be in the passive (mainly in informal spoken English) only when things hap___ or ch____ .
You can use get instead of be in the passive (mainly in informal spoken English) only when things happen or change. (action not state)
- There was a fight at the game, but nobody got hurt. (=nobody was hurt)
- I don’t often get invited to the parties. (= I’m not often invited)
- I’m surprised Ann didn’t get offered the job. (= Ann wasn’t offered the job)
“Get” is used only when things happen or change. We can’t use get in these sentences:
- Jill is liked by everybody.
- Wery little was known about him.
Use the passive. They didn’t give the information I needed. _____ .
Use the passive. They didn’t give the information I needed. I wasn’t given the information I needed.
Use the passive. They asked me some difficult questions at the interview. _____ .
Use the passive. They asked me some difficult questions at the interview.
I was asked some difficult questions at the interview.
Use the passive. Jessica’s colleagues gave her a present when she retired. _____ .
Use the passive. Jessica’s colleagues gave her a present when she retired. _____.
Jessica was given a present by her colleagues when she retired.
Use the passive. Nobody told me about the meeting. _____.
Use the passive. Nobody told me about the meeting. _____.
I wasn’t told about the meeting.
Use the passive. I think they should have offered John the job. _____
Use the passive. I think they should have offered John the job. _____.
John should have been offered the job.
Use the passive. Has anybody shown you what to do? _____?
Use the passive. Has anybody shown you what to do? _____?
Have you been shown what to do?
Complete using being. Steven hates _____ (keep) waiting.
Complete using being. Steven hates being kept waiting.
Complete using being. We went to the party without _____ (invite).
Complete using being. We went to the party without were being invited.
Complete using being. I like giving presents, and I also like _____ (give) them.
Complete using being. I like giving presents, and I also like being gaven them
Complete using being. It’s a busy road and I don’t like crossing it. I’m afraid of _____ (hit).
Complete using being. It’s a busy road and I don’t like crossing it. I’m afraid of being hit.
Complete using being. I’m an adult. I don’t like _____ (treat) like a child.
Complete using being. I’m an adult. I don’t like being treated like a child.
Complete using being. Few people are prepared to work without _____ (pay).
Complete using being. Few people are prepared to work without being paid.
