Unit 16grammar: passive voice

Illustrative Situations

/. Compare the following situations:

Mr Smith teaches well, (the subject is the doer of the action, the verb "teach" is in the Active Voice) The students are taught well, (the subject is the receiver of the action; it is acted upon, the verb "teach" is in the Passive Voice)

The Passive is used:

a) to give factual information:

The musical "Cats" is based on the poems of T. S. Eliot. It was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

b) when what is/was done is more important than who is doing/did the action:

Wine from California is exported to France.

c) to introduce general opinions:

It is now recognised as one of the most successful musicals of all time.

d) to express rules. Smoking is not allowed here.

It is forbidden to walk on the grass.

e) to describe processes: Bread is made from flour

The doer of the action in the passive constructions is introduced by the preposition "by". It is very seldom used.

When Mrs Brown was crossing the street she was stopped b> a policeman. Nowadays washing is done by washing-machines

Here are some examples of the other tense forms used in the Passive Voice: I. I think Jack will be invited to the party.

2. You won't be allowed to use these books.

3 The school was built in 1867. The rooms are small and dark and it looks like a prison. It is still being used although the local authorities have recently promised it will be pulled down.

4. Yesterday on my way home I dropped into the repair shop. I wanted to find out if my typewriter was ready. But it was still being repaired. They asked me to come in two days.

5. Richard's wife saw very good alarm clocks at special prices in a department store last week. She has gone back there today, but ail the clocks are gone. "I'm sorry, Madam", the salesgirl is saying. "All the clocks have been sold".

6. Patrick Connor has gone back to Ireland for a few days. Dublin has changed a lot. Patrick is talking to an old friend now. "A lot

of fine old buildings have been pulled down!" he says.

7. The chief engineer invited the heads of the departments to his office. He wished to know if his instructions had been carried out.

8. When I arrived the family were in the sitting-room. Tea had been cleared away and the curtains had been drawn. The wife and husband were going to watch TV. Mary, their daughter, was looking for something in the book-case. Her brother Robert was making a telephone call to his friend.

9. Come at 11, please. The papers will have been signed by that time.

SIMPLE PRESENT PASSIVE

Practice

/. Listen and imitate:

1. The post is delivered every morning. 2. Steel sinks when it is put into water. 3. Smoking is not allowed here. 4. He is often sent parcels. 5 Coffee is imported from Brazil. 6. Wine is produced in many parts of France. 7. Accidents are often caused by careless­ness. 8. Newspapers are sold at the newsagent's. 9. Clothes are washed at the launderette. 10. Films are shown at the cinema. 11. Bread is sold at the baker's. 12. Milk goes sour when it is left for three days. 13. Your report is highly spoken of. 14. The children are well looked after. 15. The machines are inspected every day. 15. Flowers die when they are not watered. 16. Lost time is never found again. 17. This article is often referred to. 18. He is paid a lot of money for his work. 19. What is made at this factory? 20. When is breakfast served here? 21. Where are bananas sold? 22. Who is invited to their parties? 23. What foreign languages are you taught at the Institute? 24. Are you allowed to use this library?

//. Substitute the stimulus nouns:

e.g. This museum is visited by thousands of people every year, (gallery)

This gallery is visited by thousands of people every year.

1. These articles are recommended for your work, (journals) 2. The documents are kept in the safe, (the money) 3. Many books are received by this library, (magazines) 4. New schools are built in our city every year, (offices) 5 Butter is made from milk, (cheese) 6. Books are published there, (newspapers)

///. Substitute the stimulus verbs:

e.g. The library is opened at 9. (close) The library is closed at 9.

1. The hall is cleaned on Saturday, (wash) 2. She is often sent interesting books, (give) 3. The documents are signed by Mrs Smith, (photo-copy) 4. Bread is bought at the baker's, (sell) 5. Meat is kept in the fridge, (put) 6. Trucks are produced at this plant, (make)

IV. Paraphrase the following sentences. Give two variants if possible.

e.g. They often show us foreign films at the Institute.

We are often shown foreign films at the Institute.

Foreign films are often shown to us at the Institute. 1. They grow rice in this area. 2. They publish newspapers here. 3. They deliver mail in the morning. 4. They import tea from India. 5. They sell shoes in that shop. 6. They speak Italian in Italy. 7. They produce butter on farms. 8. They often send us letters 9. They pay him a lot of money. 10. They don't allow us to smoke here. 11. They teach English, French and German at the courses. 12. They build a lot of houses in our town every year. 13. They hold conferences in the assembly-hall. 14. They give us three les­sons a day. 15. They don't tell us about their work. 16. They announce news every day. 17. They make lorries at that plant

V. Give negative answers to the following questions:

e.g. — Does Mrs Green deliver the post?

— No, the post isn't delivered by Mrs Green. 1. Does Mary type the documents? 2. Does the chief engineer sign the papers? 3. Does Jack repair the type-writers, too? 4. Does the boss write the letters himself? 5. Do the teachers prepare the lunch? 6. Does the secretary dictate the letters? 7. Do the salesmen inspect the machines?

VI. Ask general questions.

e.g. — Mr Smith is often sent to London on business. (Mr White)

— Is Mr White often sent to London, too? 1 We are given a lot of work to do. (you) 2. We are allowed to use this laboratory, (you) 3. Footwear is sold in this shop, (tex­tile) 4. They are taught Spanish. (French) 5. Bags are repaired there, (umbrellas) 6. Rice is grown here, (wheat)

VII. Ask special questions:

e.g. Breakfast is served early here, (when) When is breakfast served here?

1. They are taught two foreign languages, (what foreign lan­guages) 2. This journal is not published in Minsk, (where) 3. She is sometimes sent money orders, (how often) 4. Mr Brown is highly paid, (how much) 5. This work is not done by Mr Brown, (by whom) 6. The library is closed late, (when) 7. We are not invited to their parties, (who)

VIII. Make up sentences using the passive voice:

e.g. Books — sell — bookshop

Books are sold in that bookshop.

1. We — pay — twice a month 2. Coffee — serve — in the morning 3. Meetings — hold — that hall 4. Tickets — usually — book — in advance. 5. Letters — deliver — a postman 6. He — often — send — abroad 7. These taperecorders — use — our students 8. Important problems — discuss — our meetings 9. En­glish — speak — Australia

IX. Translate into English (self check):

1. Какой иностранный язык преподают в вашем институте? 2. Интересно, где издается этот журнал. 3. Я думаю, что эти книги продаются во всех магазинах. 4. Что производится на этой фабрике? 5. Этот список статей рекомендуется для вашей ра­боты. 6. В нашем институте часто демонстрируются зарубежные фильмы. 7. В котором часу закрывается библиотека? 8. Нам не разрешается выносить книги из читального зала. 9. Почту до­ставляют сюда самолетом? 10. Сегодня ожидается много гостей 11. Ему часто присылают письма. 12. Что продается в этом мага­зине? 13. Сколько вам здесь платят? 14. Где обычно проводятся собрания? Какие проблемы на них обсуждаются? 15. Где хра­нятся документы? Кем подписываются документы?

SIMPLE PAST PASSIVE

Practice

/. Listen and imitate:

\. Those paintings were sold for 500 pounds each 2 That's a good book. It was written by George Orwell. 3. I was offered an interesting job yesterday. 4. The doctor was immediately sent for 5. His car was not fixed in time, so he couldn't go to the city 6. Ro me wasn't built in a day. 7. Some coffee was brought to our room 8. The car was parked there. 9. I was frightened to death when I drove through Paris last month. 10. He was asked to give a speech at the party. 11. The woman was taken to hospital. 12. Our car was stopped because we were driving too fast. 13. He couldn't get into the room as the door was locked. 14. The ring was no! found. 15. The article was much talked about. 16. Everything wa~, done in time. 17. The letters were not signed yesterday. 18. I was given a book as a present.

//. Substitute the stimulus words:

e.g.: The watch was sold yesterday morning, (ring) The ring was sold yesterday morning.

1. Mary was given a ten days' leave. (John) 2. Mr Black was sent a visa. (Mrs Robinson) 3. The letter was brought in the eve­ning, (telegram) 4. The key was lost some days ago. (book) 5. The documents were left in the drawer, (money) 6. The oranges were put into the refrigerator, (apples) 7. Mary was promised help. (Dick)

///. Answer the questions:

e.g. — I think Mary baked the cakes, didn't she? — Yes, the cakes were baked by Mary

1. Betty cleaned the flat, didn't she? 2. Roger sent the parcel, didn't he? 3. I think Lucy typed the article, didn't she? 4. I think Steve photo-copied the papers, didn't he? 5. I think Susan transla­ted the text, didn't she? 6.1 think Donald caught that big fish, didn't he?

IV. Transform the following sentences with two objects:

e.g. They offered me a job at the hospital. 1 was offered a job at the hospital. A job was offered to me.

1. They showed the scientists a new research centre. 2. She gave me a pound of sugar. 3. He told the children fairy-tales 4. They paid him only part of the money. 5. The doctor prescribed me a lot of medicine. 6. They promised us seats in the first row.

7. The doctors advised him to take a long holiday. 8. She recommen­ded me a rest in the south.

V. Answer the questions using the prompts:

e.g. Who inspects the machines? the man who laughed so much Who explained the joke? the foreman The machines are inspected by the foreman. The joke was explained by the man who laughed so much.

1. Who made the biscuits? the manager

2. Who wraps the chocolate boxes? my wife

3. Who dictated that letter? the girls in the factory

4. Who prepared the medicine? the Chocolate Makers' Association

5. Who sells the newspapers? his secretary

6. Who brought the menu? the chemist

7. Who publishes the Chocolate Makers' Magazine? the newsagent

8. Who opens Mr Burbank's letters? The waiter

VI. Respond to the following:

e.g. They didn't ask me any questions. And Jack? Jack wasn't asked any questions either.

1. They didn't promise him help. And Robert? 2. They didn't send Dick a visa. And Alec? 3. They didn't invite John to the picnic. And Roger? 4. She didn't inform me about her arrival. And you?

5. They didn't tell me the news. And you? 6. He didn't allow me to use his dictionary. And you?

VII. Ask your partner when the parcel was brought; what was discussed at the last meeting; what mark he was given at his last English exam; if he is paid well; if he is often sent abroad; when he was last sent a letter; if he is often visited by his friends; what foreign language he was taught at school; by whom the text was translated; when the documents were photo-copied; when the newspaper was delivered; what is produced at that factory; when the tickets were booked; if his dictionary was found; when dinner is served; when the meeting was held; when America was disco­vered.

VIII. Translate into English (self check):

1. В прошлом году его не посылали за границу. 2. Когда за­казали билеты? 3. Когда доставили почту? 4. Соглашение было подписано 10 марта. 5 Почему ему не сообщили об ее отъезде?

6. Где проходила конференция? 7. Когда был построен этот вокзал? 8. Сколько писем было получено вчера? 9. Нас не при­гласили на вечер. 10. Мне не предложили билет на концерт. 11. Кем была выполнена эта работа? 12. Гостям показали лабо-

ратории института. 13. Этот вопрос обсуждался на нашем по­следнем собрании. 14. Документы были отпечатаны в пятницу

15. Письмо было написано моим секретарем два дня назад

16. О фильме много говорили. 17. Кто перевел эту статью?

SIMPLE FUTURE PASSIVE

Practice

/. Listen and imitate:

\. The letters will be sent tomorrow. 2. You will be given a good present for your birthday. 3. The machines will be inspected by the foreman. 4. You will be shown all the places of interest in our town. 5. I think you will be asked to help them. 6. The job will be adverti­sed in the morning paper tomorrow. 7. He hopes he will be sent a visa soon. 8. The report will be typed in an hour. 9. The plan will be discussed at tomorrow's meeting. 10. They will be informed about it today. 11. The work won't be finished soon.

//. Respond using the prompts:

e.g. — When are they going to publish Mr White's book? (next month)

— It will be published next month, I think.

1. When are they going to send the parcel? (in the morning) 2. When are they going to bring our luggage? (in an hour) 3. When are they going to finish the work? (tomorrow) 4. When are they going to book the tickets? (today) 5. When are they going to pack the luggage? (in the morning) 6. When are they going to translate the text? (in two hours) 7. When are they going to post the letters? (on Friday) 8. When are they going to hold the meeting? (on Mon­day) 9. When are they going to test the device? (the day after to­morrow) 10. When are they going to discuss the plan? (at 10 o'clock)

///. Answer the questions:

e.g. — They won't invite Alec to the party. And Jack?

— Jack won't be invited either.

1. They won't take Helen to the cinema. And Susan? 2. They won't send the parcels today. And the letters? 3. They won't bring the records today. And the taperecorder? 4. They won't tell Dick about it. And his wife? 5. They won't deliver the letter today. And the telegram?

IV. Ask questions:

e.g. — Robert will be taught Spanish. (Clare)

— Will Clare be taught Spanish too?

232 *

1. Steve will be told about it. (Mary) 2. Dick will be sent an invitation. (Mike) 3. Mr Black will be met at the station. (Mr Smith) 4. The article will be typed today, (the letters) 5. A school will be built in this area next year, (a shop) e.g. — The suitcases will be brought by the porter, (when) — When will they be brought?

1. The meeting will be held in room 20. (at what time) 2. The article will be translated by Mr Green, (when) 3. Supper will be served soon, (where) 4. The documents will be signed by the boss, (when) 5. He will be paid a lot. (how much) 6. The talks will be held in May. (where) 7. Some of your colleagues will be invited to the conference, (who) 8. This article will be published soon, (where)

V. Translate into English (self check):

1. Вам покажут много достопримечательностей в нашем го­роде. 2. Письмо пошлют авиапочтой? 3. Когда будут рассылать билеты на концерт? 4. Когда подадут обед? 5. В каком журнале будет напечатана эта статья? 6. Она сказала, что билеты будут заказаны через неделю. 7. Переговоры состоятся в октябре.

8. Я думаю, что вам дадут хороший номер в этой гостинице.

9. Я надеюсь, что работа будет завершена в срок. 10. Я уверен, что его пригласят на конференцию. 11. Где будет проводиться собрание? 12. Интересно, какой фильм будет демонстрироваться завтра. 13. Документы будут подписаны завтра. 14. Ей не скажут об этом.

Fluency

/. Listen and reproduce the following dialogues:

1. — What's the matter?

— I've just fallen off my bicycle.

— Oh, dear, is anything broken?

— I'm afraid the front wheel is buckled.

2. — What's the news?

— Michael is going to be sent to America to do research work.

— When did you hear that?

— It was announced yesterday.

3. — I envy Bill.

— Why?

— Because he'll be given a scholarship next year.

— Well, he deserves it.

4. Teacher: What do we get from sheep? Boy: Wool.

Teacher: And what do we make from wool?

Boy: I don't know.

Teacher: Well, what is your coat made of?

Boy: It was made from father's old coat.

5. Foreman: Come on, man, hurry up. Worker: Rome was not built in a day.

Foreman: May be not, but 1 wasn't foreman on that job.

6. Ken: I like your radio. Is it new?

Pat: Yes, I bought it last week. It's a Bisonic. Ken: Bisonic? I've never heard of it. Where was it made? Pat: I'm not sure. I think it was made in Japan. I'll have a look. No, I'm wrong. It was made in England.

//. Listen to the following texts. Ask and answer questions.

1. At 5.05 on Saturday 19 th July there was an accident at the junction of Euston Road and St. Pancras Road when a boy of 16 was knocked off his bicycle by a delivery van. Luckily he was not seriously injured. Patrick Kay, the 16-year-old boy, was taken to St. Pancras Hospital where he was treated for shock and a bro­ken arm. The accident was witnessed by several people and it was reported minutes later by the driver of the van, Mr Ralph Ripley, 45, of Wimbledon. Both the youth and the driver of the van were questioned afterwards by the police, who took the names and addresses of three witnesses.

2. There was a terrible storm during the night. A lot of damage was done. Trees and telephone wires were blown down, windows were smashed and a roof was blown off. A car was even overtur­ned. All this happened last night.

3. An old man had many sons who were always quarrelling. One day the sons were called before their father. A bundle of sticks was given to them and they were ordered to break it. Each of the sons tried with all his strength but the bundle could not be broken At last it was untied by the old man and each son was given one stick. Of course, the sticks were broken easily. "My sons", said the old man, "if you are together, live in friendship and help each other, you can always be strong and needn't be afraid of enemies".

4. Programmes for students studying English will be broad­cast every day. They will be planned for the whole term. They will be designed for those who have recently begun to study English. The programmes will be mainly based on situations from students' life. Some of the programmes will be given in the form of dialogue. They say that suggestions for further programmes will be wel­comed.

Self check

/. Use the verbs in the proper tense and voice:

\. Our tourist group (arrive) in Moscow in the morning. A bus (take) us to the hotel "Ukraina". After breakfast and a short rest we (invite) for a sightseeing tour of Moscow. We (want) to see as much as possible as none of us (be) in Moscow before. We (show) and (tell) a lot of interesting things. Before our tour (co­me) to an end we (learn) much about Moscow. 2. When are you going to post this parcel? — It (post) in an hour I think. 3. What language you (teach) when you (study) at the University? — French. 4. Why they (not, come) to the party? — Well, I (not, know). They (send) the invitations about a week ago. 5. When the tickets (book)?— In a week. 6. When I (reach) the building I (stop) by a policeman who wanted to see my pass. 7. Students (allow) to use dictionaries at the exam? — No, dictionaries (not, allow). 8. A new stadium (build) opposite our house last year. 9. You (look) for your gloves? Ask the attendant, some gloves (pick) up and (give) to him a few minutes ago. 10. The mother (tell) not to worry about her sick boy. "He (examine) soon by the doctor. Everything (be) all right, I'm sure", said the nurse. 11. I wonder whether Alice (invite) to the conference. Her report is very interesting. 12. When examinations (hold)? — They (hold) at the end of every term. 13. The old man (fall) down and (break) his leg. He (take) to hospital by a passing motorist. 14. I (wake) by the noise in the street. 15. I've heard that Mr Smith (not, write) his own speeches, they (write) by his secretary. 16. These textbooks (use) in all schools? — No. 17. Where the journals (keep)? — In the safe. 18. Don't worry. Everything (do) in time. 19. Drinks (not, serve) here after midnight. 20. Who this article (write) by' 21. An interesting article (publish) in the next issue of the maga­zine. The author of the article (work) at it for a long time. 22. Ask the librarian about the new books which (receive) last week. You (give) all the necessary information. 23. He (ask) this question at the examination. He (give) an excellent mark for his answer. 24. This book (discuss) at the next meeting of our English club. A lot of students (take part) in the discussion. 25. Where (be) the secretary? — She (call) to the boss a few minutes ago. 26. Mr Short is a good lecturer. He always attentively (listen) to.

//. Translate into English:

1. Туристам показали Собор Святого Павла, одно из краси­вейших зданий Лондона. 2. Нас привезли в аэропорт автобусом. 3 Где состоятся переговоры? -- В Женеве. 4. Этот роман был переведен на русский язык два года назад 5. Делегацию встре-

гили на вокзале. 6. Вчера ему предложили интересную работу в научно-исследовательском институте. 7. Пройдите к админи­стратору. Вам дадут ключ от вашей комнаты. 8. Вчера мне пред­ложили билет на этот концерт, но я отказался. 9. Когда будет доставлена телеграмма? — Через два часа. 10. На каком языке говорят в Австралии? — На английском. 11. Когда ему пошлют визу? 12. Мне были даны все необходимые инструкции. 13. О ней хорошо отзываются. 14. Какие вопросы будут обсуждаться на конференции? 15. Когда был покрашен пол?