Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Special passives:
My dress has been ruined (more polite than saying “You ruined my dress.”)
0) The passive voice is more common in English and English does not have the “se”
passive (se habla ingles), only the “to be + past part” passive (El producto es
introducido en las latas…)
1). Passive verb + (perfect) infinitive with to with verbs such as believe, consider,
expect, fear, know, say, think, understand, suppose.
He is known to be the best expert in his field..
The illness is believed to have originated in Africa.
Germany is considered to be the most powerful economy in Europe.
The accident was reported to have happened due to a mechanical failure
They are said to be very rich.
The burglars are thought to have stolen most of the jewels.
They are expected to arrive before midnight.
Many people are feared to have died after the Tsunami.
The animal, which was understood to be extinct, reappeared last year in a far-off island.
You are not supposed to smoke here.
He was told to pick up the pieces.
He is said to be one of the best pianists in Europe.
2). Verbs with two objects which can be followed by either of two alternative
positions of the objects (direct object + indirect object OR indirect object+ direct
object: gave the money to me/gave me the money). The indirect object can become
the subject of the passive:
Give, lend, offer, pay, promise, sell, send, show, teach, tell:
NOTE: In the case of verbs with two objects which can only be followed by direct
object + indirect object (in that order). Example: Mention, suggest, explain,
describe, the indirect object in the active voice cannot become the subject of the
passive structure:
*I was explained the problem (wrong). The problem was explained to me.
* He was mentioned the story (wrong). The story was mentioned to him.
3) We can make a passive form of many transitive two- and thre- word verbs.