Unit 6 Grammar

A D V A N C ED PA SS IV E
S TR U C TU R ES A N D
A R TIC LES
Passive and Form allanguage

We often use verbs like believe,

consider, expect, know, report, say
and think in the passive to write
formally.
We can use it + passive (present or
past) to do this.

E.g. It was thought that the world

was flat.
Passive and infi
nitives

We can also use a passive with an infintive:

Subject + passive (present or past) + infinitive

E.g.

Tomatoes were believed to be poisonous

Tomatoes were believed to have been
poisonous. (perfect infinitive)
 Sugus question
We used to think many crazy things (Like the Earth
being flat and hollow (hueco) but which of these
statements is actually false?

a) It is known that Hippo milk is pink.

b) It is believed that the name Jessica was created by
Shakespeare.
c) It was reported in 2003 that humans share 50% of
their DNA with bananas.
d) It is said that it rains diamonds on Jupiter and Saturn.
e) It is thought that you lose most of your body heat
through your head.
f) It is known that the national animal of Scotland is the
Unicorn.
There + passive (present or past) + infi
nitive

We can also make the sentence

impersonal by putting there
instead of the subject.

E.g. There were thought to have

been a million people in Plaza Mayor
today.
Present beliefabout a past
event
If we want to make a sentence about
a present belief about a past event
we use:

Present simple passive followed by a

perfect infinitive (to have + p.p)

E.g. Chocolate is known to have been

discovered by the Aztecs.
Passive w ith m odals,gerunds and infi
nitives.

Verbs that are followed by an

infintive or gerund stay the same in
the passive.

E.g. I cant stand being kept waiting

ARTICLES A/AN
We use the indefinite article A/An:

1) When we want to know what something is

E.g. Whats that? Its an apple.

2) When we say someones job.

She is a doctor.

3)When we mean any example of anything.

Is there a police station near?

4) To mean per or for each

My mum earns 1000 a week.
Sugus Q uestion

What is this?
Sugus question

a) A board eraser
b) A carpet in a house
c) A welcome mat
d) A beard
e) A sponge
ARTICLES TH E
We use the when....
1) Its clear what we are talking about
Hes got a son and a daughter. The son is called Chris.

2) When there is only one of something

What is the time?

3) When the situation is clear

Have you finished the activity?

4) With most nationality words

The Australians are known for being very attractive.
ARTICLES TH E

5) Rivers, mountain ranges, deserts and

seas.
The Nile, The Mediterranean.
6) Some countries/Islands
The USA, The Canary Islands.
7) In set phrases
Lets listen to the radio.
8) With an adjective to refer to a group of
people,
The poor, the rich, the politicians.
ARTICLES N O ARTICLE

We dont use an article when....

1) We make generalisations
Dogs are cute. Bananas are tasty.
2) Most countries, towns, lakes and
mountains.
Spain, Lake Superior
3) With some nouns following a preposition.
At home/school, by bus/train
4) With meals
Have breakfast, lunch...
 Sugus Q uestion
In the UK, there are some crazy laws, but which of
these isnt true?

A) On your 100th birthday, the Queen will send you a

birthday card
B) All horses must have a passport
C) The average age for a persons first kiss is 15.
D) Princess Kate helped boost the UK economy by over
1 billion pounds in 2012.
E) Everyone in the UK is somewhat related to the
Queen.
F) The British Navy used Britney Spears songs to scare
pirates in Somalia.
G) They are all true.