3

DEVELOPING SKILLS Set B
Unit 3 Passives Grammar & Usage
Grammar & Usage

Unit 3 Passives
3.1 Active or passive?
3.2 Forming the passive
3.3 Using the passive
3.4 Changing active to passive
3.5 Using a passive expression to report something
3.6 Using with instead of by in passive sentences
Grammar Practice
Part A Part B Part C Part D Part E Part F
Language Practice
Part A Part B
http://www.aristo.com.hk
1
Teacher’s notes
3.1 Active or passive?
When the subject performs the action, the verb is said to be
active. When the subject receives or is the object of the
action, the verb is said to be passive.
Active Ted sent the email.
Passive The email was sent by Ted.
P.21
2
3.2 Forming the passive

The passive voice is normally formed by using the correct
form of be + the past participle (p.p.) of the verb. The
following table shows how the passive voice is used with
different tenses:
P.21
4
Tense Structure Active Passive
present The sheets are

She changes the
am/are/is + p.p. changed every
simple sheets every week.
week.
The sheets were
She changed the
past simple was/were + p.p. changed this
sheets this morning.
morning.
future will/shall be She will change

The sheets will be
the sheets
simple + p.p. changed tomorrow.
tomorrow.
present am/are/is + The sheets are

She is changing
being changed
continuous being + p.p. the sheets now.
now.
P.21
5
Tense Structure Active Passive
past She was changing The sheets were

was/were being
the sheets when I being changed
continuous + p.p.
arrived. when I arrived.
present have/has been She has changed The sheets have
perfect + p.p. the sheets. been changed.
She had changed The sheets had
past
had been + p.p. the sheets when I been changed
perfect
arrived. when I arrived.
She will have The sheets will
future will/shall have changed the have been
perfect + been + p.p. sheets by the time changed by the
you arrive. time you arrive.
P.21
6
1 The tenses that are not included in this table do not

accept the passive voice.
2 Intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive.

 Wrong: The patient was died last night.
 Correct: The patient died last night.
Teacher’s notes
P.21
7
3 In informal speech or writing, get can be used

instead of be (am/are/is/was/were, etc.) in the
passive, especially when something happens by
accident, unexpectedly or in an unplanned way.
He got hurt when he fell off his bicycle.

Compare: He was hurt when he fell off
his bicycle.
P.21
9
4 In conversation, we sometimes use be (am/are/is/

was/were, etc.) + the past participle with the verbs
come, go, finish, etc. instead of using these verbs
in the perfect tenses.
I am finished (= have finished). Let’s go.

He is gone (= has gone). They have no
idea where he is now.
P.21
10
3.3 Using the passive

We use the passive when:
• we do not know who or what was responsible for
something
My wallet was stolen.
Compare: Someone stole my wallet.
P.22
11
• we are not interested in who or what was responsible, but

we are interested in the action
The temple was built more than 300 years ago.

Compare: The villagers built the temple to
worship the sea goddess.
The passive voice is common in scientific writing.
P.22
12
In a passive sentence, the by + agent is not

usually mentioned because our interest is not in the
doer of the action. If our interest is in the doer of the
action, we use an active sentence.
Compare: Mr Chan has painted his house.

He is going to sell it.
(interest in the doer)
The house has been painted. It
looks new now.
(interest in the action)
P.22
13
3.4 Changing active to passive
Structure Active  Passive
modals You can post the letter  The letter can be posted
(can/could, on the way home. on the way home.
may/might,
must, should,
etc.)
P.22
14
be (am/are Sharon is going to  All her friends are going

/is/was/were, invite all her friends. to be invited.
etc.) going
to
used to People used to grow  Rice used to be grown in

rice in the New the New Territories.
Territories.
P.22
15
people say People say that green  It is said that green tea is
… tea is good for our good for our health. /
health. Green tea is said to be
good for our health.
They say that she was  It is said that she was an

an actress. actress. / She is said to
have been an actress.
P.22
16
they believe They believe that the  It is believed that the

… news is untrue. news is untrue. / The
news is believed to be
untrue.
P.22
17
3.5 Using a passive expression to report something

We use the structure have something + p.p. to report
something unpleasant or unexpected has happened to
someone.
Mr Chan had his car stolen last week.

(= Mr Chan’s car was stolen last week.)
Teacher’s notes
P.23
18
In this structure, have can be replaced by get in informal

speech and writing.
Your coat is dirty. You must get it cleaned.
P.23
20
3.6 Using with instead of by in passive sentences

We sometimes use with instead of by to talk about:
• an instrument which is used by the doer of the action
The victim was killed with a knife.
Compare: Police believe that the victim was
killed by someone he knew.
P.23
21
• materials or ingredients
The glass was filled with water.
Pancakes are made with flour and eggs.
P.23
22
When giving details, it is possible to use other

prepositions:
The concert was held at Queen Elizabeth

Stadium.
The tourists will be driven to the airport after
lunch.
The building was destroyed in a fire.
The game was won during the last minutes
of play.
I was shocked by his reaction.
P.23
23
Grammar Practice
Rewrite the following sentences in the passive voice. Follow
the steps outlined below if you need help. The first one has
been done for you.
P.23
24
1 They gave me 24 hours to make my decision.
was given 24 hours to make my decision.

I _______________________________________________
________________________________________________
2 We can cook fish in several ways.
can be cooked in several ways.

Fish ____________________________________________
________________________________________________
HINTS P.23-24
25
3 The singer will release her new album next week.
The singer’s new album ____________________________

will be released next week.
________________________________________________
4 I doubt if we should tell her the truth.
she should be told the truth.

I doubt if ________________________________________
________________________________________________
HINTS P.24
27
5 The newspaper says that the football star is in Hong Kong.
said in the newspaper that the football star

It is ____________________________________________
is in Hong Kong.
________________________________________________
6 We understand that Mr Wong will resign soon.

Teacher’s notes
to be resigning soon.
Mr Wong is understood ____________________________
________________________________________________
HINTS P.24
29
7 The suspect may be hiding in Macau.
to be hiding in Macau.
The suspect is believed _____________________________
________________________________________________
8 People say that many people have been involved in the case.
to have been involved in the

Many people are said ______________________________
case.
________________________________________________
HINTS P.24
32
Read the following sentences, then create new sentences

using the passive voice. Begin each sentence with the given
words. The first one has been done for you.
P.24
34
1 We don’t often see hawkers in this street.
aren‛t/are not often seen in this street.

Hawkers ________________________________________
________________________________________________
2 They haven’t found a solution to the problem yet.
hasn’t/has not been found

A solution to the problem ___________________________
yet.
________________________________________________
HINTS P.24
35
3 They’re not going to replace Jack.
isn’t/is not going to be replaced.

Jack ____________________________________________
________________________________________________
4 They hadn’t decorated the hall when I arrived.
hadn’t/had not been decorated when I

The hall _________________________________________
arrived.
________________________________________________
HINTS P.24
37
5 They have not found a cure for the disease.
hasn’t/has not been found.

A cure for the disease _____________________________
________________________________________________
6 Nobody has called to reserve this table.
hasn’t/has not been reserved.

This table ________________________________________
________________________________________________
HINTS P.25
39
7 Peggy’s parents didn’t approve of her travel plans.
weren’t/were not approved of

Peggy’s travel plans _______________________________
by her parents.
________________________________________________
8 They won’t carry out any building renovations this year.
No building renovations ’ll/will be carried out this year.

____________________________
________________________________________________
HINTS P.25
41
Use each of the following sentences to ask questions, using

the given words and the passive voice. The first one has been
done for you.
Teacher’s notes
P.25
43
1 paint/your brother
Was it painted by your

This picture is beautiful. ____________________________
brother?
________________________________________________
2 who/invite
Who was invited

No guests have arrived. _____________________________
______________________________________ to the party?
HINTS P.25
45
3 it/must/finish
Must it be finished
This job will take time. ______________________________
___________________________________________ today?
4 what/discuss
What’s/is
There’s a heated argument going on. ___________________
being discussed?
________________________
HINTS P.25
47
5 it/can/resolve
can it be resolved
This is a very sensitive issue. How _____________________
___________________________ so that no one is offended?
6 the flights from Paris/delay
There’s a heavy snowstorm in Europe. _________________

Have the
flights from Paris been delayed?
________________________________________________
HINTS P.25
49
7 it/tow away
I didn’t see the damaged vehicle when I got to the scene. ___
Had it been towed away?
_________________________________________________
8 where/they/find
Where
They say the stolen goods have been recovered. __________
were they found?
________________________________________________
HINTS P.25
51
Complete the following questions and statements using the

given words. You can use either the active or passive voice. The
first one has been done for you.
P.26
53
1 anybody/injure
Was
I heard that there was an accident this morning. __________
anybody injured
_______________________________________________ ?
2 she/find
They told me that the missing girl has returned home. Where
was she found
_______________________________________________ ?
P.26
54
3 steal
Melinda told me that someone broke into your house last

was stolen
night. What _____________________________________ ?
4 the meeting/not/last/long
Sarah Were you at the meeting all afternoon?

the meeting didn’t/did not last long .
David No, ____________________________________
I was back home around four.
P.26
55
5 yellow/not/suit
Lily What do you think of this dress?

Mandy The dress is great, but the colour isn’t quite right.
Yellow doesn’t/does not suit
______________________________________ you.
6 bakery/close
Mother Did you buy the bread?

Boy the bakery was closed
No, _____________________________________ .
P.26
56
7 make/gold
Is it made of gold
Your watch is beautiful. ____________________________
______________________________________ ?
8 it/be going to/mend
’s/is it going
The computer is still broken. When __________________
to be mended
_______________________________________________ ?
P.26
57
Read each of the first sentences. Then, complete the second

sentences using the have something done structure + the
given words. The first one has been done for you.
Teacher’s notes
P.26
58
1 it/service
Mr Chan’s car is still in good condition. He _____________

has it
serviced
________________________________________ regularly.
2 should/it/check
Your washing machine is making a strange sound. You ___

should have it checked
______________________________ before it breaks down.
P.26
60
3 must/it/wash
must have it
There is an ink stain on your shirt. You ________________
washed
____________ immediately.
4 need/it/repaired
‘Your mobile phone isn’t working.’ ‘Yes, I _____________

need to
_______________________________________________
have it repaired .’
P.26-27
61
5 a tooth/fill
I’ve made an appointment with my dentist. I’m going to ___

have a tooth filled
____________________________________ this afternoon.
6 her carpet/clean
had her
Mrs Chan had to stay home yesterday. She _____________
carpet cleaned
________________________________________________
by a professional carpet cleaner.
P.27
62
7 must/it/cut
must have it cut

Your hair is too long. You __________________________
___________________________________________ soon.
8 it/repair
You can borrow my bicycle if you want to. I’ve _________

had
it repaired
________________________________________ .
P.27
63
Match the statements/questions in Column A with the

responses in Column B. Write your answers in the space
provided. Each sentence in Column B can be used ONCE only.
The first one has been done for you.
P.27
64
Column A
1 Your ankle is swollen. E

_________
2 There’s a stain on this T-shirt. J

_________
3 The air conditioner’s broken. F

_________
4 Why were you absent yesterday? A

_________
5 My glasses are broken. B

_________
COLUMN B P.27
65
Column A
6 Should I throw this broken alarm H

_________
clock away?
7 The flat is in complete darkness. I

_________
8 Mr Wong looks very happy. C

_________
9 This room is a mess. G

_________
10 Have you submitted your application? D

_________
COLUMN B P.27
67
Language Practice
Read the following conversation, then use your own words
to complete the short text at the bottom of this page. Make
sure that you use the correct voice. The first one has been
done for you.
P.28
69
Ben Did you know that coffee was first discovered in

the 10th century? People in Europe only started to
drink coffee about four hundred years ago, when
merchants started importing coffee beans to Italy.
Alice Is that so?
Ben People were afraid to drink it at first, though they
found the smell enticing.
Alice Why?
P.28
70
Ben They were afraid it would be bad for them.

Alice How did they find out it was harmless?
Ben A king ordered a man who had been sentenced to
death to drink a cup of coffee in exchange for a
pardon.
Alice What happened?
Ben The prisoner lived to be 80 years old!
P.28
71
Coffee was not (1) to Europe until about four imported

(1) ____________
hundred years ago. People were attracted (2)

the smell, but they dared not drink it because by
(2) ____________
they were worried (3) their health. Then, a about

(3) ____________
king (4) an idea. He ordered a cup of coffee had

(4) ____________
to be made for a man who had been sentenced

pardoned/
to death. He said to him, ‘Drink this and you’ll released/
be (5) . freed
(5) ____________
CONVERSATION P.28
72
executed/
If you don’t, you will be (6) immediately.’ The killed
(6) ____________
man (7) . ‘I’m going to (8) anyway,’ he thought. agreed

(7) ____________
die
(8) ____________
He drank the coffee. Nothing (9) to him. The happened

(9) ____________
king waited. Days (10) . Then months. The passed

(10) ____________
prisoner remained in a good state of (11) . At health

(11) ____________
last the king was satisfied. He (12) his kept

(12) ____________
promise and ordered the man to be (13) from released

(13) ____________
prison.
CONVERSATION P.28
75
Read the following news report, then complete the passage

below using information from it. Use ONE word for each
gap. Note that the words may or may not be in the news
report. The first one has been done for you.
P.29
78
Huge livestock losses have been sustained in the south after

a heavy snowfall on Tuesday evening, covering the area with
knee-deep snow. A combination of snow, strong winds and
low temperatures have caused chaos, and major roads are
now blocked with thick snow. Many houses have collapsed
and there have been injuries as a result. The bad weather is
expected to continue, according to the China News Service. 
P.29
79
Jan 20
We’re (1) in our hostel. There (2) a heavy stranded

(1) ____________
snow storm last night, and traffic (3) to was

(2) ____________
a standstill. We’d wanted to (4) to a village (3)came/has come

____________
5 km away for supplies, but the road was trek/walk
(4) ____________
(5) . I think it’ll be some time before it is (6) closed/

to traffic. blocked
(5) ____________
opened/
open
(6) ____________
NEWS REPORT P.29

80
The heavy snow has (7) a great toll on the taken

(7) ____________
locals. According to the hostel manager,

some houses have (8) under the weight of collapsed
(8) ____________
the heavy snow on their roofs. People were

seriously (9) when their houses (10) on them. injured
(9) ____________
I’m not sure if anyone was (11) but quite a fell

(10) ____________
number of livestock have (12) .

killed
(11) ____________
died
(12) ____________
NEWS REPORT P.29

82
The locals have (13) great losses suffered

(13) ____________
and I feel very sorry (14) them. for

(14) ____________
NEWS REPORT P.29

84

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DEVELOPING SKILLS Set B

Unit 3 Passives Grammar & Usage

Grammar & Usage

Active Ted sent the email.

Passive The email was sent by Ted.

3.2 Forming the passive

Tense Structure Active Passive

present The sheets are

future will/shall be She will change

present am/are/is + The sheets are

Tense Structure Active Passive

past She was changing The sheets were

1 The tenses that are not included in this table do not

2 Intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive.

3 In informal speech or writing, get can be used

He got hurt when he fell off his bicycle.

4 In conversation, we sometimes use be (am/are/is/

I am finished (= have finished). Let’s go.

3.3 Using the passive

• we are not interested in who or what was responsible, but

The temple was built more than 300 years ago.

The passive voice is common in scientific writing.

In a passive sentence, the by + agent is not

Compare: Mr Chan has painted his house.

3.4 Changing active to passive

Structure Active  Passive

Structure Active  Passive

be (am/are Sharon is going to  All her friends are going

used to People used to grow  Rice used to be grown in

Structure Active  Passive

They say that she was  It is said that she was an

Structure Active  Passive

they believe They believe that the  It is believed that the

3.5 Using a passive expression to report something

Mr Chan had his car stolen last week.

In this structure, have can be replaced by get in informal

Your coat is dirty. You must get it cleaned.

3.6 Using with instead of by in passive sentences

When giving details, it is possible to use other

The concert was held at Queen Elizabeth

1 They gave me 24 hours to make my decision.

was given 24 hours to make my decision.

2 We can cook fish in several ways.

can be cooked in several ways.

3 The singer will release her new album next week.

The singer’s new album ____________________________

4 I doubt if we should tell her the truth.

she should be told the truth.

5 The newspaper says that the football star is in Hong Kong.

said in the newspaper that the football star

6 We understand that Mr Wong will resign soon.

7 The suspect may be hiding in Macau.

to have been involved in the

Read the following sentences, then create new sentences

1 We don’t often see hawkers in this street.

aren‛t/are not often seen in this street.

2 They haven’t found a solution to the problem yet.

hasn’t/has not been found

3 They’re not going to replace Jack.