Ch 15
Passive (advanced)
get + PP · reporting · double passive
At C1 you master double passives, passive with reporting verbs, "get + PP" passive, and the passive of complex tense forms.
Standard passive
be + PP — The book was written in 1900.
get + PP (informal)
He got promoted last month.
Double passive
The agreement is expected to be signed soon.
Reporting passive
It is widely believed that... / He is said to be...
Informal alternative to be
He got fired. (= was fired, more conversational)
Sudden / unexpected events
She got injured in the accident.
Reflexive in feeling
I'm trying to get used to it.
Fixed expressions
get married, get divorced, get dressed, get hurt, get lost, get caught
"Get + PP" is informal — avoid in academic writing. Use "be + PP" in formal contexts.
It + is/was + reported/said/thought/believed + that + clause ✓
Type 1: impersonal "it"
It is believed that the suspect has fled.
Type 2: subject + passive + to be
The suspect is believed to have fled.
Past in present
She is thought to have left the country. (= it is thought she left)
Common verbs
say · report · think · believe · know · consider · expect · claim · allege · suppose
Modal + be + PP
The report must be submitted by Friday.
Modal + have been + PP
It should have been done earlier.
Present perfect passive
The bridge has been repaired.
Past perfect passive
The contract had been signed by then.
Continuous passive
The road is being repaired. / It was being built when I arrived.
to be + PP (passive infinitive)
She wants to be promoted.
being + PP (passive gerund)
Nobody likes being criticised.
to have been + PP (perfect passive inf)
She was lucky to have been chosen.
having been + PP (perfect passive gerund)
Having been informed, she acted swiftly.
She is thought to leave the country last year.
→
She is thought to have left the country last year.
past event → to have + PP
It should been done yesterday.
→
It should have been done yesterday.
modal + have been + PP
The road is repairing now.
→
The road is being repaired now.
continuous passive = is being + PP
Recap
get + PP
informal passive
got promoted, got married
Reporting
It is said that / X is said to be
It is believed / X is believed to have
Complex tenses
modal/perfect/continuous + be/been + PP
should have been done / is being repaired
Inf/gerund passive
to be + PP / being + PP
wants to be told / hates being told