Advanced Passive Structures

1. The Get-Passive (Informal/Spoken English)#

In informal, spoken English, we often replace the auxiliary verb be with get to form the passive voice.

Usage & Focus

• Used to describe sudden, accidental, or unexpected events.
• Focuses on the change of state rather than the state itself.
• Usually used without a by-agent.

Formula: Subject + get/gets/got + Verb 3 (Past Participle) + ...

• Standard Passive: The thief was caught by the police.
• Get-Passive: The thief got caught.
• Standard Passive: He was fired yesterday.
• Get-Passive: He got fired yesterday.
• Standard Passive: Nobody was injured in the crash.
• Get-Passive: Nobody got injured in the crash.

2. Passive Infinitives and Gerunds#

Just like active verbs, infinitives (to + verb) and gerunds (verb-ing) can be converted into the passive voice when the subject of the action is receiving the action.

A. Passive Infinitives

1. Active Form: to + Verb 1
2. Passive Form: to be + Verb 3 (Past Participle)

• Active: I want to invite them.
• Passive: I want to be invited to the party. (I want to receive the invitation).
• Passive: There is a lot of work to be done today.

B. Passive Gerunds

1. Active Form: Verb-ing
2. Passive Form: being + Verb 3 (Past Participle)

• Active: He dislikes people criticizing him.
• Passive: He dislikes being criticized. (He dislikes receiving criticism).
• Passive: She enjoys being photographed by professionals.

3. The Impersonal / Reporting Passive (Formal English)#

In news reports, academic writing, and formal statements, we often use passive structures with reporting verbs (such as say, believe, think, report, expect, know, claim). This allows us to state opinions or facts without attributing them to a specific person.

There are two primary structures for the reporting passive:

Structure A: It + Be + Verb 3 + That-Clause

This structure is very simple and acts as a direct translation of “It is said that…”.

• Active: People say that he lives in London.
• Passive A: It is said that he lives in London.
• Active: Experts believe that the economy will grow.
• Passive A: It is believed that the economy will grow.

Structure B: Subject + Be + Verb 3 + To-Infinitive

This structure is more advanced because it shifts the subject of the second clause to the beginning of the sentence.

• Active: People say that he lives in London.
• Passive B: He is said to live in London.
• Active: Experts believe that the economy will grow.
• Passive B: The economy is believed to grow.
• Active: People report that the thief stole the diamond.
• Passive B: The thief is reported to have stolen the diamond. (Use to have + Verb 3 for past actions).

4. The Causative Passive (Have / Get Something Done)#

We use the causative passive when we arrange for another person to perform a service or action for us, rather than doing it ourselves.

Formula: Subject + have/get (any tense) + Object + Verb 3 (Past Participle)

• Active (I do it): I painted my house yesterday.
• Causative (Professional does it): I had my house painted yesterday. (I paid someone to paint it).
• Active: She repaired her car.
• Causative: She got her car repaired. (She took it to a mechanic).
• Active: You should clean your suit.
• Causative: You should have your suit cleaned.

Have vs. Get: Both are grammatically correct and mean the same thing. However, get is slightly more informal and often implies that there was some difficulty or effort involved in arranging the task.

5. Summary Grid of Advanced Passive Structures#