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Passive Form : step 3

Before starting this third step of our study of the Passive Form, you should first remember 'the miracle formula'.

The Passive is built with the SUBJECT (enduring the action) + the AUXILIARY of the passive (BE) in different tenses and/or modes + the PAST PARTICIPLE of the verb. 

 The student      was punishedi   (by the teacher.)    = The student was punished          (by   the teacher)

= subject                 V in the       ACTOR (he acted)  =      Subject    +  BE + past participle .            ACTOR(agent)

  enduring               passive                                                                                                             introduced by: BY

 the action. 

In the passive form, the active Predicate (complement) is becoming the passive SUBJECT.   The person who's doing the action endured by the subject is the ACTOR(or agent), introduced by BY. . The 'actor' is seldom mentioned in English (except if its omission makes the sentence difficult to understand.)

ex: Nobody obeyed the teacher. => The teacher wasn't obeyed.  

- Let 's remember that in the Passive, in Phrasal Verbs, particles or prepositions mustn't be left out of the verbs requiring them!

Now, we are going to study a specific case that foreign learners have trouble to build and use in a natural way. If they don't, it automatically identifies them as foreigners.

THE PASSIVE FORM OF VERBS WITH TWO COMPLEMENTS :  

Such verbs are, for instance : give, say, tell, lend, show, teach, grant, promise, write...

Using them, you have to forget the basic rule of the passive Form and the object Complement momentarily. Paradoxical, isn't it?

ex: Kevin's parents will give him a wonderful present for his graduation. 

- Kevin's parents = The Subject of the Verb 'to give'.

- 'Will give' =  Active verb in the future; its passive form => 'will be given'.

- 'Him' is the personal complement ( or Indirect Complement ) representing Kevin. 

IN THIS CASE, when there's an Object Complement and a Personal Complement for the same verb, the priority is given to the person and the agent (or actor), is superfluous and omitted. 

The idiomatic Passive Form will be: 

- Kevin will be given a wonderful present for his graduation. 

- They expected Pietro to receive a warmer welcome. => Pietro was expected to receive a warmer welcome.

- Somebody showed you the way to the station.=> You were shown the way to the station. 

- They'll sell you a swim hat if you don' have one of your own. => You'll be sold a swim hat if you don't have one of your own.

- Has somebody told you the truth, at last? => Have you been told the truth, at last? 

* If the Object Complement is really the important element of the sentence, it may EXCEPTIONALLY, be the subject of the Passive sentence. 

 - Of all the paintings in The Louvre, the famous  Mona Lisa will be explained to the many tourists.

Well, well! This third part was the most 'difficult' one, and it will require more care and attention... Study it carefully, and then, you'll have done with this construction which seems to frighten you so much... Ready for the test?  Go for it! 

I know that learners don't like it when they have to write the exercises fully.  They much prefer to have to pick and choose already typed answers. Here, you'll simply have to choose the right answer among the full sentences given.  Aren't you spoilt ?

Then, when you have successfully done the 3 exercises of the 3 steps, you should come back to the original test where you'll have to write the right passive yourselves... You have the motivation, I give you the FORCE!  Good luck!  Victory is drawing near!  

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1. He will show my brother the most unexpected theatre play. >>My brother will be shown the most unexpected play.The most unexpected play will be showed to my brother.My brother will be showed the most unexpected play.I don't know
2. Have you given the kid the drink he kept asking for? >>Has the drink he kept asking for been given to the kid?Have you given the kid the drink he keep asking for?Has the kid been given the drink he kept asking for?I don't know
3. Everybody expects you to give an answer right away.>> An answer expected to be given right away.You expect everybody to give an answer right away.You are expected to give an answer right away.I don't know
4. They will make you work, whether you want it or not.>> You will be made work, whether you want it or not.You will be made working, whether you want it or not.They will be made work, whether they want it or not.You will be made to work, whether you want it or not.I don't know
5. They told you the truth, didn't they? >> You are told the truth, aren't you?The truth were told to you, weren't it?You were told the truth, weren't you?I don't know
6. They'll teach you the Passive form, and you'll understand it.>> You'll be taught the Passive Form, and you'll understand it.The Passive Form will be teached to you, and you will understand it.You'd be taught the Passive Form, and you'd understand it.I don't know
7. Someone reported the misunderstanding to me and I forgave you. (2 passives)>> The misunderstanding has been reported to me and you were forgiven.I was reported the misunderstanding then you were forgiven.I was reported the misunderstanding and you've forgiven me.I don't know
8. Someone asked the teacher a very difficult question. >> A very difficult question was being asked to the teacher.The teacher had been asked a very difficult question.The teacher was asked a very difficult questionI don't know
9. They will give the kids a second helping of ice cream. >>The kids will be giving a new helping of ice cream.A second helping of ice cream would be given to the kids.The kids will be given a second helping of ice cream.I don't know
10. The nurse is showing the young mother her newborn baby. >> The newborn baby is showed to the young mother.The young mother is being shown her newborn baby.The young mother is shown her newborn baby.I don't know