Using and not mentioning the agent

1. Change of focus

The passive can changethe emphasis of a sentence.

Jack won the prize. (focus on Jack)

The prize was won by Jack. (focus on the prize)

2. Unknown agent

The agent is not mentioned if unknown.

My wallet has been taken.

In this case, there is no point in adding an agent: 'by somebody'

3. Generalised agent

If the subject is 'people in general' or 'you' the agent is not mentioned.

Bicycles are widely used in the city instead of public transport.

4. Obvious agent

If the agent is obvious or has already been mentioned, it is not mentioned.

Linda has been arrested! (we assume by the police)

The company agreed to our request and a new car-park was opened.

5. Unimportant agent

If the agent is not important to the meaning of the sentence it is not mentioned.

I was advised to obtain a visa in advance.

6. Impersonality

Using the passive is a way of avoiding the naming of a specific person who is responsible for an action.

It has been decided to reduce all salaries by 10%.

In descriptions of processes, there is emphasis on the actions performed rather than on the people who perform them.

Then the packets are packed into boxes of twenty four.

Activities

1. Correct any verb forms which are impossible or inappropriate.

a) A lot of homes in the area have been being broken into by burglars. (have been broken into)

b) As I drove south, I could see that the old road was rebuilding.

c) I suppose the letter will have been delivered by now.

d) There is nothing more annoying than been interrupted when you are speaking.

e) Jim was been given the sack from his new job.

f) Somehow without my noticing my wallet had been disappeared.

g) The new shopping centre was opened by the local MP.

h) Harry is been questioned by the police about the accident.

i) A lot of meetings have been held, but nothing has being decided yet.

j) Last week it is decided not to have an office party after all.

2. Both sentences in each pair have the same meaning. Complete the second sentence.

a) The crowd was slowly filling the huge stadium.

The huge stadium was slowly being filled by the crowd.

b) The invention of the computer simplified the work of accountants.

Since the computer.................... the work of accountants.................... simplified.

c) Someone has suggested that the shop should close.

It.................... that the shop should close.

d) 'I'd take out some travel insurance if I were you, Mr Smith.'

Mr Smith.................... take out some travel insurance.

e) The waitress will bring your drinks in a moment.

Your drinks.................... in a moment.

f) Someone used a knife to open this window.

This window.................... a knife.

g) You will hear from us when we have finished dealing with your complaint.

After your complaint..................... you will hear from us.

h) An announcement of their engagement appeared in the local paper.

Their engagement.................... in the local paper.

i) Nobody ever heard anything of David again.

Nothing.................... David again.

j) They paid Sheila £ 1000 as a special bonus.

£1000.................... Sheila as a special bonus.

3. Ask questions beginning with the question-words suggested.

Example: Russian is spoken all over our count­ry. (Where?)

Where is Russian spoken in our co­untry?

1. Beautiful girls are often envied (what girls?).

2. Watches are made of gold and metal. (What... of?)

3. The report on Byron's poetry was made in Sep­tember. (When?)

4. This novel was written by Leskov. (Who... by?)

5. The ship was built in Germany. (Where?)

6. The man has been operated on the heart. (What... on?)

7. Summer plans will be discussed after our exams. (What? When?)

8. The flat was furnished in a very good taste. (How?)

9. Many beautiful ensembles in our city were designed by Rossi. (Who... by)

10. He will be punished for the harm he has done. (What... for?)

11. The table was laid for two. (For how many?)

12. Two thousand roubles were paid for this col­lection of books. (How much?)

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