Passive voice (II)

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by marinasgonzalez5

by marinasgonzalez5

"BE" + Past Part. (+ "BY"/"WITH","OF"/"FROM"/"AS"/"TO")

Some verbs called intransitive (without objects) such as "appear" or "seem", and other transitive verbs such as "have" or "let", are not used in the passive voice.

1) We don't use "BY" if we don't know how does the action, if it's not important or if it's obvious: "The thieves were arrested (BY the police)." / "English is taught in class (BY the teacher)."

2) We (can) use "WITH" for tools and equipment: "The family was rescued from their house WITH a long ladder."

3) We (can) use "OF" for materials: "The table was made OF wood."

4) We can also use other prepositions" : "Some letters were given to him." / ".Chinese is always seen as the most difficult language."

Impersonal passive

"IT" + Passive voice

1) "The Government WAS SAID TO pass the law" = "IT WAS SAID (THAT) the Government was going to pass the law".

2) "Children ARE SAID TO be afraid of ghosts" = "IT IS SAID (THAT) children are afraid of ghosts."