Personal / impersonal construction

Active	Passive
Personal	Impersonal
People say that he has lost his job.	He is said to have lost his job.	It is said (that) he has lost his job.
	Говорят, (что) он потерял работу.

 

Some verbs used in this pattern:

Think

Believe

Know

Allege

Expect

Assume

Say

Consider

Suppose

Report

Understand

Find

 

Exercise 1. Complete the sentences, as in the example.

e.g. It is expected that he will win the race tomorrow. - He is expected to win the race tomorrow.

1. It is said that she speaks seven languages. She ________. 2. It is believed that the missing jewellery has been found. The missing jewellery _______. 3. It is thought that she is a talented pianist. She ________. 4. It is said that the athletes train for eight hours every day. The athletes ________. 5. It is expected that the American team will break the world record. The American team ________. 6. It is known that she is hiding somewhere in the city. She ________. 7. It is reported that the world leaders have reached an agreement. The world leaders ________. 8. It is reported that the thieves have escaped from prison. The thieves ________. 9. It is expected that they will give her the prize. She ________.

 

Exercise 2. Complete the following sentences.

e.g. It is said that this orchestra is the best in the world. This orchestra is said to be the best in the world.

1. It is believed that the thieves have left the country. The thieves ______. 2. The fire is reported to have started by accident. It ________. 3. He is known to be making a lot of money. It ________. 4. It is expected that they will arrive in time for dinner. They ________. 5. She is said to know a lot about gardening. It ________. 6. It is thought that he will be attending the meeting. He ________. 7. It is believed that we are able to win the competition. We _________. 8. The company is thought to be making a big profit. It _________. 8. It is reported that the government has reached a decision. The government ________. 9. It is said that they were responsible for the damage. They ________. 10. She is expected to break the world record. It _________. 11. He is known to have several foreign bank accounts. It ________. 12. They are reported to have financial problems. It ________.

 

Exercise 3. Make up situations of your own using the following common sentence openings in which the verbs are used in the passive voice.

1. It is generally agreed that… 2. It is well known that… 3. It is hoped that… 4. It has been decided that… 5. It has often been questioned whether…

6. It was widely assumed that… 7. It was taken for granted that… 8. It is only to be expected that… 9. It has now been proved that… 10. It must be borne in mind that…

HAVE \ GET SOMETHING DONE

 

USE	EXAMPLE
to say that we have arranged for someone to do something for us	I am having my car repaired. – Мне ремонтируют машину. He had his flat redecorated. – Он сделал ремонт квартиры (работали мастера).
to say that something unpleasant happened to somebody	Paul had his bike stolen yesterday. = Paul’s bike was stolen. – У Пола вчера украли велосипед.

 

Notes: 1) the verb get instead of the verb have is used only in informal conversation

e.g. You must get / have your hair cut this week.

2) Questions and negations of the verb have are formed with do / does or did

e.g. Did you have your house painted?

Present Simple	He paints the house.	He has the house painted.
Present Continuous	He is painting the house.	He is having the house painted.
Past Simple	He painted the house.	He had the house painted.
Past Continuous	He was painting the house.	He was having the house painted.
Future Simple	He will paint the house.	He will have the house painted.
Future Continuous	He will be painting the house.	He will be having the house painted.
Present Perfect	He has painted the house.	He has had the house painted.
Present Perfect Continuous	He has been painting the house.	He has been having the house painted.
Past Perfect	He had painted the house.	He had had the house painted.
Past Perfect Continuous	He had been painting the house.	He had been having the house painted.
infinitive	He must paint the house.	He must have the house painted.
-ing form	It’s worth painting the house.	It’s worth having the house painted.

 

Exercise 1. Make up sentences using have / get smth. done; use different tenses:

1 to decorate the hall;

2 to repair my bicycle;

3 to write all the letters by noon;

4 to clean the apartment;

5 to send the invitations;

6 to complete the work;

7 to make all the necessary arrangements;

8 to print the new article;

9 to report the accident to the police;

10 to translate the text.

 

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences using the verb in brackets and any other words given. Use the causative form with have or get.

e.g. A: ‘Your hair looks nice.’

B: ‘Thanks. I’ve just _________.’ (cut) – ‘Thanks, I’ve just had it cut. ’

1.	A: B:	I’m finding it difficult to read small print nowadays. Why don’t you go and ________? (eyes; test)
2.	A: B:	What a lovely dress - where did you buy it? I didn’t. I ________ by the dressmaker down the road.(make)
3.	A: B:	My car’s been making some funny noises just lately. You should _________. (service)
4.	A: B:	Your hair looks different! What have you done to it? I _________, that’s all. (just; cut)
5.	A: B:	This house is freezing. Yes, we need _________. (central heating; install)
6.	A: B:	The living room looks lovely. I’m glad you like it. We’ve _________. (just; redecorate)
7.	A: B:	Why aren’t you wearing your watch? I ________ at the moment. (repair)
8.	A: B:	Oops! Sorry, I’ve spilt some wine on your trousers. Don’t worry. I was going to ________anyway. (clean)
9.	A: B:	That tree is blocking the view from my front window. Well, you don’t expect me ________, do you? (cut down)
10.	A: B:	I’ve got a terrible toothache. Well, why don’t you go and _________? (that cavity; fill)
11.	A: B: A: B: A: B:	I (1) _________ (an extension; build) on my house this week. That’s nice. When it’s finished, (2) ________ (it; decorate)? No. I’m going to do that myself. First, though, I (3) ________ (double glazing; fit). (4) ________ (carpets; lay)? I’m not sure yet. How about you? (5) ________ (you; your curtains; deliver) last week? Yes. They’re really nice. I also (6) ________ (the carpets; clean), so everything looks lovely now.

 

Exercise 3. Read the situations, then write sentences using have something done.

e.g. John’s suit is dirty. It has to be dry-cleaned. What should he do?

He should have his suit dry-cleaned.

1. All Linda’s clothes are made specially for her. What does she do? 2. They arranged for their house to be painted last week. Now it has been done. What have they done? 3. Malcolm’s car was broken into last night. What happened to him? 4. Her bag was stolen yesterday. What happened to her? 5. A printer has printed party invitations for Emma. What has Emma done? 6. Diana is at the hairdresser’s. The hairdresser is cutting her hair. What is Diana doing? 7. Robert is taking his car to the garage for a service tomorrow. What’s he going to do? 8. Their roof has a hole in it. What should they do? 9. Tracey's bicycle has got a puncture. What should she do?

 

* Exercise 4. Rewrite the sentences using have something done.

e.g. His teeth are checked twice a year. – He has his teeth checked twice a year.

1. Her skirt is being cleaned at the moment. 2. My hair is trimmed once a month. 3. Central heating is going to be installed in our house next month. 4. Sam’s burglar alarm was fitted last week. 5. The band’s new single has just been recorded. 6. Our new furniture is going to be delivered tomorrow. 7. Their new house is being decorated at the moment. 8. A new jumper has been knitted for me. 9. The lock has to be fixed. 10. A new pair of glasses is going to be made for him. 11. Their windows need to be cleaned. 12. The hairdresser was styling Mrs Brown’s hair. 13. She told her son to carry the shopping to the house. 14. Dad is going to arrange for someone to cut the grass. 15. They used to employ a cleaner who cleaned the house. 16. Did the mechanic repair Paul’s motorbike? 17. The boss asked his assistant to type the letter. 18. A plumber fixed the dripping tap for Joe. 19. Have you told the secretary to make some photocopies? 20. The chef was cooking Tom’s lunch. 21. Did you tell the shop to deliver the sofa to you? 22. My purse was stolen last Friday. 23. Did you employ a painter to decorate your house? 24. The builders are putting a new roof on Adam’s house at the moment. 25. She asked the maid to polish the silver. 26. The man had asked the porter to take his luggage to his room. 27. Did you ask Jenny to arrange the flowers for you? 28. When will your glasses be made? 29. I hired a professional to cater for my party. 30. Did you ask anyone to sweep the chimney? 31. She asked him to do the shopping. 32. Their house was burgled last night. 33. His shop’s windows were smashed in the riot.

 

Exercise 5. Rewrite the sentences using have something done.

e.g. The hairdresser is cutting my hair on Tuesday.

I’m having my hair cut by the hairdresser on Tuesday.

1. Did a professional make the cake for you? 2. An electrician fitted the new lights for Sandra. 3. The woman had asked the waiter to bring the bill to the table. 4. They employed a plumber to fit the shower. 5. Have you asked the secretary to fax the contract to Mr Oakwood? 6. Alan’s mum washes all the clothes. 7. The mechanic at the garage serviced their car. 8. He told the student to clean the blackboard. 9. Somebody washes my car once a month. 10. Mr Norton told his assistant to write the report. 11. The star’s latest film has just been released. 12. Their swimming pool will be drained. 13. The carpets must be laid in our flat by Monday. 14. The brakes on my bicycle have been oiled. 15. Our desks are being painted at the moment. 16. Her bookcase was delivered last week. 17. A new computer has been ordered for me. 18. Annie’s sculptures are going to be exhibited tomorrow. 19. A skateboard was being made for Tim.

 

Exercise 6. Translate into English using have something done.

1. Я почистил костюм (я отдавал его в чистку). 2. Она сшила новое платье (ей сшили его). 3. Я отдам машину в ремонт в следующем месяце. 4. Нам только что установили телефон. 5. Где я могу проявить (отдать проявить) пленку? 6. Почему вы не продлили визу? 7. Я только что наточил нож (мне его наточили). Не порежься. 8. Я чищу этот костюм каждый месяц. 9. Не могли бы мне доставить этот пакет в аэропорт? 10. Вам уже измерили температуру?

 

Exercise 7. Cross out the unnecessary word.

1. This parcel was being delivered this morning. 2. Mr Jones he is expected to arrive tomorrow. 3. The jewellery was disappeared from the safe last night. 4. The manager is said that to have decided to employ more staff. 5. The man was seen to getting into a black car. 6. The scientist is thought to have been invented a time machine. 7. They made him to reveal the secret plans. 8. Did you have had the house decorated by a professional? 9. We have been had new locks installed. 10. Valerie was being sent on an important mission last month. 11. She doesn’t mind to having her house photographed for interior decoration magazines. 12. The famous star is believed to have been signed a new multi-million dollar contract. 13. This car it is expected to be very popular with the younger generation. 14. She was seen to entering the Plaza Hotel late last night. 15. The painting was disappeared from the owner’s house yesterday. 16. Did you have had the food provided by a caterer? 17. The Prime Minister is said that to be thinking of introducing a new tax. 18. You should to have an extension built as soon as possible. 29. She insists on having been her breakfast brought to her room at nine o’clock sharp.

 

 

NOT USING THE PASSIVE