Using Passives

Question 1

Use a passive when:
1. Omit the agent. It is unknown, it’s people in general, is unimportant, is obvious.
2. In factual writing, procedures, and processes.
3. Formal contexts, omit the agent.

Answer 1

1. My office was broken when I was on holiday. An order form can be found on page 3. He’s thought to be somewhere in Russia. She is being treated in Hospital.
2. Nuclear waste will still be radioactive after 20,000 years, so it must be disposed of very carefully.
3. They’re installing the new computer systems next month. (informal).
   The new computer system is being installed next month.

Question 2

Some nouns related to the verb can be used in passive.

Answer 2

The installation of the new system will be completed next month.

Question 3

Put the topic at the beginning of a sentence.

Answer 3

All the valves were manufactured by Boron Group.

Question 4

It is more natural to put LONG subjects at the end of a sentence.

Answer 4

I was surprised by Dev’s decision to give up his job and go live in Sydney.

Question 5

Instead of an If-clause, it is normal to use an IT clause.

Answer 5

Everybody believed that the plan would fail.
It was believed that the plan would fail. (more natural).
That the plan would fail was believed. (not natural).