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Advanced passive: have something done, impersonal passive
The passive voice is tested extensively in the EVAU. At B2 level, you must master causative have, impersonal passive structures and passive reporting verbs.
1. The passive voice: review
- Form: subject + be + past participle (+ by agent).
- All tenses: The book is read (present), was read (past), has been read (present perfect), will be read (future), is being read (continuous), had been read (past perfect).
- Modals: The work must be finished by Friday. It should have been done earlier.
2. Causative have / get
Used when someone arranges for another person to do something for them.
- Form: have/get + object + past participle.
- Meaning: you don't do it yourself; you pay or ask someone to do it for you.
Ejemplo
I had my car repaired yesterday. = A mechanic repaired it for me.
She is having her hair cut right now. = A hairdresser is cutting it.
We are going to get the house painted next week. = Painters will do it.
You should have your eyes tested. = An optician should test them.
Recuerda
Causative "have" and "get" are interchangeable in meaning, but "get" is slightly more informal. In EVAU transformations, "have" is more commonly tested.
3. Impersonal passive
Used with reporting verbs (say, believe, think, know, report, expect, consider, claim, allege, estimate) to report opinions or beliefs without specifying who holds them.
Two structures:
- It + passive reporting verb + that clause: It is said that he is very wealthy.
- Subject + passive reporting verb + to-infinitive: He is said to be very wealthy.
With different time references:
- Same time: to + infinitive. He is believed to live abroad.
- Ongoing: to + be + -ing. She is reported to be working on a new project.
- Earlier time: to + have + past participle. He is known to have written several novels.
Ejemplo
Active: People say that the company is losing money.
Impersonal passive (it): It is said that the company is losing money.
Personal passive (subject): The company is said to be losing money.
Active: Experts believe that the painting was stolen in 1990.
Impersonal passive: It is believed that the painting was stolen in 1990.
Personal passive: The painting is believed to have been stolen in 1990.
Ejercicio tipo EVAU
EVAU-style exercise: Rewrite the following sentences.
1. People say that he is the richest man in Spain. --> It ___ / He ___
2. They believe she left the country last month. --> It ___ / She ___
3. A professional photographer took our wedding photos. --> We ___
4. Someone is repairing my laptop at the moment. --> I ___
5. Experts consider this painting to be a masterpiece. --> It ___ / This painting ___
Ejercicios- Transform into causative: a) The dentist extracted my tooth. b) A tailor is altering my suit. c) An electrician will install the wiring.
- Rewrite using impersonal passive: a) People expect the president to resign. b) They claim that the drug cures cancer. c) Historians know that the Romans built this road.