Passive voice

[Serpream]

This time I face problems with applying the passive voice to sentences. Can anyone explain me the "how to's", please?

Thanks in advance.

[Uncle M]

Here's a simple example to get you started.

Active voice: The dog bit the man.

Passive voice: The man was bitten by the dog.

Give me an example of something you want to say in passive voice and I'll do it for you.

Dave

[Serpream]

Oke, this three then:

1. They thought that George Eliot was a man.
2. Up to now nobody has thelephoned us.
3. People say that he has sold all his shares.

Please explain how this works.

[Uncle M]

George Elliott was thought to be a man

Up to now we have been telephoned by no-one

It is said by people that all of his shares have been sold

Take example 2 - Active voice would be No-one has telephoned us.

Active voice means that the subject (No-one) does something to the object (us) (nominative to accusative)

Passive voice turns the object (us) into the subject of an action by something else (no-one).

In example 3 there are 2 passive statements: It is said by people, shares have been sold.

Does this help?

[Serpream]

Don't know. Let me try:

1. Somebody was going to contact us soon
My solution:
1. We were contacted by somebody soon.

2. The Prime minister was to have openend the new bridge.
My answer:
2. The new bridge was to have openend by the Prime minister.

3. Somebody has stolen the Crown Jewels
Me again:
3. The Crown Jewels have been stolen by somebody

4. Students do a lot of part-time work.
4. A lot of part time work is done by students.

[Uncle M]

1. We were to be contacted by somebody soon.

2. The new bridge was to have been opened by the Prime minister.

3. The Crown Jewels have been stolen by somebody - Correct

4. A lot of part time work is done by students - Correct

Yes,I think you've got it! Well done!

[Serpream]

Oke, thanks for your help, but I have few left. These are too difficult for me I think:

1. They say that the lawyer gave him the details of his father's will

1. The details of his father's will was given by the lawyer


2. They reported that Angelina Jolie is having an affair with Brad Pitt.

2. Angelina Jolie.... ?


3. You don't have to switch the computer off at the end of the day.

3. How to start?


I think I understand it. You just turn around the Subj and obj. right?

[Uncle M]

1. They say that the lawyer gave him the details of his father's will

1. The details of his father's were said to have been given by the lawyer


2. They reported that Angelina Jolie is having an affair with Brad Pitt.

2. Angelina Jolie was reported to be having.... ?


3. You don't have to switch the computer off at the end of the day.

3. The computer does not have to be switched off by you...

[Serpream]

Thanks for your help dave. I still dont know the rules. Are there any rules or a how to, like I asked for? Because I just try something and make it sound good.

[Serpream]

Can anyone give me some sentences to make passive? Just for myself, please.