[Grammar] People believe that homeschooling is not a novel idea.

[ambitious-girl]

I am practicing using impersonal passive in my sentences. Now I wonder if it is used correctly in the following statements:

People believe that homeschooling is not a novel idea.

It is believed that homeschooling is not a novel idea.

Homeschooling is believed not to be a novel idea.

 

[Lynxear]

Homeschooling is not believed to be a novel idea.

 

[ambitious-girl]

Thanks Lynxear. So, when we have a negative word in impersonal passive, we need to imply that word in the first part of our sentence.

 

[Rover_KE]

You mean state - not imply.

'It is believed that homeschooling is not a novel idea' is grammatical; Lynxear gave you a more natural version.

 

[Rover_KE]

Also answered here.


We recommend posting a question on one forum only initially. If you do not get a satisfactory answer from that forum and you feel that you have exhausted its possibilities, then of course trying a different forum might help. It is only courteous however, to tell the second forum that you have already asked the question on another forum and then give a precis of the answers you received there, or provide a link to it, along with an explanation of why you are now looking elsewhere.
(emsr2d2)

 

[ambitious-girl]

Thanks Rover_KE. Sure. I'll do what you stated for the next time. Now, I have added the link of this forum in my post of that forum.

 

[Lynxear]

Thanks Lynxear. So, when we have a negative word in impersonal passive, we need to imply that word in the first part of our sentence.

It does not matter whether the sentence is impersonal or personal passive, present or past, simple, continuous or perfect the placement of the negative is always within the verb construction.

Simple present passive
The books are placed on the table.
The books are not placed on the table.

Simple past passive
He was acclaimed as a champion tennis player.
He wasn't acclaimed as a champion tennis player.

Present Progressive Passive
He is being lauded for his intelligence.
he isn't being lauded for his intelligence.

Past Progressive Passive
We were being held responsible for the loss of the diamonds.
We were not being held responsible for the loss of the diamonds.

Present Perfect Passive
He has been assaulted by the bully
He hasn't been assaulted by the bully

Past Perfect Passive
The window had been broken on Thursday.
The window had not been broken on Thursday.

Finally, If there is an adverb in the sentence the negative is place as shown below.

Simple present passive
The books are not carefully placed on the table.
Simple past passive
He was not loudly acclaimed as a champion tennis player.
Present Progressive Passive
He is not being universally lauded for his intelligence.
Past Progressive Passive
We were not being firmly held responsible for the loss of the diamonds.
Present Perfect Passive
He hasn't been brutally assaulted by the bully.
Past Perfect Passive
The window had not been completely broken on Thursday.

 

[ambitious-girl]

Thanks Lynxear for your detailed explanation and your good examples too. However, I know how we should make a sentence negative, but because we can make an infinitive negative, I had doubt about which one could be correct. It made me confused.

Homeschooling is believed not to be a novel idea. or Homeschooling is not believed to be a novel idea.

I hope not to make a mistake.
I asked you not to tell him.
He taught me not to be scared.
It is important not to move.

 

[Lynxear]

Thanks Lynxear for your detailed explanation and your good examples too. However, I know how we should make a sentence negative, but because we can make an infinitive negative, I had doubt about which one could be correct. It made me confused.

Homeschooling is believed not to be a novel idea. or Homeschooling is not believed to be a novel idea.

I hope not to make a mistake.
I asked you not to tell him.
He taught me not to be scared.
It is important not to move.

I thought you were discussing passive personal and imperfect tenses in the negative. Now you are moving to a different topic.

I hope not to make a mistake.
I hope to not make a mistake.

I asked you not to tell him.
I asked you to not tell him

He taught me not to be scared.
He taught me to not be scared.

It is important not to move.
It is important to not move.

The way you have written is correct and grammatical in the conventional way. The alternative way that I wrote it has "split" the infinitive. This use to be a carnal sin but in the last few years split infinitives are not viewed as sinful. Having said that, if I were giving answers on a test, I would never use a split infinitive. I wouldn't do this, as by NOT splitting the infinitive you will be correct in everyone's eyes.

Homeschooling is believed not to be a novel idea. or Homeschooling is not believed to be a novel idea.

This is NOT an issue of where to place the "not" with respect to the infinitive "to be". This is a passive sentence. "Homeschooling is not believed to be a novel idea." is the proper answer.