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personal passive

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aysaa

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2011
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Student or Learner
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Turkish
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Turkey
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Turkey
Hi,

1-It was expected that she would win the race.

1a) She was expected to win the race.
1b) She was expected to have won the race.

2-It was reported that he was staying in the city.

2a) He was reported to be staying in the city.
2b) He was reported to have been staying in the city.

I have some problem about 'personal passive in past', and I would like to ask whether the alternative sentences are OK or not. In my opinion, sentences '1b and 2b' are OK, but I am not sure. Can you please help?

Thanks.
 

5jj

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Oct 14, 2010
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English Teacher
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British English
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Czech Republic
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Czech Republic
I don't know what you mean by 'personal passive.
1-It was expected that she would win the race.

1a) She was expected to win the race.
1b) She was expected to have won the race.
#1a is fine. I cannot think of a context in which #1b would work
2-It was reported that he was staying in the city.

2a) He was reported to be staying in the city.
2b) He was reported to have been staying in the city.
This one is difficult. If the original words were "He is staying in the city", then #2 and #2a are possible. If the original words were "He was staying in the city", then #2 is just about possible, though unlikely, #2a is not possible, and #2b is possible.
 
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