The Personal Passive construction

a.  THE IMPERSONAL CONSTRUCTION

e.g.  It is said that Mr. Jackson stole the money.

b.  THE PERSONAL CONSTRUCTION

e.g.  

• Mr. Jackson is said to have stolen the money.

Note and learn these corresponding forms:

• They say that Tom cheats — Tom is said to cheat
• They say that Tom is cheating — Tom is said to be cheating
• They say that Tom cheated— Tom is said to have cheated
• They say that Tom has stolen — Tom is said to have stolen
• They say that Tom has been stealing. — Tom is said to have been stealing
  

  A Cheating Oldie But Goodie

• They say that Tom had stolen — Tom is said to have stolen
• They say that Tom will steal — Tom is said to be going to steal

Exercise.

Re-write these sentences, using the Personal Passive Construction.

1. People think that this dog is dangerous.

___This dog is thought to be dangerous_____________

2. They believe the old lady is insane.

____The old lady is believed to be insane____________

3. Everybody knows that the water in the river is contaminated.

____The water in the river is known to be contaminated ______

4. People believe that Kennedy avoided a third world war.

____Kennedy is believed to have avoided a third world war_____

5. Customers find that the new model is well-designed and economical to run.

_____The new model is found to be well-designed and economical to run____

Exercise.

Re-write using the Personal Passive.

1. Many scientists believe that the universe is expanding.

____The universe is believed to be expanding (by many scientists)_______

2. They say that French wine is the best.

____French wine is said to be the best________

3. Some people consider that the Russians have more dangerous weapons than the Americans.

____The Russians are considered to have more dangerous weapons than the Americans_______

4. Doctors claim that penicillin saved millions of lives in the last war.

____Penicillin is claimed to have saved millions of lives in the last war_______

5. The newspapers say that the price of gold is going up again.

____The price of gold is said be going up again______

Exercise.

Put into the Passive Voice using the Personal Construction.

1. People say that money is not everything.

____Money is said not to be everything_______

2. The police suspect that John Gibbs stole the money.

____John Gibs is suspected to have stolen the money_________

3. They think that Dr. Brown is the best doctor in the town.

_____Dr. Brown is thought to be the best doctor in town_______

4. Everybody knows that smoking causes cancer.

_____Smoking is known to cause cancer___________________

5. The newspapers reported that President Kennedy had been assassinated.

_____President Kennedy is reported to have have been assassinated_____