How do we make passive sentences in Portuguese? Os jogos olímpicos são disputados a cada 4 anos. Mais um carro foi incendiado no Rio. O novo ar condicionado será instalado nas férias
How do we make passive sentences in Portuguese? Os jogos olímpicos são disputados a cada 4 anos. Mais um carro foi incendiado no Rio. O novo ar condicionado será instalado nas férias
How do we make passive sentences in Portuguese? ser + verbo principal (particípio)
How do we make passive sentences in English? to be + main verb (past participle)
Students’ own examples
How do we make passive sentences in English? Present simple: My car is serviced twice a year. Present continuous: My car is being serviced now. Past simple: My car was serviced last month. Past continuous: My car was being serviced when I went to the garage. Present perfect: My car has already been serviced. Past perfect: My car had been serviced by 2 o’clock. Future simple: My car will be serviced tomorrow. Future perfect: My car will have been serviced by Monday. Modals: My car must be serviced before the trip.
two-object verbs I gave Ann a book for her birthday.
two-object verbs I gave Ann a book for her birthday. A book was given to Ann for her birthday (by me). Ann was given a book for her birthday (by me).
two-object verbs ask pay sell offer tell buy bring send lend promise write give
two-object verbs I lent Paul some money. Some money was lent to Paul (by me). Paul was lent some money (by me).
two-object verbs She asked me a favour. A favour was asked of me (by her). I was asked a favour (by her).
two-object verbs Laura will send me postcards from Hungary. Postcards will be sent to me from Hungary (by Laura). I will be sent postcards from Hungary (by Laura).
When to use passive sentences? When we do not know who the agent is. When it is irrelevant to mention who the agent is. When this agent is obvious. In other words, when the execution of the action is the important information.
Passive: have something done I had my hair cut. ≠ I cut my hair.
Passive: have something done I had the house cleaned. ≠ I cleaned the house.
Passive: have something done I had the car repaired. ≠ I repaired the car.
Passive: it is said that... People say [that Alexandre likes heavy metal]. It is said [that Alexandre likes heavy metal].
Passive: it is supposed that... People suppose [that Rio is a very dangerous place]. It is supposed [that Rio is a very dangerous place].
Passive: it is known that... People know [that Romário is lazy]. It is known [that Romário is lazy].
Passive: it is expected that... People expect [that all the students pass this course]. It is expected [that all the students pass this course].
General structure People say [that Alexandre likes heavy metal]. expect* believe think know suppose consider understand
General structure It is said [that Alexandre likes heavy metal]. expected* believed thought known supposed considered understood
Passive: he is said to...
Passive: he is known to...
General structure He is said to like heavy metal. expected believed thought known supposed considered understood
People say [that Alexandre likes heavy metal]. It is said [that Alexandre likes heavy metal]. Alexandre is said to like heavy metal.
People suppose [that Rio is a very dangerous place]. It is supposed [that Rio is a very dangerous place]. Rio is supposed to be a very dangerous place.
People know [that Romário is lazy]. It is known [that Romário is lazy]. Romário is known to be lazy.
People expect [that all the students pass this course]. It is expected [that all the students pass this course]. All the students are expected to pass this course.
People know [that Collor was a corrupt president]. It is known [that Collor was a corrupt president]. Collor is known to have been a corrupt president.
People consider [that Marilyn was a gorgeous woman]. It is considered [that Marilyn was a gorgeous woman]. Marilyn is considered to have been a gorgeous woman.