GIÁO TRÌNH NGỮ PHÁP cơ bản (dùng cho hệ đại học ngôn ngữ anh)

TRƢỜNG ĐẠI HỌC QUẢNG BÌNH
KHOA NGOẠI NGỮ

GIÁO TRÌNH
(Lƣu hành nội bộ)
NGỮ PHÁP CƠ BẢN
(Dành cho sinh viên Đại học Ngôn ngữ Anh)

Tác giả: Nguyễn Thị Hồng Thắm

Năm 2014

1


MỤC LỤC
UNIT 1 SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT .................................................. 4
UNIT 2 VERB PATTERNS ................................................................................. 10
UNIT 3 PASSIVE VOICE .................................................................................... 18
UNIT 4 REPORTED SPEECH............................................................................ 27
UNIT 5 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES ............................................................. 35
UNIT 6 COMPARISION...................................................................................... 43
UNIT 7 RELATIVE CLAUSE ............................................................................. 51
UNIT 8 PREPOSITIONS AND ARTICLES ...................................................... 59

2


LỜI NÓI ĐẦU
Ngữ pháp cơ bản là giáo trình được biên soạn theo khung chương trình giáo
dục đại học ngành Ngôn ngữ Anh. Giáo trình được biên soạn theo hướng cung

cấp cho sinh viên vốn ngữ pháp cơ bản trong tiếng Anh: sự hòa hợp giữa chủ
ngữ và động từ, các hình thức động từ, câu bị động, câu gián tiếp, câu điều kiện,
câu so sánh, mệnh đề quan hệ, giới từ và mạo từ. Kết thúc học phần, sinh viên
được hệ thống hóa ngữ pháp tiếng Anh cơ bản làm nền tảng để học các học
phần tiếp theo hiệu quả hơn. Qua đó, sinh viên có khả năng vận dụng hệ thống
cấu trúc được giới thiệu để làm các bài tập ngữ pháp với cấp độ khó tăng dần,
tích lũy kiến thức tạo tiền đề cho học phần ngữ pháp nâng cao. Ngoài ra, sinh
viên còn phát triển được kĩ năng nói và viết đoạn văn trong tiếng Anh thông qua
các bài tập vận dụng.

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UNIT 1 SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT
I. Basic rules
1. Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.
E.g. My brother is a nutritionist.
My sisters are mathematicians.
2. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are
connected by and.
E.g. A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
Exceptions:
Breaking and entering is against the law.
The bed and breakfast was charming.
In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound nouns.
II. Special cases
1. The indefinite pronouns anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody are always
singular and, therefore, require singular verbs.


Everyone has done his or her homework.



Somebody has left her purse.

Some indefinite pronouns — such as all, some — are singular or plural depending on
what they're referring to. (Is the thing referred to countable or not?) Be careful
choosing a verb to accompany such pronouns.


Some of the beads are missing.



Some of the water is gone.

On the other hand, there is one indefinite pronoun, none, that can be either singular or
plural; it often doesn't matter whether you use a singular or a plural verb — unless
something else in the sentence determines its number. (Writers generally think
of none as meaning not any and will choose a plural verb, as in "None of the engines
are working," but when something else makes us regard none as meaning not one, we
want a singular verb, as in "None of the food is fresh.")


None of you claims responsibility for this incident?



None of you claim responsibility for this incident?



None of the students have done their homework. (In this last example, the
word their precludes the use of the singular verb.

2. Some indefinite pronouns are particularly troublesome Everyone and everybody
(listed above, also) certainly feel like more than one person and, therefore, students
are sometimes tempted to use a plural verb with them. They are always singular,
though. Each is often followed by a prepositional phrase ending in a plural word
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(Each of the cars), thus confusing the verb choice. Each, too, is always singular and
requires a singular verb.
Everyone has finished his or her homework.
You would always say, "Everybody is here." This means that the word is singular and
nothing will change that.
Each of the students is responsible for doing his or her work in the library.
Don't let the word "students" confuse you; the subject is each and each is always
singular — Each is responsible.
3. Phrases such as together with, as well as, and along with are not the same as and.
The phrase introduced by as well as or along with will modify the earlier word
(mayor in this case), but it does not compound the subjects (as the word and would
do).


The mayor as well as his brothers is going to prison.



The mayor and his brothers are going to jail.

4. The pronouns neither and either are singular and require singular verbs even though
they seem to be referring, in a sense, to two things.


Neither of the two traffic lights is working.



Which shirt do you want for Christmas? Either is fine with me.

In informal writing, neither and either sometimes take a plural verb when these
pronouns are followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with of. This is particularly
true of interrogative constructions: "Have either of you two clowns read the
assignment?" "Are either of you taking this seriously?" Burchfield calls this "a clash
between notional and actual agreement."*
5. The conjunction or does not conjoin (as and does): when nor or or is used the
subject closer to the verb determines the number of the verb. Whether the subject
comes before or after the verb doesn't matter; the proximity determines the number.


Either my father or my brothers are going to sell the house.



Neither my brothers nor my father is going to sell the house.



Are either my brothers or my father responsible?



Is either my father or my brothers responsible?

Because a sentence like "Neither my brothers nor my father is going to sell the house"
sounds peculiar, it is probably a good idea to put the plural subject closer to the verb
whenever that is possible.
6. The words there and here are never subjects.


There are two reasons [plural subject] for this.



There is no reason for this.



Here are two apples.
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With these constructions (called expletive constructions), the subject follows the verb
but still determines the number of the verb.
7. Sometimes modifiers will get betwen a subject and its verb, but these modifiers
must not confuse the agreement between the subject and its verb.
The mayor, who has been convicted along with his four brothers on four counts of

various crimes but who also seems, like a cat, to have several political lives, is finally
going to jail.
8. Sometimes nouns take weird forms and can fool us into thinking they're plural when
they're really singular and vice-versa. Words such as glasses, pants, pliers, and scissors
are regarded as plural (and require plural verbs) unless they're preceded the phrase pair
of (in which case the word pair becomes the subject).


My glasses were on the bed.



My pants were torn.

9. Some collective nouns, such as family, couple, staff, audience, etc., may take either
a singular or a plural verb, depending on their use in the sentence.
Examples:
The staff is in a meeting.
Staff is acting as a unit.
The couple disagree about disciplining their child.
The couple refers to two people who are acting as individuals.
NOTE
Anyone who uses a plural verb with a collective noun must take care to be accurate—
and also consistent. It must not be done carelessly. The following is the sort of flawed
sentence one sees and hears a lot these days:
The staff is deciding how they want to vote.
Careful speakers and writers would avoid assigning the singular is and the
plural they to staff in the same sentence.
Consistent: The staff are deciding how they want to vote.
Rewriting such sentences is recommended whenever possible. The preceding sentence

would read even better as:
The staff members are deciding how they want to vote.
10. Some words end in -s and appear to be plural but are really singular and require
singular verbs.


The news from the front is bad.



Measles is a dangerous disease for pregnant women.

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On the other hand, some words ending in -s refer to a single thing but are nonetheless
plural and require a plural verb.


My assets were wiped out in the depression.



The average worker's earnings have gone up dramatically.



Our thanks go to the workers who supported the union.

The names of sports teams that do not end in "s" will take a plural verb: the Miami

Heat have been looking … , The Connecticut Sun are hoping that new talent … .
11. Fractional expressions such as half of, a part of, a percentage of, a majority of are
sometimes singular and sometimes plural, depending on the meaning. (The same is
true, of course, when all, any, more, most and some act as subjects.) Sums and
products of mathematical processes are expressed as singular and require singular
verbs. The expression "more than one" (oddly enough) takes a singular verb: "More
than one student has tried this."


Some of the voters are still angry.



A large percentage of the older population is voting against her.



Two-fifths of the troops were lost in the battle.



Two-fifths of the vineyard was destroyed by fire.



Forty percent of the students are in favor of changing the policy.



Forty percent of the student body is in favor of changing the policy.



Two and two is four.



Four times four divided by two is eight.

12. If your sentence compounds a positive and a negative subject and one is plural, the
other singular, the verb should agree with the positive subject.


The department members but not the chair have decided not to teach on
Valentine's Day.



It is not the faculty members but the president who decides this issue.



It was the speaker, not his ideas, that has provoked the students to riot.

13. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is a key rule for
understanding subjects. The word of is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subject-verb
mistakes.
Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to the room.
Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses lends . . . (bouquet lends, not roses lend)
14. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when

considered as a unit.
Three miles is too far to walk.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
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BUT
Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.
III. Exercises
Exercise1: Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.
1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.
2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.
4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.
5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.
6. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer.
7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.
8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.
10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.
11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.
12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.
13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.
14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?
15. Mathematics (is, are) John's favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's
favorite subject.
16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.
17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?
18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.

19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!
20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.
Exercise 2: Supply the correct form of verbs in brackets
1. The use of vitamin supplements and herbs (be) ___ becoming increasingly popular
among Americans.
2. While many studies claim that vitamins and herbs can improve health, there (be)
___ a lot of controversy about their safety.
3. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (do) ___ not regulate vitamins and herbs.
4. Most experts (believe) ___ that herbal supplements are mild and somewhat
harmless.
5. Still, anyone who (take) ___ too much of a vitamin or herb could suffer negative
side effects.
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6. For example, some medical problems (have) ___ been linked to overuse of ephedra,
an herb taken by people to lose weight.
7. Some research (suggest) ___ that Vitamin C may help prevent cancer.
8. People who (take) ___ more than 1,000 miligrams of vitamin C daily may
experience diarrhea or kidney stones.
9. Advertisers say that the herb "kava kava" (reduce) ___ anxiety and insomnia.
10. Using large amounts of kava kava (be) ___ not wise as muscle, eye or skin
problems could result.
11. The danger of long-term use of vitamins and herbs (be) ___ still unknown.
12. There (be) ___ a lot of evidence that vitamin-rich foods are beneficial.
13. However, whether the use of supplements (be) ___ helpful or not is still being
debated.
14. Most people (be) ___ able to get all the vitamins they need in the foods they eat.
15. A daily diet that (contain) ___ foods from the 4 groups should supply all the
nutrients a person needs.

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UNIT 2 VERB PATTERNS
I. The infinitive
What is the infinitive?
The infinitive of a verb is its basic form with or without the particle to:
Examples:


'do' or 'to do'



'be' or 'to be'

The infinitive without to is called bare infinitive ('do', 'be')
The infinitive with to is called full infinitive ('to do', 'to be')
The bare infinitive
1. The bare infinitive is used as the main verb after the dummy auxiliary verb do, or
most modal auxiliary verbs (such as will, can, orshould..)
Examples:
I do know him
I do like you.
I can do it .
2. Several common verbs of perception, including see, watch, hear, feel,
and sense take a direct object and a bare infinitive.
Examples:
I saw it happen

I watched it happen
3. The bare infinitive is also used with several common verbs of permission or
causation, including make, bid, let, and have.
Example:
I made/bade/let/had him do it.
(However, make takes a to-infinitive in the passive voice.
I was made to do it.
4. The bare infinitive is also used after the following expressions
had better

You had better clean up your room.

would rather

Susan would rather study for her exam tomorrow.

would sooner

I would sooner read a book than watch this film.

why not
why should we

Why not ask your neighbour for help?
Why should we go by car?

why should we not Why should we not go by car?
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5. The verb help is followed by the bare infinitive.
Example:
He helped them do it. ("He helped them to do" it is also possible)
6. With the word why.
Example:
Why say it?
The full infinitive
The full infinitive is used as follows:
1. The full infinitive can function as a noun phrase. In this case it is used as follows.
o

as a subject.
Examples:
To err is human, to forgive is divine.

o

as an object.
Examples:
I intended to marry her.
He wanted to know the whole truth.

2. It can also be used like an adjective or adverb.
Examples:
This is the game to watch. (to watch functions as an adjective, modifying
the noun game)
This is the problem to think about. (to think about functions as an adjective
modifying the noun 'the problem')
He went to his friend's house to study. (to study functions as an adverb answering the
question why he went to his friend's house)

He is ready to go. (to go functions as an adverb, modifying the adjective 'ready'.)
3. It is used to mean "in order to" to express purpose
Examples:
You need to exercise regularly to lose weight. (...in order to lose weight)
He works hard to earn a lot of money. (...in order to earn a lot of money)
4. We use the to-infinitive after a number of common main verbs. These include:
Agree
demand
long
pretend
Aim
fail
love
promise
Arrange
forget
manage
propose
Ask
hate
mean
Refuse
Begin
help
need
remember
Choose
hope
offer
Try

Claim
intend
plan
Want
Continue
learn
prefer
Wish
Decide
like
prepare
We arranged to see the bank manager and applied for a loan.
Mrs Harding asked us to call in on our way home.
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Did you remember to post the letter to your mother?
He just wants everyone to be happy.
Some of these verbs are also often followed by -ing.
5. We can use the to-infinitive in a clause with a verb that has no subject (a non-finite
clause). The to-infinitive focuses on the idea of an action or the results of an action,
rather than the action in itself:
To work in a developing country had always been her ambition.
To get there before lunch, you would have to take the seven o’clock train.
II. The gerund
The gerund looks exactly the same as a present participle, but it is useful to understand
the difference between the two. The gerund always has the same function as a noun
(although it looks like a verb).
1. The gerund as the subject of the sentence


Eating people is wrong.



Hunting tigers is dangerous.



Flying makes me nervous.



Brushing your teeth is important.



Smoking causes lung cancer.

2. The gerund as the complement of the verb "TOBE"


One of his duties is attending meetings.



The hardest thing about learning English is understanding the gerund.



One of life's pleasures is having breakfast in bed.

3. The gerund after prepositions
The gerund must be used when a verb comes after a preposition. This is also true of
certain expressions ending in a preposition, for example the expressions in spite
of & there's no point in.


Can you sneeze without opening your mouth?



She is good at painting.



She avoided him by walking on the opposite side of the road.



We arrived in Madrid after driving all night.



My father decided against postponing his trip to Hungary.



There's no point in waiting.



In spite of missing the train, we arrived on time.

4. The gerund after phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs are composed of a verb + preposition or adverb.


When will you give up smoking?



She always puts off going to the dentist.



He kept on asking for money.
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

Jim ended up buying a new TV after his old one broke.

There are some phrasal verbs that include the word "to" as a preposition for example to
look forward to, to take to, to be accustomed to, to get around to, & to be used to. It is
important to recognise that the word "to" is a preposition in these cases because it must
be followed by a gerund. It is not part of the infinitive form of the verb. You can check
whether "to" is a preposition or part of the infinitive. If you can put the pronoun "it"
after the word "to" and form a meaningful sentence, then the word "to" is a preposition

and must be followed by a gerund.


I look forward to hearing from you soon.



I look forward to it.



I am used to waiting for buses.



I am used to it.



She didn't really take to studying English.



She didn't really take to it.



When will you get around to mowing the grass?



When will you get around to it?

5. The gerund in compound nouns
In compound nouns using the gerund, it is clear that the meaning is that of a noun, not
of a continuous verb. For example, with the word "swimming pool" it is a pool for
swimming in, it is not a pool that is swimming.


I am giving Sally a driving lesson.



They have a swimming pool in their back yard.



I bought some new running shoes.

6. The gerund after some expressions
The gerund is necessary after the expressions can't help, can't stand, to be worth, & it's no
use.


She couldn't help falling in love with him.



I can't stand being stuck in traffic jams.



It's no use trying to escape.



It might be worth phoning the station to check the time of the train.

III. Exercises
Exercise 1: Complete the following sentences with Infinitive without to
1. Peter is very funny. He makes me ………………. (laugh) a lot.
2. Did you see that lovely old car ………………. (go) past a moment ago?
3. Do you think her parents will let her ………………. (go) for a picnic.
4. I heard them ………………. (talk) in the next room.
5. He saw them ………………. (arrive) home late.
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6. They made her ………………. (stay) there for the weekend.
Exercise 2: Complete the following sentences with Gerund
1. We spend most of my time (read) ……….. science book.
2. I didn’t like (work) ………… so I suggested (spend) ………… the day in the
garden.
3. Why do you keep (look) ………… back? Are you afraid of (be) …………
followed?
4. Does your sister mind (cook) ………… everyday?
5. Have you ever considered (go) …………to live in another country?
6. He tried to avoid (answer) ………… my questions.
7. When I’m tired, I enjoy (watch) ………… TV. It’s relaxing.
8. When I was a child, I hated (go) ………… to bed early.

9. He left the hotel without (pay) ………… his bill.
10. Are you looking forward to (see) ………… Ann again?
Exercise 3: Complete the following sentences with Infinitive with to
1. They decide ………………. ( receive) these works.
2. She wants ………………. (drink) coffee.
3. He asks carefully ………………. (repair) this machine.
4. She agrees ………………. (go) picnic with us.
5. John arranged ………………. (help) Sally.
6. She expects………………. (receive) a phone call from her boyfriend.
7. He offers ………………. (stay) at home.
8. Linda refused ………………. (lend) him her money.
9. Jone manages ………………. (get) marriage with his girlfriend.
10. They don’t allow people ………………. (smoke) .
11. He asked me ………………. (operate) this machine.
12. Daisy invites her friends ………………. (come) back her house.
13. She reminded him ………………. (close) the door carefully.
14. My parents permit me ………………. (go) camping with my classmates.
15. My grandmother tells me ………………. (do) good things.
16. I’m pleased ………………. (see) you.
17. They were brave ………………. (tell) him.
18. Be careful ………………. (not wake) the children.
19. I need the money………………. (pay) the phone bill.
20. I’d like something ………………. (stop) my toothache.
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Exercise 4: Choose and underline the correct option in follow sentences
1. Sorry, I can’t go with you. I have a lot of work to do/ do.
2. Elton John is said have/ to have millions of clothes.
3. The shop assistant seems be/ to be very helpful.

4. I had my friend repair/ to repair the bike for me.
5. Our teacher made us work/ to work hard every day.
6. It was great hear/ to hear from Mai and Hanh again.
7. Jim was made do/ to do the assignment again.
8. Paul and Jean said they saw you borrow /to borrow the book yesterday.
9. It’s useful know/ to know a foreign language.
10. We decide learn/ to learn English instead of French.
Exercise 5: Choose the correct word to complete each sentence
1. Are we allowed………………. dictionaries in the exam room?
A. to use
2. The teacher asked Jim
3. We enjoy

B. using

his book to Ann.
A. to give

B. giving

A. to work

B. working

in a team

4. Reading stories in English h e l p s u s

our writing skill.

A. improve
5. I hope

better grades in English next semester.
A. to get

6. Minh considers
7. You should try

B. taking

if you feel stressed at work.
A. to relax

8. I certainly don’t regret

B. relaxing

in our team.
A. to work

B. working

a doctor when I grow up.
A. to be

10. We’ve planned

B. being

a vacation this year.
A. to take

Exercise 6:
brackets.

B. getting

a French course next semester.
A. to take

9. I wish

B. improving

B. taking

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in the

15


1. I didn’t have enough time…………(finish) my homework yesterday.
2. As she drove past his house, she noticed him……….(run) away from home.
3. Did you remember (lock)……the car? – No, I didn’t. I’d better (go)………back and
(do)…….it now.
4. She made her son………(wash) the windows before he could go outside…..…(play)
with his friends.
5. She lets her children…………..(stay) up very late.
6. We had nothing………(do) except look at the cinema posters.

7. We both heard him………(say) that he was leaving.
8. They let us( park)……..motorbike here but they don’t allow us (park)……. cars.
9. If you want the milkman (leave)………..….you milk in the morning, don’t forget
(put)………….a milk bottle outside.
10. It’s important…………….(start) the meeting on time.
11. There are too many people here for me…………..(talk) to all of them.
12. I saw Tom (enter)……..….the office.
13. Nothing will make me (change)………..….my mind.
14. She send me an email (inform)…………. me that the meeting had been canceled.
15. Does she want (become)…………… a singer?
16. It was a thrill……….(see) my brother………..(win) the chess tournament last year.
17. It took ages…………...(download) the picture from Internet.
18. Whenever I have free time, I like ………( watch) the basketball
team……..(practice).
19. I couldn’t understand what the passage said, so I had my friend………(translate) it
for me.
Exercise 7: Write the correct form of a verb from the box in each blank.

help

learn

use

operate

work

take

play

switch off

bring

not cry

1. Do you like……………….in a team.
2. When did you start……………….French?
3. I’ve decided……………….a temporary job at a supermarket.
4. I don’t mind……………….you if you’re tired.
5. Lam enjoys……………….for his school’s soccer team.
6. I could see she was very sad. When talking to me, she tries………………..
7. Why did your uncle stop……………….his business?
8. Don’t forget……………….your dictionary to our English class tomorrow.
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9. Remember……………….the lights before you leave the classroom.
10. Teacher to students: You are not allowed……………….this door.
More exercises: />
17


UNIT 3 PASSIVE VOICE
I. Forms of Passive voice
S

+ [aux] +

Vm(động từ chính)

+

O

S + [aux] + Be + V-ed/3
+
[by + O]
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:
+ the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
+ the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
+ the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is
dropped)
Active
S + V (s, es) + O
S + V(ed) + O
S + am/ is /are/ was/ were + Ving
S + have / has / had + p.p
S + modal verb + V

S+
S+
S+
S+
S+

Passive
am / is/ are

+
p.p
was / were
+
p.p
am/ is / are/ was/ were + being + p.p
have / has / had
modal verb

+ been + p.p
+ be
+ p.p

II. Use of Passive
Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known,
however, who or what is performing the action.
Example: My bike was stolen.
In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know,
however, who did it.
Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following
example shows:
Example: A mistake was made.
In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone
(e.g. You have made a mistake.).
III. Passive Sentences with Two Objects
Rewriting an active sentence with two objects in passive voice means that one of the
two objects becomes the subject, the other one remains an object. Which object to
transform into a subject depends on what you want to put the focus on.
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Subject

Verb

Object 1

Object 2

Active:

Rita

wrote

a letter

to me.

Passive:

A letter

was written

to me

by Rita.

Passive:

I

was written

a letter

by Rita.

.
As you can see in the examples, adding by Rita does not sound very elegant. That’s
why it is usually dropped.
IV. Passive voice with Gerund and Infinitive
* To –inf -> To be V3/ ed
* V-ing

-> Being V3/ ed

Ex : We dislike being cheated
I don’t want to be laughed at.
Personal and Impersonal Passive
Personal Passive simply means that the object of the active sentence becomes the
subject of the passive sentence. So every verb that needs an object (transitive verb)
can form a personal passive.
Example: They build houses. – Houses are built.
Verbs without an object (intransitive verb) normally cannot form a personal passive
sentence (as there is no object that can become the subject of the passive sentence). If
you want to use an intransitive verb in passive voice, you need an impersonal
construction – therefore this passive is called Impersonal Passive.
Example: he says – it is said

Impersonal Passive is not as common in English as in some other languages (e.g.
German, Latin). In English, Impersonal Passive is only possible with verbs of
perception (e. g. say, think, know).
Example: They say that women live longer than men. – It is said that women live
longer than men.
Although Impersonal Passive is possible here, Personal Passive is more common.
Example: They say that women live longer than men. – Women are said to live
longer than men.

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The subject of the subordinate clause (women) goes to the beginning of the sentence;
the verb of perception is put into passive voice. The rest of the sentence is added
using an infinitive construction with 'to' (certain auxiliary verbs and that are dropped).
Sometimes the term Personal Passive is used in English lessons if the indirect object
of an active sentence is to become the subject of the passive sentence.
VI. Causative
Have + sb + Bare
Have + sth + V3/ ed

Ex : We had them paint our house /
We had our house painted

/

=

Get + sb + to-inf
Get + sth + V3/ ed

We got them to paint our house
We got our house painted

VII. Exercises
Exercise 1: Change these sentences into the passive voice.
1. No one has used that door for 20 years.
2. Someone stole my watch this morning.
3. They are searching the truck.
4. My wife will write the report for me.
5. Lan had broken the glass when I came.
Exercise 2: Change these sentences into the active voice.
1. The class is taught by Mr. Brown.
2. The truck was being loaded at 6.00 p.m last Sunday.
3. Will dinner be cooked?
4. The thief has been caught by the police.
5. The book was published in 1997.
Exercise 3. Change into passive voice.
1. They built this school in 1997.
2. The students in my class are going to organize a surprise party tomorrow evening.
3. We will speak English at the conference.
4. They are painting the kitchen now.
5. Shakespeare wrote ―Romeo & Juliet ― in 1605.
6. They have translated Shakespeare’s tragedies into many languages.
7. They have just built a new primary school in my village.
8. They believed that the earth stood still.
9. Jane hasn’t cleaned the floor yet.
10. They should repaint their house soon.
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11. People say that John is the brightest student in class.
12. They reported that the President had suffered a heart attack.
Exercise 4. Choose the best answer.
1. These trees ........................everyday in summer.
A. should be watered

B. should water

C. should be water

D. is watered

2. The floor .............................. by Jane yet.
A. have cleaned

B. have been cleaned

C. has been cleaned

D. has been clean

3. The kitchen ........................now.
A. is painted

B. is being painted

C. are painting

D. are being painted

4. This machine mustn’t .................................... after 5:30 p.m.
A. used

B. be used

C. being used

D. is used

5. Toothpaste ............................. at the drug store.
A. can be bought

B. can bought

C. can be buy

D. can buy

6. We can’t go along here because the road........................
A. is repairing

B. is repaired

C. is being repaired

D. repairs

7. The story I’ve just read...................Agatha Christie
A. was written

B. was written by

C. was written from

D. wrote by

8. I’m going to go out and.................................................
A. have cut my hair

B. have my hair cut

C. cut my hair

D. my hair be cut

9. Something funny ...........................in class yesterday
A. happened

B. was happened

C. happens

D. is happened

10. Many US automobiles........................in Detroit, Michigan
A. manufacture

B. have manufactured

C. are manufactured

D.are manufacturing

11. A lot of pesticide residue can.........................................unwashed produce
A. find

B. found
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C. be finding

D. be found

12. We..................by a loud noise during the night
A. woke up

B. are woken up

C. were woken up

D. were waking up

13. Some film stars...................difficult to work with
A. are said be

B. are said to be

C. say to be

D. said to be

14. Why did Tom keep making jokes about me? – I don’t enjoy........................at
A. be laughed

B. to be laughed

C. laughing

D. being laughed

15. Today, many serious childhood diseases...........................by early immunization
A. are preventing

B. can prevent

C. prevent

D. can be prevented

16. Do you get your heating..........................every year?
A. checking

B. check

C. be checked

D. checked

17. Bicycles.......................in the driveway
A. must not leave

B. must not be leaving

C. must not be left

D. must not have left

18. Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.......................next weekend
A. is going to be performed

B. has been performed

C. will be performing

D. will have perform

19. All bottles......................................before transportation
A. frozen

B. were froze

C. were frozen

D. are froze

20. ...............................................yet?
A. Have the letters been typed

B. Have been the letters typed

C. Have the letters typed

D. Had the letters typed

21. English has become a second language in countries like India, Nigeria or
Singapore where ................. for administration, broadcasting and education
A. is used

B. it is used

C. used

D. being used

22. The telephones..............by Alexander Graham Bell
A. is invented

B. is inventing

C. invented

D. was invented
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23. Lots of houses...................by the earthquake
A. are destroying

B. destroyed

C. were destroyed

D. is destroyed

24. Gold.........................in California in the 19th century
A. was discovered

B. has been discovered

C. was discover

D. they discover

25. The preparation.......................by the time the guest............................
A. had been finished- arrived

B. have finished- arrived

C. had finished-were arriving

D. have been finished- were arrived

Exercise 5. Choose the best answer.
1. They were doing the bedroom on Friday.
A) The bedroom were being done on Friday.
B) The bedroom is done on Friday
C) The bedroom was being done on Friday
D) The bedroom are done on Friday

2. They’re painting the living room now.
A) The living room is painting now.
B) The living room is painted now.
C) The living room is being painting now.
D)The living room is being painted now.
3. Martha was delivering the documents to the department.
A) The document was being delivered to the department by Martha.
B) The document was delivered to the department by Martha.
C) The document was being delivering to the department by Martha.
D) The document is being delivered to the department by Martha.
4. The mayor is going to open a new airport.
A) A new airport is going to opened by the mayor.
B) A new airport is going to open by the mayor
C) A new airport is going to be opened by the mayor
D) A new airport is going to be open by the mayor
5. If you can’t drive, who is going to drive your car?
A) If you can’t drive, who is going to be driven your car?
B) If you can’t drive, by whom is your car going to be driven?
C) If you can’t drive, whom is your car going to be driven?
D) If you can’t drive, who your car is going to drive?
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6. The police are interviewing all the witnesses.
A) All the witnesses are interviewing the police.
B) All the witnesses are being interviewed by the police.
C) All the witnesses is interviewed the police.
D) All the witnesses were being interviewed by the police.
7. We’re going to give David a big surprise.
A) A big surprise is going to give David

B) A big surprise is going to be given to David
C) David is going to give a big surprise
D) David is going to be given to a big surprise
8. They have painted the walls green.
A) The walls has painted green.
B) The green has been painted walls
C) The walls have been painted green
D) The walls have painted to green
9. They will finish the work next week.
A) The work will be finish next week.
B) The work will be finishing next week.
C) The work will finish next week.
D) The work will be finished next week.
10. The delegates had received the information before the recess.
A) The information had received the delegates before the recess.
B) The information had been received before the recess the delegates.
C) The information had been received before the recess by the delegates.
D) The information had received before the recess the delegates.
11. The teacher should buy the supplies for this class.
A) The supplies should buy the teacher for this class
B) The supplies should buy this class for the teacher
C) The supplies should be bought for this class by the teacher
D) The supplies should be bought for the teacher by this class
12. Somebody will call Mr. Watson tonight.
A) Mr. Watson will call somebody tonight.
B) Mr. Watson will be call tonight.
C) Mr. Watson tonight will call somebody.
D) Mr. Watson will be called tonight.
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13. The fire has caused a considerable damage.
A) A considerable damage been has caused the fire.
B) A considerable damage has caused the fire.
C) A considerable damage has been caused by the fire.
D) A considerable damage has caused by the fire.
14. John will have received the papers by tomorrow.
A) The papers will have been received by tomorrow by John.
B) The papers will have received John by tomorrow.
C) The papers will have been received John by tomorrow.
D) The papers will have received tomorrow by John.
15. They haven’t decided anything yet.
A) Nothing has been decided yet.
B) Anything haven’t been decided yet.
C) Nothing has decided yet.
D) Anything have decided yet.
16. Your hair is long. You ought to get it cut.
A) Your long hair needs cutting.
B) You ought to have your long hair cut.
C) Your long hair should be cut.
D) All are correct.
17. The medical profession borrowed the technology from the other fields.
A) The technology borrowed the medical profession from the other fields.
B) The technology was borrowed from the other fields by the medical profession.
C) The technology were borrowed from the other fields the medical profession.
D) The technology from the other fields borrowed by the medical profession.
18. The surgeons arranged for the installation of a TV screen in the operating
theatre.
A) The installation of a TV screen in the operating theatre arranged the surgeons.
B) The installation of a TV screen in the operating theatre arranged by the surgeons.

C) The installation of a TV screen in the operating theatre were arranged by the
surgeons.
D) The installation of a TV screen in the operating theatre was arranged by the
surgeons.
19. They first drew up emergency plans, later abandoned to build new cities.
A) Emergency plans was first drawn up and later abandoned to build new cities.
B) Emergency plans were first drawn up and later abandoned to build new cities.
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