Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 44 · B2

Passive 3

Verbs with two objects usually start the passive with the person (I was given); being done is the passive of doing; we say I was born; and get done is the everyday passive for things that happen.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 27 minutes

In this lesson

I was offered, we were givenA2 screens of questions
I don't like being ...B2 screens of questions
I was bornC1 screen of questions
get as a passiveD2 screens of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

I was offered, we were given

Some verbs take two objects. My nan gave me this ring: me is one object, this ring is the other.

So there are two possible passives: I was given this ring (by my nan) or This ring was given to me (by my nan).

Other verbs that work this way: ask, offer, pay, show, tell. In the passive we most often begin with the person.

  • I've been offered the job, but I'm not sure I want it. (somebody has offered me the job)
  • You'll be given a week to think it over.
  • I never saw the original contract, but I was shown a copy.
  • Callum's got a cushy number. He's paid a fortune to do next to nothing.

Point A · Exercise 44.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb.

  1. Example

    I tried to get hold of Jake. I rang his office but I was told (tell) that he was on a training course.

    AnswerI tried to get hold of Jake. I rang his office but I was told that he was on a training course.

  2. Brenda retired from the post office last month. She (give) a hamper by her colleagues.

  3. I had no idea there was a fire drill yesterday. I (not / tell) about it.

  4. Holly works incredibly hard. I can't see why she (pay) so badly.

  5. You'll need to use the new till. Have you (show) how it works?

Point A · Exercise 44.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb.

  1. I had a job interview last week. It was tough. I (ask) some very awkward questions.

  2. They told us very little about the new rota. We (not / give) enough information.

  3. I was amazed to get the place on the course. I didn't expect (offer) it.

Point B of 4

I don't like being ...

Passive -ing forms are being done, being seen and so on.

Active: I hate people ordering me about. Passive: I hate being ordered about.

  • I remember being taken to Blackpool illuminations as a child.
  • My dad hates being kept waiting.
  • We sneaked out of the back without being seen.

Point B · Exercise 44.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with being and one of these verbs: bite, give, invite, keep, knock down, stick, treat.

Use these

bitegiveinvitekeepknock downsticktreat

  1. Example

    My dad hates being kept waiting.

    AnswerMy dad hates being kept waiting.

  2. We went to the party without .

  3. I love giving presents, and I'm not bad at them either.

  4. It's a fast road and I hate crossing it. I'm terrified of .

  5. How do you avoid by midges in Scotland?

Point B · Exercise 44.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with being and one of these verbs: bite, give, invite, keep, knock down, stick, treat.

Use these

bitegiveinvitekeepknock downsticktreat

  1. I'm forty-three. I don't like like a teenager.

  2. There's nothing you can do about in a traffic jam.

Point C of 4

I was born

We say I was born, not I am born. For a present, general fact, the present passive is fine.

  • I was born in Sunderland.
  • Which hospital were you born in? (not Which hospital are you born in?)
  • How many babies are born in the UK every day?

Point C · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with the right form of be born.

  1. I in Sunderland in 1998.

  2. Where your parents ?

  3. Hundreds of babies in this hospital every year.

Point D of 4

get as a passive

get can stand in for be in the passive, but only for things that happen, never for states.

get is mostly informal and spoken; be suits every situation.

get also appears in phrases with no real passive meaning: get dressed, get changed, get lost, get married, get divorced.

  • There was a scuffle outside the pub, but nobody got hurt.
  • I don't get invited to many weddings.
  • I'm surprised Tara didn't get offered the job.
  • Mrs Bell is respected by all her pupils. (not gets respected: this is a state, not an event)
  • Very little was known about the man at number nine. (not got known)
  • We got lost on the way to the campsite.

Point D · Exercise 44.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with get or got and one of these verbs: ask, break, hurt, pay, steal, sting, stop, use.

Use these

askbreakhurtpaystealstingstopuse

  1. Example

    There was a scuffle, but nobody got hurt.

    AnswerThere was a scuffle, but nobody got hurt.

  2. Jamal by a wasp while he was eating his sandwich.

  3. The bowling green doesn't very often. Most of the members are over eighty.

  4. I used to have a scooter, but it outside the chippy.

  5. Nell works all hours, but she doesn't much.

Point D · Exercise 44.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with get or got and one of these verbs: ask, break, hurt, pay, steal, sting, stop, use.

Use these

askbreakhurtpaystealstingstopuse

  1. Please wrap these glasses carefully. I don't want anything to .

  2. People are always curious about what I do. I that question a lot.

  3. Last night I by the police on the way home. One of my brake lights wasn't working.

Put it together · Exercise 44.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with one word.

  1. Example

    I've been offered a place at drama school, but I'm not sure I'll accept.

    AnswerI've been offered a place at drama school, but I'm not sure I'll accept.

  2. Example

    I hardly ever get asked out at the weekend.

    AnswerI hardly ever get asked out at the weekend.

  3. Which year you born in?

  4. I haven't been any information yet.

  5. The signposts were confusing, and we got in the forest.

  6. He doesn't like interrupted when he's talking.

Put it together · Exercise 44.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with one word.

  1. How did the greenhouse broken? What happened?

  2. She volunteers at the food bank. She get paid.

  3. I born in a little village on the Welsh border.

  4. It wasn't our decision to move. We asked what we wanted.

Lesson 44 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: it is said that ... he is said to ... he is supposed to ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. I was offered, we were given–Not checkedB. I don't like being ...–Not checkedC. I was born–Not checkedD. get as a passive–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked