LCE003 Project English

Unit 19 Legendary Britain

TSIM Kam Wan

Part 1 - Grammar - Passive Construction (Page 83)

When/Where/Why/What/How do we use passive voice?

Where do we find the usage of passive voice? – This form is often used in English,

especially in things like newspaper reports.

Why do we use passive voice?We use passive constructions to show: -

• We’re not sure of the truth of the statement.

• We want to distance ourselves from the issue.

Part 1 - Why?Passive Construction

The passive is used when you move the focus of an active sentence from the subject to the object.

Example – Shakespeare wrote Hamlet– Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.

• In the first example I'm more interested in Shakespeare himself

• In the second example I'm concentrating on the play, Hamlet, and not on the person who wrote it.

• Normally, the passive form is often associated with written and/or more formal language.

• Using the active form can make writing appear more vivid and alive, while using the passive can hide identity. (Agent)

Part 1 - Why? The agentThe agent would be the subject of an active sentence . It is introduced using by:

– That film was directed by Hitchcock.– The prisoner was shot by the police trying to

escape.

You don't need to include the agent if you don't know it, if it doesn't matter, or if it's obvious:

– He was arrested yesterday (by the police, obviously).

– The building I live in was built in the 1920s (but I don't know who built it, and it doesn't matter anyway).

– You aren't allowed to smoke in here (by law? by the management?).

Part 1 - What? Passive FormationThe passive is very easy to form:

subject + to be in relevant tense + past participle

Just change the verb to be to whatever tense you need. The past participle never changes.

The work isis beingwaswas beinghas beenhad beenwill bewill have been

done.

There are passive infinitives and gerunds which are also formed with the verb to be:

– The work should be finished by Friday.– No work needs to be done over the weekend.– Being punished for bad behaviour is normal at school.– Potatoes have to be washed before being cooked.

Part 1 - What?Impersonal use of Passive voice

Structures:1. It + passive reporting verb + that + clause2. Subject + passive reporting verb + to infinitive

Example– It is said that twenty people have died in the explosion.– Twenty people are said to have died in the explosion.

– It is believed that the prime minister is on the point of resigning.

– The prime minister is believed to be on the point of resigning.

– It was agreed that the strike would end at midnight.– It has been estimated that 200 new jobs will be created.

Part 1- Task 1 - Verbs List

• Can you think of 10 verbs which we can use with these passive construction in report/news to show your opinion in an objective way?

verb + object + infinitive

verb + infinitive

verb + (that)

verb + gerund

verb + object + preposition + gerund

verb + preposition + gerund

advise encourageinviteremindwarn ExplainThankWarnOfferPromiseSuggestpoint

agreedecideofferpromiserefusethreaten Complainpromise

agreedecidedenyexplaininsistpromiserecommendsuggest ComplainThankWarnOfferPromiseArguePointadmit

denyrecommendsuggest admit

accuseblamecongratulate ThankApologizewarn

apologizeinsist ComplainApologizeargue

Part 1 – Task 1 - Reporting Verbs

Reporting verbs: believe, calculate, claim, consider, discover, estimate, feel, hope, know, prove, report, say, show, think, understand

Part 1 – Task 2 - Reporting Verbs• Check the following reporting verbs

whether it can fit into the sentence structure with that clause or to infinite by writing a sentence for each.

Structures:1. It + passive reporting verb + that + clause2. Subject + passive reporting verb + to

infinitive

• Reporting verbs: believe, calculate, claim, consider, discover, estimate, feel, hope, know, prove, report, say, show, think, understand

Part 1- Task 3 - Passive Voice

Rewrite the following sentences using it and a suitable passive construction. (Page 83)

1. Arthur was born in Tintagel• It is said that Arthur was born in

Tintagel2. Arthur pulled a sword out of a stone and

became king.3. Monks found Arthur and Guinevere’s

remains.4. Arthur was buried at Glastonbury.5. Carmarthen will be destroyed if they cut

down Merlin’s Oak.6. Arthur will return if English is in danger

again.

Part 1- Task 3 - Passive Voice1. Arthur was born in Tintagel

• It is said that Arthur was born in Tintagel2. Arthur pulled a sword out of a stone and became king.

• It is believed that Arthur pulled a sword out of a stone and became king.

3. Monks found Arthur and Guinevere’s remains.• It is reported that Monks found Arthur and

Guinevere’s remains.4. Arthur was buried at Glastonbury.

• It is understood that Arthur was buried at Glastonbury.

5. Carmarthen will be destroyed if they cut down Merlin’s Oak.• It was expected that Carmarthen would be destroyed

if they cut down Merlin’s Oak.6. Arthur will return if English is in danger again.

• It is said that Arthur will return if English is in danger again.

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbs We use past modal verbs to speculate about the past and draw logical conclusions based on known facts.

1. To talk about something which possibly happened or was true in the past. (may have, might have)

2. To talk about something which probably/certainly happened or was true in the past. (must have)

3. To talk about something which probably certainly didn’t happen or was not true in the past. (can’t have)

4. To expresses a feeling of disbelief or impossibility. (couldn’t have)

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbs

We use past modal verbs to speculate about the past and draw logical conclusions based on known facts.

Facts ConclusionsThe Easter Island statues are made of stone.

• The islanders must have had sharp tools.

• The stone must not have been too hard for the tools they had.

The statues are very big.

• The islanders had to have moved them with ropes.

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbsWhen we are less certain, we speculate, or express possibilities with may have, might have, can’t have and could have for past situation.

Facts ConclusionsArchaeologists found pictures of winged creatures.

• Space beings may have visited that culture.

• Local artists might have recorded visits by space beings.

• We can’t have proved their existence without these pictures.

• The pictures could have shown mythological creatures and not visitors from outer space.

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbsUse the modals should have, ought to have, could have and might have to talk about actions that were advisable in the past. When we use these modals, we often communicate a sense of regret or blame.

1. I should’ve applied to college.• (I didn’t apply to college. I’m sorry that I

didn’t do it.)2. I ought to have take the job at the bank.

• (I didn’t take the job. That was a mistake.)3. She could’ve gone to a much better school.

• (She didn’t go to a good school although it was possible for her.)

4. You might’ve let me know sooner.• (You didn’t let me know. That was

impolite.)

A modal verb always has the same form:

There is no past form (-ed), no present participle (-ing) and no 3rd persons singular (-s).

 

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbs

Examples Usage David may invite Jessica to the match.He may have invited Jessica to the party

She might come this evening.Jack might have gone to France.

Use 'might' or 'may' to express an opinion that you think has a good possibility of being true.

They must be in Spain by now.She must have done well on the test.

Use 'must' plus the verb when you are 100% (or almost 100%) sure that something is the case.

Jane could be at work.Peter could have arrived late.

You can't be serious!They can't have worked until late.

Use 'could' to express a possibility which is one of many. This form is not as strong as 'might' or 'may'. It is just one of a number of possibilities.Use 'can't' to express an opinion that you are 100% sure is NOT true.

Modal Verbs of Probability

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbs Task 1 - Page 85 (2)

1. His car is wrecked.• He must have had an accident.

2. She’s crying.3. He looked terrified.4. I’m sure I heard a strange noise

outside.5. She seems tired.6. He’s still laughing about the film last

night.

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbs Task 1- Page 85 (2)

1. His car is wrecked.• He must have had an accident.

2. She’s crying.• She may have heard some bad news.

3. He looked terrified.• He must have seen something

frightening.4. I’m sure I heard a strange noise outside.

• It might have been the wind.5. She seems tired.

• She can’t have slept at all last night.6. He’s still laughing about the film last

night.• He must have enjoyed it.

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbs Task 2 - Matching

Facts Conclusion

1. Macro Polo visited every place he described in his book.

A. He could have learned the subject matter on his own.

2. Bill Gates didn’t have a degree in computer.

B. He must have traveled a lot.

3. Bob Marley’s music CDs were sold millions of copies.

C. They must not have believed his theories.

4. As soon as Albert Einstein published his book, scientist attacked him

D. He must have made a lot of money.

Part 2 - Grammar-Past modal verbs Task 2 - Matching

Facts Conclusion

1. Macro Polo visited every place he described in his book.

B A. He could have learned the subject matter on his own.

2. Bill Gates didn’t have a degree in computer.

A B. He must have traveled a lot.

3. Bob Marley’s music CDs were sold millions of copies.

D C. They must not have believed his theories.

4. As soon as Albert Einstein published his book, scientist attacked him

C D. He must have made a lot of money.

Part 3 – Vocabulary – QuotationFill in the blank with the words of appropriate form on page 84

1. To be a ______ is the exception; to be upright is the rule. Err, falter, sin, but be upright. To commit the least possible sin is the law for man. Sin is a gravitation. (Victor Hugo)

2. Doubting God's existence is okay and perfectly acceptable within ___________ as long as the person doubting remains obedient and committed to the Christian path. (Real Live Preacher)

3. My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which _______ Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes. (Ronald Reagan)

4. Science is facts; just as houses are made of _____, so is science made of facts; but a pile of _______ is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science. (Henri Poincare)

5. You can no more win a war than you can win an _____________. (Jeannette Rankin)

Part 3 – Vocabulary – QuotationFill in the blank with the words of appropriate form on page 84

6. Language exerts hidden power, like a moon on the ________. (Rita Mae Brown)

7. If you have built _____ in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. (Henry David Thoreau)

8. Being in a ship is like being in a jail, with the chance of being __________. (Samuel Johnson)

9. With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a ________ cloud. (Confucius)

10.We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain _________ rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. (US Declaration of Independence)

Part 3 – Vocabulary – QuotationFill in the blank with the words of appropriate form on page 84

1. To be a saint is the exception; to be upright is the rule. Err, falter, sin, but be upright. To commit the least possible sin is the law for man. Sin is a gravitation. (Victor Hugo)

2. Doubting God's existence is okay and perfectly acceptable within Christianity as long as the person doubting remains obedient and committed to the Christian path. (Real Live Preacher)

3. My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes. (Ronald Reagan)

4. Science is facts; just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts; but a pile of stones is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science. (Henri Poincare)

5. You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake. (Jeannette Rankin)

Part 3 – Vocabulary – QuotationFill in the blank with the words of appropriate form on page 84

6. Language exerts hidden power, like a moon on the tides. (Rita Mae Brown)

7. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. (Henry David Thoreau)

8. Being in a ship is like being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned. (Samuel Johnson)

9. With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud. (Confucius)

10.We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. (US Declaration of Independence)