Descriptive grammar year 2 Handout 10

(1) Jane was criticized by her mother. [be-passive]

(2) Jane got criticized by her mother. [get-passive]

(3) I heard Jane criticized by her mother. [bare passive]

(4) Mark was called up at the age of 18. (`joined the army')

(5) The Americans elected Reagan President in 1980.

(a) Reagan was elected President in 1980.

(b) *President was elected Reagan in 1980.

(6) They offered Ann a well-paid job.

(a) Ann was offered a well-paid job.

(b) %A well-paid job was offered Ann.

(7) (a) They offered a well-paid job to Ann.

(b) A well-paid job was offered to Ann.

(8) *Ania została zaproponowana pracę.

(9) (a) We cannot account for the recent changes in the weather patterns.

(b) The recent changes in the weather patterns cannot be accounted for.

(10) (a) We have to think of another solution.

(b) Another solution has to be thought of.

(11) (a) No one has ever slept in this bed before.

(b) This bed has never been slept in before.

(c) *This bed has never been slept in before by Mary.

(12) (a) The problem can be gone into very thoroughly.

(b) *The room was gone into at once.

(13) (a) The conclusion was arrived at easily.

(b) *The town was arrived at soon.

(14) An earthquake is not a thing to be looked forward to.

(15) The documents have been made off with a rather specialized sort of burglar.

(16) (a) People took advantage of the new opportunities.

(b) Advantage was taken of the new opportunities.

(c) The new opportunities were taken advantage of.

(17) The talks are reported [to be going smoothly]. [passive]

Cf. People report [the talks to be going smoothly]. [active]

(18) Mary is said to like chocolate.

(19) The minister is rumoured to have resigned. / It is rumoured that the minister resigned.

(20) Jack is reputed to be manic depressive.

(21) (a) The door was bolted and barred.

(b) We found the door to be bolted and barred. [statal interpretation]

(c) The door was being bolted and barred. [actional interpret.]

(22) These four phases may become telescoped in a single, swift coordinated phase of activity.

(23) The jewels were stolen on the stroke of midnight.

(24) The bottles were heated and then sealed.

(25) Your letter has been misdirected to a different department.

(26) London was built by the Celts (and fortified by the Romans).

(27) The Celts built London (and also Canterbury and Winchester).

(28) %Mój portfel został ukradziony. - Ukradli mi portfel.

(29) Tomek wygrał zawody. - Zawody wygrał Tomek.

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