Lesson 8
Теория (Passive Voice (Reporting & Formal Style)
В формальной речи и письме (reports, academic writing, news, reviews):
- 👤 исполнитель неважен / неизвестен
- 🎯 фокус на процессе / результате
- 🧠 стиль более объективный и нейтральный
- 🚫 избегаем «I / we / they»
👉 Поэтому пассив используется системно, а не случайно.
Reporting structures с пассивом
It is said / believed / reported that…
📌 Очень формально, часто в новостях, отчётах, исследованиях
It is believed that the economy will recover.It is reported that several people were injured.
✔ субъект — it
✔ часто в Present Simple Passive
b) Subject + is said / believed / thought + to…
📌 Чуть менее формально, но элегантно
The company is expected to announce major changes.He is believed to have left the country.
⚠️ Важно:
- настоящее → to + infinitive
- прошлое → to have + past participle
c) Reporting verbs (formal)
| Verb | Пример |
| claim | The suspect is claimed to have acted alone. |
| assume | It is assumed that the data is accurate. |
| estimate | The damage is estimated to exceed €1 million. |
| acknowledge | The mistake was acknowledged by the management. |
Passive in formal processes & procedures
📌 Типично для:
- инструкций
- официальных документов
- научных текстов
The form must be completed in full.All data will be analysed before publication.
✔ часто без by-phrase
Passive + modal verbs
| Structure | Use |
| must be done | строгая необходимость |
| should be considered | рекомендация |
| may be affected | возможность |
| cannot be ignored | сильное утверждение |
These factors cannot be ignored.The issue should be addressed immediately.
Passive for distancing & diplomacy
📌 Часто используется, чтобы смягчить критику
❌ You didn’t follow the procedure.
✔ The procedure was not followed.
❌ We made mistakes.
✔ Mistakes were made.
Advanced passive forms
a) Passive + continuous / perfect
The project has been delayed.The system is being upgraded.
b) Passive reporting in the past
It was announced that the event had been cancelled.The results were said to have been manipulated.
c) Passive with prepositional verbs
The issue has been dealt with.He was spoken to about his behaviour.
Comparison: active vs formal passive
| Active | Formal Passive |
| People think… | It is thought that… |
| They say he… | He is said to… |
| We analysed the data | The data was analysed |
| Someone must fix it | It must be fixed |