Grammar: The Passive Voice 2, Advanced Forms.

Advanced forms of the passive voice.

There are two common forms that use the passive voice in English. 

Here is an example of each:

He is believed to have stolen the painting.

It is believed that he stole the painting.

Neither of theses forms translate well directly into other languages. In many other languages the impersonal form is used rather than the passive.

Verbs Commonly Used with these Forms:

Here are some examples of verbs which are commonly used with these passive forms:

• Believe
• Expect
• Suppose
• Anticipate
• Think
• Say

Advanced Passive Form A 

Subject + Passive (to be + participle) + Infinitive

He is believed to be in Russia.

In this form we use:

• The subject (He)
• A passive form (Is believed)
• An infinitive (To be in Russia)

If we want to use this form to talk about the past, use the auxiliary verb “to have” (“haber”, not “tener”):

“He is believed to have left the country.”

Advanced Passive Form B

This form is much easier, it simply uses;

It + Passive form (to be + participle) + that + clause

“It is believed that he has left the country.”