Advanced Passive Structures

C1 · AdvancedPassive Voice

I was given a book. This needs to be fixed. Passive voice goes beyond the basics.

What you'll learn

  • With verbs that take two objects, English can passivize the indirect object, promoting the person to subject position
  • This is usually more natural than passivizing the direct object and keeping 'to' + person
  • Passive infinitives (needs to be done) and passive gerunds (being told, being interrupted) are common after certain verbs
  • 'Needs to be' + past participle is a common way to describe something that requires action

Beyond the basic passive

Once you're comfortable with the basic passive, English has a few more advanced patterns worth knowing: passivizing the indirect object of a two-object verb, passive infinitives and gerunds, and the very common 'needs to be done' structure.

"I was given a book."
"This needs to be fixed."

Passivizing the indirect object

With verbs that take two objects (give, send, offer, show, tell), English usually promotes the person — the indirect object — to subject position, rather than the thing itself. This sounds more natural than passivizing the direct object and adding 'to' + person.

"I was given a book. (more natural)"
"A book was given to me. (also correct, less common)"

Passive infinitives and gerunds

After certain verbs, English uses a passive infinitive (to be + past participle) or a passive gerund (being + past participle).

"This needs to be fixed."
"He hates being told what to do."

'Needs to be' + past participle

This is a very common everyday structure for saying something requires action, without naming who should do it.

"The plan needs to be reconsidered."
"This report needs to be revised."

Real English

"We were sent an invitation."
"I was offered a great opportunity."
"I don't like being interrupted."
"She was told the news yesterday."

Watch out

✗I was given to a book.
✓I was given a book.

When the person becomes the subject, no 'to' is needed before the direct object.

✗This report needs revised.
✓This report needs to be revised.

'Needs' + past participle alone is missing the passive infinitive structure: needs to be + past participle.

✗I don't like to interrupt. (meant to express dislike of being interrupted)
✓I don't like being interrupted.

To describe something happening TO you, use the passive gerund (being + past participle), not the active infinitive.

Real life — At work

"Did you hear? I was offered the team lead position."

"That's amazing, congratulations! When were you told?"

"This morning. I still need to be officially announced, though."

"Well, you deserve it."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence (passivizing the indirect object).

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence (passive infinitive).

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence (passive gerund).

Exercise 4 · Choose the more natural sentence

Choose the more natural sentence.

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence (passive with two objects).

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 9 · Rewrite passivizing the indirect object

Rewrite passivizing the indirect object: 'They gave her an award.'

Exercise 10 · Rewrite using a passive infinitive

Rewrite using a passive infinitive: 'This document needs someone to sign it.'

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

I was given a book.
This needs to be fixed.
We were sent an invitation.
The plan needs to be reconsidered.

0 / 4 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct sentence.

You learned

  • With two-object verbs, English usually passivizes the indirect object (the person).
  • This is more natural than passivizing the direct object and using 'to' + person.
  • Passive infinitives and gerunds are common after certain verbs.
  • 'Needs to be' + past participle describes something that requires action.

Related grammar lessons

AdvancedPassive Voice

Passive Reporting Structures

Learn two ways to report unattributed claims or beliefs in English — the impersonal 'it is said that' and the more natural personal 'subject is said to.'

Upper IntermediatePassive Voice

Have / Get Something Done

Learn the causative structure — have/get + object + past participle — for talking about services someone else does for you.

Upper IntermediatePassive Voice

Get-Passive

Learn how 'get' + past participle works as an informal alternative to 'be' + past participle, especially for sudden or unexpected events.

IntermediatePassive Voice

Passive Voice by Tense

Learn how the passive voice changes across tenses — the past participle stays fixed, and only the form of 'be' changes.

View all lessons in this category