Personal Impersonal Passive Exercises Pdf [updated] Today

Personal and impersonal passive constructions are advanced English structures used primarily with reporting verbs like say, believe, think, know, report, expect, and consider

. They are common in formal news reporting and academic writing. Learn English Online | British Council Grammar Overview Structure Type Example (from "People say he is rich") Impersonal It is said that he is rich. He is said to be Practice Text: The Legend of the Lost City Read the following text. The sentences in

are written in the active voice. On a separate sheet, rewrite each bolded sentence into both (a) Impersonal Passive (b) Personal Passive

Archaeologists have recently discovered a site that may change history.

(1) Many experts believe that the ruins belong to the lost city of Atlantis. For centuries, explorers have searched the Atlantic Ocean. (2) People say that the city was incredibly wealthy.

Even today, local fishermen tell stories of strange lights beneath the waves. (3) They report that these lights appear every full moon. The discovery has sparked international interest.

(4) Historians expect that the site will provide clues about ancient technology. However, some are skeptical.

(5) Several critics claim that the artifacts were planted by a rival team. Despite this, the project continues.

(6) We know that the lead researcher has spent decades on this search. Answer Key

Personal and Impersonal Passive Exercises | PDF | Verb - Scribd

This guide outlines the rules and structures for Personal and Impersonal Passive

constructions, commonly used in formal writing and reporting. Use this structure to create or practice your own grammar exercises. 1. Identify the Reporting Verbs

These structures are typically used with "verbs of saying and believing" such as:

Say, think, believe, know, expect, report, consider, claim, estimate Learn English Online | British Council 2. Formulate the Impersonal Passive This structure uses the introductory subject and keeps the original clause intact. be (appropriate tense) Past Participle (Reporting Verb) that-clause

It plus be (appropriate tense) plus Past Participle (Reporting Verb) plus that-clause People say that he is a genius. Impersonal Passive: It is said that he is a genius. 3. Formulate the Personal Passive This structure moves the subject of the second clause to the beginning of the sentence and uses an infinitive. be (appropriate tense) Past Participle (Reporting Verb) Infinitive

Subject 2 plus be (appropriate tense) plus Past Participle (Reporting Verb) plus Infinitive They believe she has left the country. Personal Passive: She is believed to have left the country. Choosing the Correct Infinitive

The form of the infinitive depends on the timeframe of the original action: Time of Action Infinitive Form Example (Active to Personal Passive) Present / Future "They say he lives here" right arrow is said to live Past / Completed To have + Past Participle "People think he lied" right arrow is thought to have lied Continuous To be + Verb-ing "They say she is working" right arrow is said to be working 4. Practice Exercises

You can download or view detailed worksheets and tables from platforms like Aprende Ingles en Leganes Exercise A: Rewrite into Impersonal Passive Scientists believe that coffee is healthy. right arrow It is believed that coffee is healthy. Journalists claim the actor has fled. right arrow It is claimed that the actor has fled. Exercise B: Rewrite into Personal Passive People think that honesty is the best policy. right arrow Honesty is thought to be the best policy. Experts report that the fire started in the kitchen. right arrow The fire is reported to have started in the kitchen. Guide Summary

Personal vs. Impersonal Passive Structures | PDF | Verb - Scribd

This feature introduces a comprehensive, downloadable PDF guide for mastering Personal and Impersonal Passive structures—a critical advanced English grammar topic.

📘 Master Passive Structures: Personal & Impersonal Passive PDF Guide personal impersonal passive exercises pdf

Ever wonder how to sound more formal, objective, and authoritative in English? You probably know basic passive voice (e.g., The report was written), but advanced English requires a shift toward impersonal and personal passive structures.

These structures are essential for academic writing, journalism, and business communication, allowing you to report opinions or facts without needing a specific subject. What is Inside the PDF?

This structured 10-page guide provides everything you need to master this topic:

Clear Definitions: Simple explanations of impersonal (It is thought that...) and personal (He is thought to...) passive structures.

Formulaic Breakdown: Clear diagrams showing how to shift from active voice to personal/impersonal passive.

Targeted Exercises: 40+ practice questions covering various tenses. Answer Key: Detailed explanations for every answer. 🔥 Feature Spotlight: Key Concepts Covered 1. The Impersonal Passive (Objective Reporting)

Used to report opinions or beliefs without focusing on who holds them. Active: People say he is rich. Impersonal: It is said that he is rich. 2. The Personal Passive (Direct Focus)

Used to make a specific person or thing the subject, highlighting them while remaining formal. Active: People believe the company is failing. Personal: The company is believed to be failing. 3. Advanced Tense Changes

The PDF tackles tricky transformations, including how to handle past actions within a passive structure: Active: People believe he stole the money. Personal: He is believed to have stolen the money. 📝 Exercise Sample Transform the sentences using the structure provided:

Active: People believe that the suspect has left the country.

Impersonal Passive: It __________ the suspect has left the country. Active: They expect that the new law will pass soon. Personal Passive: The new law __________ soon. (Answers: 1. is believed that, 2. is expected to pass) 🚀 Get the PDF

Download the comprehensive Personal Impersonal Passive Exercises PDF and start mastering advanced English today. Download the PDF Guide Now

g., intermediate vs. advanced), or perhaps focus more on a specific tense like past or future?

If you provide a topic (e.g., journalism, business, academic reports), I can customize the examples in the guide to better suit your needs.

Mastering Personal and Impersonal Passive: A Complete Guide with Exercises

The passive voice is a staple of English grammar, but as you move toward an upper-intermediate (B2) or advanced (C1) level, you’ll encounter its more sophisticated cousins: the Personal and Impersonal Passive.

These structures are essential for formal writing, journalism, and academic reports. They allow you to report information without focusing on a specific person, giving your writing an objective, professional tone.

In this guide, we’ll break down the formulas, show you how to switch between them, and provide personal impersonal passive exercises to help you practice. 1. What is the Impersonal Passive?

The impersonal passive is used to report what "people" in general say, think, or believe. It uses the dummy subject "It." The Formula: It + Passive Verb (is said/is believed) + that + clause. Active: People say that he is a genius. Impersonal Passive: It is said that he is a genius. Common Reporting Verbs:

Say, believe, think, report, know, claim, understand, consider, expect. 2. What is the Personal Passive? Part 5: Common Mistakes to Avoid (Troubleshooting) Before

The personal passive shifts the focus to the subject of the second clause, making the sentence feel more direct while remaining formal. The Formula: Subject + Passive Verb + to-infinitive. Active: People say that he is a genius. Personal Passive: He is said to be a genius. Handling Different Tenses

The "to-infinitive" part changes depending on when the action happened:

Present/Future Reference: Use the Simple Infinitive (to do). It is thought that she lives in London. →right arrow She is thought to live in London. Past Reference: Use the Perfect Infinitive (to have done). It is reported that the thieves escaped. →right arrow The thieves are reported to have escaped.

Continuous Action: Use the Continuous Infinitive (to be doing). It is believed that they are working hard. →right arrow They are believed to be working hard. 3. Transformation Chart Active Voice Impersonal Passive (It...) Personal Passive (Subject...) People believe he is rich. It is believed that he is rich. He is believed to be rich. They expect the price will rise. It is expected that the price will rise. The price is expected to rise. Reporters say the fire started at 3 AM. It is said that the fire started at 3 AM. The fire is said to have started at 3 AM. 4. Personal Impersonal Passive Exercises

Try these practice sentences to test your knowledge. (Scroll down for the answer key). Part A: Rewrite into Impersonal Passive (It...) People think that the company is losing money. Scientists believe that the climate is changing rapidly. They claim that the painting is a forgery. Part B: Rewrite into Personal Passive (Subject...) It is expected that the strike will end tomorrow. It is known that he spent time in prison. It is thought that the hackers are using a proxy server. Part C: Mixed Transformation (Active to Personal) People say that she owns three houses.

Experts believe that the manuscript was written in the 15th century. 5. Answer Key Part A: It is thought that the company is losing money. It is believed that the climate is changing rapidly. It is claimed that the painting is a forgery. Part B: The strike is expected to end tomorrow. He is known to have spent time in prison. The hackers are thought to be using a proxy server. Part C: She is said to own three houses.

The manuscript is believed to have been written in the 15th century. Download the "Personal Impersonal Passive Exercises PDF"

Practicing these structures is the only way to make them feel natural. If you are a teacher looking for classroom materials or a student studying for the Cambridge FCE/CAE or IELTS, you can find comprehensive personal impersonal passive exercises PDFs on educational sites like ISLCollective, EnglishGrammar.at, or Perfect English Grammar.

Pro Tip: When searching for PDFs, look for "Passive Reporting Verbs" or "Causative Passive" worksheets, as these topics are often grouped together in advanced grammar books!

Personal and impersonal passives are advanced structures used to report opinions, rumors, or beliefs without naming a specific source . These are common in journalism and academic writing. aprendeinglesenleganes.com Core Structures Impersonal Passive: Focuses on the reported fact itself using a dummy subject. It + be + past participle + that-clause It is believed that he is rich Personal Passive: Focuses on the person or thing being talked about. Subject + be + past participle + to-infinitive He is believed to be rich aprendeinglesenleganes.com Advanced Tense Variations

The form of the infinitive in a personal passive depends on the relationship between the reporting verb and the action: Active Tense Personal Passive Infinitive Present / Future to + infinitive He is said Continuous to be + -ing He is thought to be lying Past / Present Perfect to have + past participle She is reported to have left Past Continuous to have been + -ing They were reported to have been running Practice Exercises & PDFs

The following resources provide structured practice for these transformations: Advanced Passives Review : A comprehensive guide by the British Council covering both forms and modal passives. Passive Structures & Drills : A detailed lesson and exercise sheet from My English Teacher Academic English Passive Guide

: A focused PDF on impersonal passives and nominalization from Academic English UK Grammar Transformation Table

: A direct download for a transformation table and key word exercises from Aprende Ingles en Leganes aprendeinglesenleganes.com Quick Drill Convert the following sentence into both passive forms: impersonal-passive-2.pdf

This feature explores the mechanics of the Personal and Impersonal Passive, providing a comprehensive overview of how to report general beliefs and opinions without naming a specific source. Understanding the Advanced Passive

In formal English, reporting verbs like believe, say, think, know, report, and claim are often used in passive structures to sound more objective or to distance the speaker from the information. 1. The Impersonal Passive (The "It" Construction)

This structure is used to report a general fact or opinion using a dummy subject "It." Formula: It + Passive Reporting Verb + that + Clause. Example: It is said that coffee is good for your health. 2. The Personal Passive (The "Subject" Construction)

This structure shifts the subject of the reported clause to the beginning of the sentence, making it sound more direct yet still formal. Formula: Subject + Passive Reporting Verb + to-infinitive. Example: Coffee is said to be good for your health. Grammar Exercises

Practice converting these active sentences into both impersonal and personal passive forms. Active Sentence Impersonal Passive (It...) Personal Passive (Subject...) People believe he is hiding. It is believed that he is hiding. He is believed to be hiding. They say she won the lottery. It is said that she won the lottery. She is said to have won the lottery. Experts think the economy is improving. It is thought that the economy is improving. The economy is thought to be improving. People know the thief escaped. It is known that the thief escaped. The thief is known to have escaped. Deep Dive: Infinitive Forms

When using the Personal Passive, the infinitive form changes based on the timing of the action: Present/Future: Use the simple infinitive (to do). He is expected to arrive tomorrow. Continuous: Use the continuous infinitive (to be doing). They are thought to be living in London. Past: Use the perfect infinitive (to have done). She is reported to have resigned last week. Resource Library agent can be included or omitted.

For further practice and downloadable worksheets, you can explore these educational platforms:

British Council LearnEnglish: Detailed review of advanced passive structures.

Aprende Ingles en Leganes: Features one of the best comparison tables for these structures.

Engels Klaslokaal: Offers interactive grammar exercises and PDF-style explanations. Personal and Impersonal Passive (best table ever)

This paper is formatted to be easily convertible into a PDF for distribution or study.

TITLE: Structural Transformation and Stylistic Shifts: A Practical Guide to Personal and Impersonal Passive Constructions

AUTHOR: [Your Name/Institution] DATE: October 2023

Part 5: Common Mistakes to Avoid (Troubleshooting)

Before you download the exercises, check for these three classic errors:

  1. Forgetting the infinitive in personal passive:

    • Incorrect: He is said arrives late.
    • Correct: He is said to arrive late.

  2. Using the wrong tense in the infinitive:

    • Incorrect: She is thought to finish the project yesterday. (Wrong time)
    • Correct: She is thought to have finished the project yesterday.

  3. Adding an unnecessary 'to be' with adjectives:

    • Incorrect: It is believed to be that the door is locked.
    • Correct: It is believed that the door is locked.

1. Summary: Personal vs. Impersonal Passive

| Personal Passive | Impersonal Passive | |----------------------|------------------------| | Focuses on a specific person/thing affected by an action. | Focuses on a general opinion, belief, or reporting verb. | | Form: Subject + be + past participle (+ by agent) | Form: It + be + past participle + that-clause or Subject + be + past participle + to-infinitive | | Example: The cake was eaten by Tom. | Example: It is said that Tom eats cake. / Tom is said to eat cake. |

Common impersonal passive verbs: say, think, believe, know, report, consider, expect, understand, claim

Part B: Transformation (Active to Impersonal Passive)

Instructions: Rewrite the sentences using the Impersonal Passive construction (It + passive verb + that-clause).

  1. People say that the economy is recovering.
    • Answer: It is said that the economy is recovering.
  2. They believe that the treasure is buried on this island.
    • Answer: It is believed that the treasure is buried on this island.
  3. Experts expect that prices will rise next year.
    • Answer: It is expected that prices will rise next year.
  4. Historians think that the settlement dates back to the Iron Age.
    • Answer: It is thought that the settlement dates back to the Iron Age.
  5. Journalists reported that the negotiations failed.
    • Answer: It was reported that the negotiations failed.

Important: Infinitive Tense Agreement

Formula:

Subject (from the that-clause) + passive reporting verb + infinitive (to be / to have been / to do)

Mastering Advanced English Grammar: Personal and Impersonal Passive Exercises (PDF Included)

English grammar is a ladder. You start with the simple present, climb to the past tense, and then tackle the active vs. passive voice. But just when you think you have mastered the standard passive sentence (The ball was thrown by John), the language throws a curveball: the personal and impersonal passive constructions.

These structures are the hallmark of advanced English, commonly found in academic writing, news reports, and formal speeches. If you are preparing for exams like Cambridge First (B2), Advanced (C1), or IELTS, understanding the difference between “He is said to be rich” (personal) and “It is said that he is rich” (impersonal) is non-negotiable.

This article provides a complete breakdown of personal vs. impersonal passive voice, followed by a direct link to download a comprehensive "Personal Impersonal Passive Exercises PDF" to cement your skills.

1. Overview (one-line)

Time differences with infinitives:

| Tense in that-clause | Infinitive form | |----------------------|----------------| | Present simple | to + base verb (to speak) | | Past simple | to have + past participle (to have spoken) | | Present continuous | to be + -ing (to be sleeping) | | Past continuous | to have been + -ing (to have been sleeping) |