Personal and impersonal passive constructions are advanced English grammar tools used to report opinions, rumors, or general beliefs without naming a specific source. These forms are common in formal writing, news reports, and academic texts. 1. Understanding the Two Structures
These constructions usually follow reporting verbs such as say, think, believe, know, report, expect, consider, and understand.
Impersonal Passive: Uses a "dummy" subject (it) to refer to a whole situation or general thought. Structure: It + passive verb + (that) clause. Example: "It is believed that he is innocent".
Personal Passive: Focuses on the person or thing that is the subject of the belief. Structure: Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive. Example: "He is believed to be innocent". 2. Formulating Tenses in Personal Passive
The form of the infinitive in a personal passive sentence depends on the time relationship between the reporting verb and the action in the that-clause. Personal and Impersonal Passive | explanation and exercises
Mastering the Personal and Impersonal Passive (also known as "Reported Passive") is a common hurdle for advanced English learners. These structures allow you to report what "people say" or "it is believed" without naming a specific person, which is essential for academic and formal writing. 1. Understanding the Two Structures
When reporting general beliefs or opinions using verbs like say, believe, think, report, know, or expect, you can choose between two passive forms:
Impersonal Passive (The "It" Structure): This uses the dummy subject "It." Example: It is said that the CEO will resign. Structure: It + Passive Reporting Verb + that-clause.
Personal Passive (The Subject-Focused Structure): This makes the subject of the reported clause the subject of the new sentence. Example: The CEO is said to resign.
Structure: Subject + Passive Reporting Verb + to-infinitive. 2. Quick Practice Exercise
Try transforming these active sentences into both impersonal and personal passive forms: Active: People believe that he owns a lot of land. Impersonal: It is believed that he owns a lot of land. Personal: He is believed to own a lot of land.
Active: Journalists report that the fire started by accident.
Impersonal: It was reported that the fire started by accident.
Personal: The fire was reported to have started by accident. 3. Recommended PDF Exercise Resources
If you are looking for downloadable practice sheets, the following sites offer comprehensive worksheets and tables:
Scribd Collection: A wide variety of Personal and Impersonal Passive Exercises including keyword transformation tables and answer keys.
Academic English UK: Provides an Impersonal Passive Blog/PDF that focuses on nominalisation and formal reporting.
KSM Classes: Offers a direct PDF link with 14 practice sentences for transformation.
EnglishGrammar.org: Features a Challenging Impersonal Passive Exercise that is useful for C1-level students.
Impersonal and Personal Passive Exercises | PDF | Verb - Scribd personal impersonal passive exercises 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
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)
The Mysterious Case of the Missing PDF
It was a typical Monday morning at the office when Emma, a diligent employee, stumbled upon a peculiar problem. She had been tasked with completing a series of grammar exercises to improve her language skills, specifically focusing on personal, impersonal, and passive voice constructions. The exercises were provided in a PDF format, which she had downloaded from the company's online learning platform.
As she sat at her desk, sipping her coffee and opening her laptop, Emma realized that the PDF file was nowhere to be found. She had saved it to her desktop the previous day, but now it had vanished into thin air. She searched her computer, checked her downloads folder, and even looked in the recycle bin, but there was no sign of the file.
Panicked, Emma tried to access the online learning platform again, but it seemed that the PDF had been removed or was no longer available. Her deadline to complete the exercises was looming, and she needed the file urgently. She decided to reach out to her colleagues and superiors, hoping someone might have a copy of the PDF or know how to retrieve it.
The response she got was surprisingly passive. Her colleagues seemed uninterested in helping her, and her superiors were too busy to respond. It was as if the entire office had become impersonal, with no one taking responsibility for the missing file.
Determined to solve the mystery, Emma took matters into her own hands. She began to investigate, scouring the company's digital archives and searching for any clues that might lead her to the PDF. Along the way, she encountered a series of cryptic messages and ambiguous instructions, which only added to her frustration.
As she delved deeper into the mystery, Emma realized that the disappearance of the PDF was not just a simple technical glitch. It seemed to be a symptom of a larger problem, one that involved the company's approach to communication and employee support. The more she learned, the more she became convinced that the issue was not just personal, but also reflective of a broader, impersonal culture.
With her detective skills sharpened, Emma eventually tracked down the PDF to a hidden folder on the company's server. It turned out that the file had been intentionally removed by a colleague, who had been tasked with updating the learning materials. The colleague had been too busy to update the platform properly, and the PDF had slipped through the cracks.
With the PDF safely back on her computer, Emma completed the exercises and submitted them on time. As she reflected on her experience, she realized that the mystery of the missing PDF had taught her a valuable lesson about perseverance, initiative, and the importance of clear communication in the workplace. Answers:
From then on, Emma approached her tasks with a more proactive and problem-solving mindset, using her skills to overcome obstacles and improve the work environment. And as for the PDF, it became a symbol of her determination and resourcefulness, a reminder that even the most impersonal challenges can be overcome with a personal touch.
Exercises:
Answers:
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?
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!
The Personal and Impersonal Passive (also known as passive reporting structures) are essential tools for academic writing and formal journalism. They allow writers to report rumors, beliefs, and opinions without attributing them to a specific person. Key Differences and Structures Mastering Personal and Impersonal Passive: A Complete Guide
The Impersonal Passive focuses on the action or thought itself, using a "dummy" subject. In contrast, the Personal Passive shifts the focus to the person or thing being talked about. Type Impersonal It is said that he is a genius. Personal He is said to be a genius. How to Transform Sentences
To convert an active sentence like "People believe she is rich" into these forms:
Impersonal Passive: Start with "It", use the passive form of the reporting verb, and keep the original "that" clause: It is believed that she is rich.
Personal Passive: Take the subject of the second clause ("she"), use the passive reporting verb, and change the second verb to a "to-infinitive": She is believed to be rich. Common Reporting Verbs These structures typically use verbs like:
Say, Think, Believe, Know, Report, Expect, Allege, Claim, Understand, Consider. Practice Exercises
You can download comprehensive worksheets and guides from these sources:
Impersonal Passive PDF (ksmclasses): Features clear transformation examples like "They say she works hard" → "She is said to work hard."
Passive Voice PDF Worksheets (english-grammar.at): A library of downloadable PDFs covering all passive levels from elementary to advanced.
Advanced Passive Review (British Council): In-depth explanations of "It is estimated that..." and other complex structures.
Comprehensive Passive Table (Aprendeinglesenleganes): Offers a detailed table and "Key Word Transformation" exercises for FCE/CAE levels. Quick Transformation Challenge: Active: They expect that the economy will grow next year.
Impersonal: It is expected that the economy will grow next year. Personal: The economy is expected to grow next year. impersonal-passive-2.pdf
Passive reporting structures—often called personal and impersonal passives—are formal ways to express opinions, beliefs, or rumors using reporting verbs like say, believe, think, report, know, claim, and expect. 1. The Two Structures
When you have an active sentence like "People say that he is rich," you can rewrite it in two passive ways: Structure Type Impersonal It + passive verb + that + clause It is said that he is rich. Personal Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive He is said to be rich. 2. Choosing the Right Infinitive (Personal Passive)
The infinitive used in the personal passive depends on the tense of the original second verb: Simple Present/Future: Use to + base verb. They expect him to win. →right arrow He is expected to win. Present Continuous: Use to be + -ing. People think he is waiting. →right arrow He is thought to be waiting. Past/Present Perfect: Use to have + past participle. They say she played well. →right arrow She is said to have played well. impersonal-passive-2.pdf
1–10: Convert active to passive
11–15: Convert passive to active
11. The letter was sent by him.
12. The rules are being changed.
13. The cake had been eaten before noon.
14. The song is sung by children every year.
15. The project will be completed next month.
16–20: Identify sentence type (personal / impersonal / passive)
16. It snows heavily in winter.
17. There were many applicants for the job.
18. The window was broken last night.
19. Someone called while you were out.
20. People say that practice makes perfect.
21–25: Fill blanks (passive)
21. The movie ______ (direct) by Spielberg.
22. The letters ______ (send) yesterday.
23. New policies ______ (implement) next month.
24. This book ______ (translate) into Spanish.
25. The results ______ (announce) tomorrow.
26–30: Rewrite impersonal/personal
26. Rewrite as impersonal: “Researchers discovered a cure.”
27. Rewrite as personal: “It is said that the city is beautiful.”
28. Make passive: “They deliver the mail every morning.”
29. Make active: “There is a solution to the problem.”
30. Change to passive and omit the agent: “People speak French in many countries.”
Simply Google: “personal impersonal passive exercises pdf” – many university and ESL websites offer free downloads.
If you’d like, I can also generate a full LaTeX or Markdown document that you can compile or copy-paste into a word processor to create your own PDF. Just let me know!