It is said / She is said (Strona bierna cz. 5) | ROCK YOUR ENGLISH #121

Summary

In this video, the presenter dives deep into the English passive voice, exploring its nuances and practical applications. Using clear examples, they explain how sentences like 'People say that...' can be transformed into passive structures, highlighting both straightforward and more complex forms. The video also covers expressing past actions, handling collective subjects, and maintaining verb forms correctly. With a mix of humor, relatable examples, and detailed step-by-step explanations, the tutorial helps learners understand not just the mechanics but also the subtleties of passive constructions, making it suitable for advanced learners preparing for exams or language certificates.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video explains how to use the passive voice in English, including some less common constructions.
• 😀 Passive voice can be formed starting with 'It is said that...' to convey general statements like 'People say that she is a thief.'
• 😀 Another passive construction starts with 'There is said...' followed by the base form of the verb, which is less directly translatable to Polish.
• 😀 The speaker demonstrates converting sentences with collective subjects like 'everyone thinks' into passive voice.
• 😀 When using passive forms for actions in the past, auxiliary verbs like 'has/have been' plus the past participle are required.
• 😀 The base form of the verb is crucial in some passive constructions, even when expressing past actions.
• 😀 Passive voice can handle statements about uncertainty, past actions, and general beliefs without specifying the original subject.
• 😀 The video stresses the importance of understanding when to use different passive structures depending on the subject and tense.
• 😀 Examples like 'John likes disco polo' are used to illustrate both current and past tense passive transformations.
• 😀 The speaker encourages viewers to practice forming these passive structures and engage in exercises shared on social media platforms.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on explaining the passive voice in English, including how to construct it in different ways and how to express past and present actions using this structure.

What is the first example used to explain the passive voice?

The first example is 'People say that she is a thief,' which is then transformed into passive constructions such as 'It is said that she is a thief' or 'She is said to be a thief.'

Why does the instructor suggest using 'It is said that...' in English?

Using 'It is said that...' mirrors the Polish construction 'mówi się, że...', making it easier for Polish learners to understand and use the passive voice correctly.

What is the second method of forming the passive voice in English according to the video?

The second method involves starting with the person being talked about, using a form like 'She is said to be a thief,' which requires the infinitive form of the main verb.

How does the video explain handling past tense in passive constructions?

To express the past, the video explains using 'been' along with the past participle of the verb, as in 'She is said to have been a thief,' allowing the speaker to convey past actions in passive voice.

What advice does the video give about the verb form when using the passive voice?

The video emphasizes that after certain structures like 'is said' or 'is believed,' the main verb must be in its base form or past participle, depending on whether the action is present or past.

Can any subject be used in these passive constructions?

Yes, the subject can be general, like 'people' or 'everybody,' or specific, such as a named person, as long as the verb can be appropriately transformed into the passive voice.

Why does the instructor say the passive voice is more flexible in English than in Polish?

English allows constructions that are difficult to translate directly into Polish, particularly when expressing past actions with phrases like 'is said to have been...' which provide precise temporal and grammatical meaning.

What are some examples given for applying passive voice to general beliefs or thoughts?

Examples include 'Everybody thinks John likes disco polo' transformed into 'It is thought that John likes disco polo' or 'John is thought to like disco polo,' showing how collective opinions can be expressed in passive form.

Does the video provide exercises for viewers to practice passive constructions?

Yes, the video encourages viewers to try translating sentences into passive voice starting with either 'It is said that...' or the person being talked about and invites them to share answers in the comments or on social media for discussion.