 Newguest wrote: |
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Hi
I'd like to ask you about the passive voice.
1. People believe that the president was very shy as a child. The president is believed to have been very shy as a child. I'M WONDERING WHEN I CAN USE HAD BEEN?
2. People believed that the president was very shy as a child. CAN I WRITE "The president had been believed to be very shy as a child" Can I use "had been" ???
How about this one: People thought he was a good candidate for the position. Can I write: He had been thought to be ........
Thanks
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Hi Newguest,
Your examples were not very good ones in terms of passive voice usage. Learners must realize that not all sentences are passive compatible. Here are a few examples which may help you understand better:
Active Present Perfect voice:
As a result of fuel price increase by the oil refineries in recent months, all airlines have tagged on a 10% fuel surcharge onto the price of each ticket to offset the costs.. Airlines are the subject.
Passive present perfect voice:
As a result of the of fuel price increase by the oil refineries in recent months, a 10% fuel surcharge has been added to each ticket by all airlines to offset the cost. – here the surcharge is the subject.
Past perfect passive:
My car had been serviced by Paul for a few years until he left the repair shop. Now I have to find a new mechanics. – My car is the subject.
Active Past perfect: Paul had been servicing my car for years. Now that he has left the repair shop, I have to find a new mechanic. Paul is the subject.