English Grammar

Passives: Sentences with infinitive and clause objects

Some sentences have infinitives or clauses as their objects. Passive structures are not normally possible with these sentences.

• He thought that she was the right woman for the job. (BUT NOT That she was the right woman for the job was thought by him.)
• I hoped to meet him. (BUT NOT To meet him was hoped by me.)
• People say that their marriage is in trouble. (BUT NOT That their marriage is in trouble is said by people.)

However, most of these structures can be made passive if it is used as a preparatory subject for the clause.

• It was thought that she was the right woman for the job.
• It is said that their marriage is in trouble.

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