Exercises C1 : Complex passive forms in English (answers)

These exercises are designed to consolidate your understanding of complex passive constructions covered in the course, including modal passives, perfect passives, and continuous passives. Work through each task carefully to build precision and sophistication in your writing.

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Exercice 1 — Fill in the Gaps: Complex Passive Forms

Complete each sentence by writing the correct complex passive form of the verb in brackets. Write the full sentence in your answer.

1. The new policy ___ (must / implement) before the end of the fiscal year.
2. By the time the auditors arrived, all the documents ___ (already / destroy).
3. The suspects ___ (currently / question) by the investigators at headquarters.
4. The proposal ___ (should / consider) more carefully before any decision is made.

Correction

1. The new policy must be implemented before the end of the fiscal year.
2. By the time the auditors arrived, all the documents had already been destroyed.
3. The suspects are currently being questioned by the investigators at headquarters.
4. The proposal should have been considered more carefully before any decision was made.

Exercice 2 — Active to Complex Passive Transformation

Rewrite each active sentence using the complex passive form indicated in brackets. Write the full transformed sentence in your answer.

1. They have been investigating the case for several months. [present perfect continuous passive]
2. Someone ought to have informed the committee about the changes. [modal perfect passive]
3. Authorities were still questioning the witnesses when the lawyer arrived. [past continuous passive]
4. They may have overlooked several critical errors in the final report. [modal perfect passive]

Correction

1. The case has been being investigated for several months.
2. The committee ought to have been informed about the changes.
3. The witnesses were still being questioned by authorities when the lawyer arrived.
4. Several critical errors may have been overlooked in the final report.

Exercice 3 — Error Correction: Passive Form Mistakes

Each sentence contains one grammatical error in the use of a complex passive form. Identify the error and rewrite the full sentence correctly.

1. The contract should been signed before the meeting started.
2. The patients are being examined by the specialist since early morning.
3. All staff members must informed of any changes to the safety procedures immediately.
4. The ancient ruins had been discovering by archaeologists long before the site was made public.

Correction

1. The contract should have been signed before the meeting started.
2. The patients have been being examined by the specialist since early morning.
3. All staff members must be informed of any changes to the safety procedures immediately.
4. The ancient ruins had been discovered by archaeologists long before the site was made public.