Introduction

At C1 level, passive voice is no longer just a way to sound formal or to hide the agent. It becomes a flexible toolkit for shaping perspective: you can highlight responsibility without naming it, emphasise procedures rather than people, or present events as reported, arranged, or experienced. In this unit, you will work with alternative passive constructions that are common in professional, academic, and narrative English—especially when the “doer” is unknown, irrelevant, or deliberately backgrounded.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, you will be able to: (1) use have/get something done to describe services, arrangements, and unwanted experiences; (2) use reporting passives (e.g., It is said that… / He is said to…) to present information with appropriate distance; (3) use need/want/require + -ing as an alternative passive; (4) choose between passive patterns to control emphasis, formality, and implied agency.

1) The “causative” passive: have / get something done

In everyday life and in professional contexts, we often talk about actions that are performed for us by someone else: a mechanic repairs a car; a designer updates a logo; an IT specialist installs software. English frequently expresses this with a structure that looks active but functions like a passive in meaning: have/get + object + past participle.

Form: Subject + have/get + object + past participle (+ by + agent, optional)
Meaning: The subject arranges for someone else to do the action; the focus is on the service/result, not the agent.

Examples:
We had the contract reviewed before signing.
I’m getting my laptop repaired tomorrow.
They had the documents translated into three languages.

Important concept
Have is generally more neutral and slightly more formal; get often suggests effort, persuasion, or informality. Compare: We had the issue resolved (procedural, calm) vs We finally got the issue resolved (effort, relief).

2) “Have/get something done” for unpleasant experiences

The same structure can describe something negative that happens to the subject—often unexpectedly. In this use, the subject does not arrange the action; the construction highlights the subject as the affected party.

Examples:
She had her phone stolen on the train.
We got our reservation cancelled at the last minute.
He had his identity compromised in a data breach.

Warning
Do not confuse have something done (service/experience) with have done something (present perfect). Compare: I have my hair cut every six weeks (service) vs I have cut my hair (I did it).

3) Reporting passives: distancing, diplomacy, and academic tone

When information is uncertain, second-hand, sensitive, or simply not worth attributing to a specific source, English often uses reporting passives. These allow you to present claims with controlled distance—useful in academic writing, journalism, and professional communication.

Pattern A: It + be + past participle + that-clause
Examples:
It is believed that the market will stabilise in Q3.
It has been reported that the files were leaked.
It was assumed that the policy would remain unchanged.

Pattern B: Subject + be + past participle + to-infinitive
Examples:
The CEO is expected to announce a restructuring plan.
The device is thought to consume less energy than earlier models.
Several witnesses were seen to leave the building.

Choosing the infinitive:
Use to do for present/future reference: is expected to arrive.
Use to have done for earlier actions: is believed to have resigned (resignation happened before the belief/report).

Important concept
Reporting passives are not merely “formal.” They are rhetorical: they let you signal uncertainty (is thought to), avoid direct accusation (is alleged to), or present consensus without naming individuals (is widely believed to).

4) Need / want / require + -ing (passive meaning)

English sometimes uses an -ing form with passive meaning, especially with need, want, and require. This is concise and common in spoken and written English.

Examples:
The report needs editing. (= needs to be edited)
These files require backing up immediately. (= require to be backed up)
Your proposal wants tightening in the methodology section. (= wants to be tightened)

In professional tone, need + -ing is particularly natural: The figures need checking. It can sound less blunt than directly naming an agent: You need to check the figures.

5) Choosing the best alternative passive

At C1, accuracy is only half the goal; the other half is control. Each construction implies a different relationship between the subject and the action.

Use “be + past participle” when you want a standard passive, especially for processes and official actions: The application was rejected.
Use “have/get something done” when the subject arranges a service or is affected by an event: We had the system upgraded / We had our data erased.
Use reporting passives to create distance and manage evidence: It is claimed that… / She is believed to….
Use need/want/require + -ing for concise evaluation and priorities: The introduction needs rewriting.

Practice

Practice section
Complete each item by rewriting it using the passive construction indicated. Aim for natural C1 phrasing and appropriate tone.