GRAMMARC1Passive + Causative Italian learner editionEdizione per studenti italiani

C1 Passive and Causative StructuresC1 Passive and Causative Structures

Master advanced passive and causative structures for C1 writing, speaking and Cambridge-style transformations: it is believed that, he is said to have, have/get something done, be made to and more.Impara a usare passive e causative avanzate per writing, speaking e trasformazioni Cambridge C1: it is believed that, he is said to have, have/get something done, be made to e altre strutture.

it is believed thatis said to havehave something doneget something checkedwas made toneeds to be done

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1. See it in context1. Guarda la forma nel contesto

“The report is said to contain several inaccuracies, and the figures are believed to have been altered before publication. The company had the data checked by an independent auditor, but the findings still need to be reviewed carefully.” “The report is said to contain several inaccuracies, and the figures are believed to have been altered before publication. The company had the data checked by an independent auditor, but the findings still need to be reviewed carefully.”
Meaning in simple ItalianSignificato in italiano semplice

is said to contain = si dice che contenga.

are believed to have been altered = si ritiene che siano stati modificati.

had the data checked = ha fatto controllare i dati.

need to be reviewed = devono essere revisionati / vanno revisionati.

2. The complete C1 passive and causative map2. La mappa completa di passive e causative C1

Core idea:Idea centrale:

At C1, passive and causative structures help you sound more objective, formal and precise. They shift attention away from “who did it” and towards the action, result, evidence or arrangement.A livello C1, passive e causative ti aiutano a suonare più oggettivo, formale e preciso. Spostano l’attenzione da “chi ha fatto l’azione” all’azione, al risultato, alla prova o all’organizzazione.

Impersonal passivePassivo impersonale

It is said/believed/claimed that…

It is widely believed that the policy will change.

It has been suggested that the results are unreliable.

Italian trap: Non tradurre sempre “si dice che” con people says that. Usa It is said that…

Personal passive reportReporting passive personale

subject + passive verb + to infinitive

He is believed to be responsible.

The paintings are thought to have been restored.

Italian trap: Attenzione al tempo: is believed to have stolen = si ritiene che abbia rubato.

Service causativeCausative con servizi

have/get + object + past participle

We had the contract reviewed.

She got her application checked.

Italian trap: I made check the document non funziona. Di’: I had the document checked.

Causative with peopleCausative con persone

have someone do / get someone to do

I had my assistant resend the invoice.

We got the technician to inspect the system.

Italian trap: Dopo have someone non usare to. Dopo get someone usa to.

Passive causative with makeMake al passivo

be made to + base verb

The students were made to rewrite the essay.

He was made to apologise publicly.

Italian trap: Attivo: They made him apologise. Passivo: He was made to apologise.

Need + passive meaningNeed con significato passivo

need + -ing / need to be done

The proposal needs revising.

The proposal needs to be revised.

Italian trap: Non dire the proposal needs revised. Usa needs revising oppure needs to be revised.
C1 formulas to remember:Formule C1 da ricordare:
  • It is believed that + clause: It is believed that the decision was rushed.
  • Subject + is believed to + infinitive: The decision is believed to have been rushed.
  • have/get + object + past participle: We had the documents translated.
  • be made to + base verb: The witness was made to repeat the statement.
  • need + -ing / need to be + past participle: The report needs editing / needs to be edited.

3. Italian brain vs English brain3. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

Italian learners often translate “si dice”, “fare fare” and “deve essere fatto” too directly. These C1 versions sound more formal and natural.Gli studenti italiani spesso traducono “si dice”, “fare fare” e “deve essere fatto” troppo letteralmente. Queste versioni C1 sono più formali e naturali.

ItalianoLiteral / weak EnglishNatural C1 English
Si dice che il direttore sia coinvolto.People says that the director is involved.It is said that the director is involved.
Si ritiene che abbia mentito.It is believed that he lied.
OK, but less C1 in transformations.		He is believed to have lied.
Ho fatto controllare il contratto.I made check the contract.I had the contract checked.
Li hanno obbligati a ripetere il test.They were made repeat the test.They were made to repeat the test.
Il documento va corretto.The document needs corrected.The document needs correcting. / needs to be corrected.

4. How to use passive and causative structures in real C1 contexts4. Come usare passive e causative in contesti reali C1

These structures are especially useful for formal writing, reports, reviews, academic discussion and Cambridge Use of English transformations.Queste strutture sono molto utili nel writing formale, nei report, nelle review, nelle discussioni accademiche e nelle trasformazioni Cambridge Use of English.

Academic / formal writing
It has been argued that…, It is widely believed that…, The results are thought to…
Work and services
have the figures checked, get the contract reviewed, have the website redesigned
Cambridge transformations
is said to have, was made to, needs to be, had something done
Natural C1 mini-report:
The proposal is believed to have been prepared too quickly. For this reason, the board had the figures checked by an external consultant and requested that the final version be revised before publication.

5. Common mistakes5. Errori comuni

❌ People says that the plan is risky.

Use an impersonal passive for a formal C1 tone.Usa un passivo impersonale per un tono formale C1.

✅ It is said that the plan is risky.
❌ He is believed that stole the money.

After the personal passive, use “to + infinitive” or “to have + past participle”.Dopo il reporting passive personale usa “to + infinitive” oppure “to have + participio passato”.

✅ He is believed to have stolen the money.
❌ I made check my CV.

For arranged services, use have/get + object + past participle.Per servizi organizzati, usa have/get + oggetto + participio passato.

✅ I had my CV checked.
❌ She was made apologise.

In the passive form of make, add “to”.Nel passivo di make, aggiungi “to”.

✅ She was made to apologise.
❌ The report needs corrected.

Use “needs correcting” or “needs to be corrected”.Usa “needs correcting” oppure “needs to be corrected”.

✅ The report needs correcting. / The report needs to be corrected.

6. Concept Check Questions6. Domande di controllo del concetto

These questions check meaning before grammar practice.Queste domande controllano il significato prima della pratica grammaticale.

1. “It is believed that the results are unreliable.” What is the main effect?“It is believed that the results are unreliable.” Qual è l’effetto principale?
2. Which sentence means “Si ritiene che abbia mentito”?Quale frase significa “Si ritiene che abbia mentito”?
3. “I had my application checked.” Who checked it?“I had my application checked.” Chi l’ha controllata?
4. Which passive form of “They made him apologise” is correct?Quale forma passiva di “They made him apologise” è corretta?
5. Which sentence is correct?Quale frase è corretta?

7. Quick Check — choose the correct form7. Quick Check — scegli la forma corretta

1. _____ the company will announce major changes next month.
2. The documents are believed _____ before the meeting.
3. We _____ by a specialist before submitting it.
4. I got the consultant _____ the figures again.
5. The applicants were made _____ the form twice.

8. Challenge Check — C1 accuracy and naturalness8. Challenge Check — accuratezza e naturalezza C1

1. Choose the most formal sentence.Scegli la frase più formale.
2. Best rewrite: “People think he resigned last week.”Migliore riscrittura: “People think he resigned last week.”
3. You paid an expert to review your thesis. What should you say?Hai pagato un esperto per revisionare la tesi. Cosa devi dire?
4. Which sentence is natural?Quale frase è naturale?
5. Best passive: “The teacher made the students rewrite the essay.”Miglior passivo: “The teacher made the students rewrite the essay.”

9. Write it in English9. Scrivi in inglese

Translate the Italian sentence into natural C1 English.Traduci la frase in inglese naturale da livello C1.

1. Si dice che il direttore sia coinvolto.
2. Si ritiene che abbia rubato i documenti.
3. Ho fatto controllare il contratto da un avvocato.
4. Sono stati obbligati a ripetere l’esame.
5. La relazione va revisionata prima della consegna.

10. Cambridge-style transformations and correction10. Trasformazioni stile Cambridge e correzione

Rewrite the sentence using a passive or causative structure.Riscrivi la frase usando una struttura passiva o causative.

1. Rewrite using a reporting passive:

People believe that the painting is authentic.

2. Rewrite using a reporting passive:

People say that the company lost millions last year.

3. Rewrite using the causative:

A professional translated my documents.

4. Rewrite in the passive:

The manager made the team work overtime.

5. Rewrite in the passive:

Someone should check these figures before the presentation.

11. Mini dialogue practice11. Mini dialogo pratico

Choose the most natural C1 reply.Scegli la risposta C1 più naturale.

A: “Why hasn’t the report been published yet?”

12. Guided writing task12. Writing guidato

Write a short formal update about a problem at work or school. Include at least four passive/causative structures.Scrivi un breve aggiornamento formale su un problema al lavoro o a scuola. Includi almeno quattro strutture passive/causative.

impersonal passive: It is said that…
personal reporting passive
have/get + object + past participle
be made to + verb
needs + passive meaning
modal passive
Capital letters + punctuation + 55+ words
Model answer:

It is believed that the delay was caused by a technical issue in the booking system. The problem is said to have affected several students, so we had the records checked by the administration team. The final list still needs to be reviewed before it is sent out, and all affected students should be contacted by email. The team was made to repeat the verification process to avoid further errors.

13. How to use this grammar in real life13. Come usare questa grammatica nella vita reale

Passive and causative structures are essential when you want to sound diplomatic, objective and academically mature.Passive e causative sono fondamentali quando vuoi suonare diplomatico, oggettivo e maturo a livello accademico.

Use it in writingUsala nel writing

Use passive reporting to avoid sounding too personal or unsupported.Usa il reporting passive per evitare un tono troppo personale o poco supportato.

Example:
It has been argued that remote work improves productivity, although further evidence is needed.

Use it in transformationsUsala nelle transformations

Cambridge often tests whether you can transform active reporting sentences into passive reporting or causative forms.Cambridge spesso verifica se sai trasformare frasi reporting attive in reporting passive o causative.

Example:
People believe he invented the method. → He is believed to have invented the method.
Want a lasting method to really learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare davvero l’inglese?

Book a consultation with us and we will help you understand the best path for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio con noi: ti aiuteremo a capire il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

14. Final score and report14. Punteggio finale e report

Check the score, identify weak areas and download or save the result.Controlla il punteggio, identifica le aree deboli e scarica o salva il risultato.

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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