Pronouns & Basic Sentence Structure

Passive voice: is/are + past participle

The book is written by her / The windows are cleaned weekly

Passive voice: was/were + past participle

The bridge was built in 1900 / The letter was sent yesterday

Passive voice: by-agent

The house was designed by a famous architect — "by" + agent

Passive voice without agent

The thief was arrested — no need to say who; agent is unknown or obvious

Fronting for emphasis

This I cannot accept / Never have I seen such a thing — topic moved to front

Cleft sentences: It is/was...who/that

It was Maria who found it / It was yesterday that I saw him

Cleft sentences: What...is/was

What I need is a holiday / What she wants is more time

Passive reporting structures

It is said that... / He is believed to be... / They are thought to have...

have / get something done

I had my hair cut / She got her car repaired / We had the house painted

Impersonal "it is said / it was reported"

It is believed that... / It was announced that... / It has been confirmed that...