Introduction to Passive, Causative, and Impersonal Structures

Welcome to one of the most useful chapters in your Language B journey! Have you ever wondered why some news reports sound so formal, or why a scientific article focuses on the "experiment" rather than the "scientist"? That is where passive, causative, and impersonal structures come in. These are not just "grammar rules"; they are tools that help you change your register and tone. Mastering these will help you move from basic descriptions to the sophisticated, professional writing required for the IB Diploma Programme, especially in Paper 1 and the Individual Oral.

1. The Passive Voice: Shifting the Focus

In most basic sentences (the active voice), the person doing the action comes first. In the passive voice, we shift the focus to the person or thing receiving the action.

How to build it:

The basic formula is: Object + [To Be] + Past Participle

Example (Active): The government (subject) changed the law (object).
Example (Passive): The law (subject) was changed (by the government).

Why use it in Language B?

In your IB themes, you will often need the passive voice for different reasons:

  • When the doer is unknown: "The ancient ruins were discovered in 1920." (We might not know exactly who found them).
  • When the action is more important than the doer: In the theme of Human Ingenuity, you might write: "New vaccines are developed every year."
  • To sound more formal: Passive voice is common in professional texts like reports or formal letters.

Quick Tip: Don't forget the verb "to be"! A common mistake is saying "The law changed" when you mean "The law was changed." Always check your tense: is done, was done, will be done, has been done.

Key Takeaway:

Use the passive voice when you want to sound objective, formal, or when the result of an action is more important than who did it.

2. Causative Structures: Getting Things Done

Sometimes, we don't do an action ourselves; we arrange for someone else to do it for us. This is called the causative.

How to build it:

The most common formula is: Have/Get + Object + Past Participle

Example (Active): I cut my hair. (I did it myself with scissors).
Example (Causative): I had my hair cut. (A barber did it for me).

Real-World IB Examples:

In the theme of Experiences or Social Organization, you might use this to describe services or systems:

  • "To improve the school, the principal had the classrooms repainted."
  • "Before the trip, they got their passports renewed."

Don't worry if this seems tricky: Just remember that the object (the thing being worked on) always goes between the verb "have/get" and the past participle.

Key Takeaway:

Use "have/get something done" when someone else performs a service for you or for a character in your writing.

3. Impersonal Structures: Distancing and Generalizing

In Higher Level (HL) writing and Standard Level (SL) formal tasks, you often need to discuss general opinions or facts without saying "I think" or "People say." This makes your argument sound more balanced and "academic."

Structure A: "It is..."

Use It + [Passive Verb] + that...

Common phrases:
- It is said that...
- It is believed that...
- It is thought that...
- It is argued that...

Example: "In the theme of Sharing the Planet, it is widely believed that climate change requires global cooperation."

Structure B: Using "One" or "They"

You can use the pronoun "One" to talk about people in general, though this is very formal.

Example: "One must consider the ethical implications of AI."

Why this matters for your exam:

In Paper 1 (Productive Skills), using impersonal structures shows the examiner that you understand Conceptual Understanding: Register. It moves your writing from a "personal" category to a "professional" or "mass media" category.

Key Takeaway:

Impersonal structures help you state opinions as general facts or widely held beliefs, which is perfect for essays, reports, and editorials.

Summary for IB Success

To score high in Criterion A (Language), you need a variety of grammatical structures. Here is a quick review of how to use these in your exam:

  • Passive Voice: Use for news reports (Mass Media) or scientific innovation (Human Ingenuity). "The experiment was conducted..."
  • Causative: Use for personal letters or blogs (Personal Texts) when describing services. "I finally had my car repaired..."
  • Impersonal: Use for formal essays or proposals (Professional Texts) to argue a point. "It is often suggested that..."

Common Mistake to Avoid: Avoid overusing the passive voice! If you use it in every sentence, your writing can become difficult to read. Mix it with active sentences to keep your message clear and engaging (Criterion B: Message).

Note: For more on how these structures fit into different timeframes, see the chapter on "Tenses and time reference".