Welcome to the World of Advanced Communication!

In this chapter of Grammar and language in use, we are going to learn three powerful tools that will help you move from basic sentences to more sophisticated language. Think of Passive Voice, Reported Speech, and Modality as the "special effects" of language. They allow you to change the focus of a story, retell what happened at a party, or express how certain you are about a fact. These skills are essential for reaching the capable and proficient levels in your MYP assessments!

1. The Passive Voice: Shifting the Focus

Most of the time, we use the Active Voice. We say who did the action first.
Example: "The chef cooked the meal." (Chef = Important)

In the Passive Voice, we shift the focus to the person or thing that receives the action.
Example: "The meal was cooked by the chef." (Meal = Important)

How to Build a Passive Sentence

To make a passive sentence, follow this simple formula:
\(Object + form of "to be" + Past Participle\)

  • Present Simple: The letters are delivered every day.
  • Past Simple: The window was broken yesterday.
  • Future: The results will be published next week.

Why Use the Passive Voice?

  • When the "doer" is unknown: "My bike was stolen!" (We don't know who did it).
  • When the action is more important: "The pyramid was built thousands of years ago."
  • In formal writing (Criterion D): It sounds more professional and objective.

Quick Review: If you want to include the person who did the action, use the word by.
"The song was written by Beyoncé."

2. Reported Speech: Retelling the Story

Reported Speech (also called Indirect Speech) is what we use when we want to tell someone else what another person said. We don't use quotation marks here.

The "Backshift" Rule

When we report something that was said in the past, the verb usually takes one "step back" into the past. Imagine a time traveler going backward!

  • Direct: "I am happy," says Sam.
    Reported: Sam said that he was happy.
  • Direct: "I have finished," says Maria.
    Reported: Maria told me she had finished.
  • Direct: "I will help you," says Tom.
    Reported: Tom said he would help me.

Changing Pronouns and Time

Don't forget to change the "who" and the "when" to match the new perspective!

  • I becomes he or she.
  • Today becomes that day.
  • Tomorrow becomes the next day.
  • Here becomes there.

Common Mistake: Using "said" and "told" incorrectly.
Use said alone: He said he was tired.
Use told with a person: He told me he was tired.

3. Modality: Expressing Attitude and Certainty

Modal verbs are "helper" verbs that change the meaning of the main verb. They help us express things like ability, permission, or how sure we are about something.

Common Modal Verbs and Their Jobs

  • Can / Could: Ability or permission.
    "I can speak English." (Ability)
    "Could I leave early?" (Polite permission)
  • Must / Have to: Strong obligation or necessity.
    "You must wear a seatbelt."
  • Should: Giving advice.
    "You should study for the Criterion B reading test."
  • Might / May / May: Possibility.
    "It might rain later." (Not 100% sure).

Did you know? Modal verbs never change their form. You never add "-s", "-ed", or "-ing" to them. You would never say "he cans" or "she musted"!

Degrees of Certainty

In Phase 5 and 6 (Proficient), you can use modals to show exactly how sure you are:
\(100\% certainty\) \(\rightarrow\) Will
\(95\% certainty\) \(\rightarrow\) Must ("He must be at home; his lights are on.")
\(50\% certainty\) \(\rightarrow\) May/Might/Could ("He might be at the gym.")
\(0\% certainty\) \(\rightarrow\) Can't ("That can't be true!")

Summary for Success

Key Takeaways:

  • Use Passive Voice to focus on the result or the object of a sentence.
  • Use Reported Speech to share information from others, remembering to "step back" the verb tense.
  • Use Modality to show your attitude, give advice, or explain how certain you are about a situation.

Final Tip for MYP Students: In your Criterion C (Speaking) and Criterion D (Writing) assessments, try to use at least one reported speech sentence or a passive construction. It shows the examiner that you have a "range of grammatical structures," which is exactly what you need to reach the top mark bands (7–8)!

Note: For more on how to link these sentences together, check out the chapter on "Connectives and complex sentences."