The passive

Question 1

What is a passive sentence?

Answer 1

A sentence where the SUBJECT of the verb is acted on by the AGENT (normally introduced by par/by)

Question 2

How are compound tenses used with the passive voice?

Answer 2

In the passive voice, compound tenses will

1. Have an auxiliary verb and TWO past participles
2. The past participle of the auxiliary verb must not agree with the subject of the verb
3. Only the past participle of the main verb must agree with the gender and number of the subject

Question 3

In French, which types of active object can be transformed into a passive subject?

Answer 3

Only direct objects

Question 4

Which types of verb must you therefore watch out for when translating EN>FR?

Answer 4

1. Verbs that take a direct object in English but an indiret object in French, e.g. to please/plaire à
2. Verbs which can have both a direct object and an indirect object, e.g. promettre (qqch à qqn)

Question 5

When should the passive be used in French?

Answer 5

1. Formal language
2. For emphasis of one element of the sentence
3. To avoid sentences where an inanimate objects performs an action on an animate object