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Passive structure (When? (If the subject of a verb is new information, the…
Passive structure
What? In an active sentence, the subject performs the action, while in a passive sentence the subject undergoes it.
How?
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Not every verb can have a passive form; passive construction are impossible with intransitive verbs (e.g. static verbs which refer to states, not actions)
In a passive clause, by is usually used to introduce the agent (note: agent is often not mentioned)
When?
If the subject of a verb is new information, the verb is often made passive so that the new information comes at the end
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Typical difficulties
Verbs with two objects
e.g. give send, show, lend, pay, promise, refuse, tell and offer
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Verbs with prepositions
e.g. look at, listen to, pay for, etc.
Objects of prepositional verbs can become subjects in passive structures. The word order is important, as the preposition cannot be dropped.
e.g. throw stones at, steal a bicycle from, give flower to, etc.
If there is already a direct object, the second object (after the preposition) cannot become a passive subject
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The Dutch form 'men'
One (if speaker is included); you (informal, if speaker is included ); they (if speaker is excluded); people (more vague, if speaker is excluded)