2. Intransitive Verbs
- Intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive voice because they do not take a direct object. - Intransitive verbs include arrive, come, die, go, look, happen, occur, itch, rain, rise, appear, disappear; and sit. - Allison came to breakfast early this morning. - The model employee arrives at work on time every day. - Something strange has happened to my computer. - The guests arrived ten minutes before the start of the tour.
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4. Impersonal Passive
- The impersonal passive is only used with verbs referring to perception or opinion such as say, think, know, and consider. - These verbs are put into the passive using an impersonal construction such as it is said, it is believed, and it is felt. - It is said that Fillmore News Corporations has the largest subscriber base in the country. - It is believed that shorter working hours promote higher productivity.
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5. Sentences with Two Objects When a sentence contains two objects, both the active and passive sentences can take two forms.
- The manager gave |
the employees |
the new schedules. |
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Object 1
|
Object 2
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A. Active Voice
Subject |
Verb |
lndirect Object |
Direct Object |
The manager |
gave |
the employees |
the new schedules. |
Subject |
Verb |
lndirect Object |
Direct Object |
The manager |
gave |
the new schedules |
to the employees. |
B. Passive Voice
Subject |
Verb |
Object |
(by + agent) |
The employees |
were given |
the new schedules |
(by the manager). |
Subject |
Verb |
Object |
(by + agent) |
The new schedules |
were given |
to the employees |
(by the manager). |
In the passive, the doer of the action is referred to as the agent. The agent is often introduced by the preposition by. Note: An agent is not always stated. - Tony was fired by the committee. (committee = agent) - Tony was fired. (no agent)
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