Anonymous  +  132311 Tue, 30 Aug 05 09:29 PM hi all, my name is ellen and my english exam is coming up but there is one question in my course I keep strugling with: namely, what is the difference between a passive and acausative? I know that a causative describes something being done for someone by someone else. And I think that a causative can only be found in an active sentence. Is that correct?   How do I explain the difference? Please help a desperate belgian girl Anonymous Difference Between

	Clive  +  132355 Wed, 31 Aug 05 02:30 AM Hi Ellen, what is the difference between a passive and a causative? Sorry, I'm not familiar with the grammar term 'causative', perhaps someone else can offer an opinion. I know that a causative describes something being done for someone by someone else. Mary cooked dinner for Tom fits this definition. Is that what you mean? And I think that a causative can only be found in an active sentence. Dinner was cooked for Tom by Mary is the passive version, and seems to have the same meaning as the active version. I think you need to look carefully at your definition of a causative, and at some examples of it. As I said, perhaps someone else here can offer you more information. Good luck with the exam, Clive     Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,301 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Grammar, Difference Between

	xsi  +  132372 Wed, 31 Aug 05 03:14 AM Hey Ellen, I am not sure what is causative so I'll try my best to explain passive. The normal sentence structure is <subject> <verb> <object>. The passive form is the reversed structure of a normal sentence, <object> <passive form verb> <subject>. Example: The Government elects Sean Kennedy as the next Prime Minister. Passive: Sean Kennedy is elected as the next Prime Minister by the Government. xsi Joined on Wed, Oct 13 2004 New Member 29 Verbs, Difference Between, Sentence Structures

	CalifJim  +  132703 Thu, 01 Sep 05 03:13 AM Active:  Mary washed the dog. Passive:  The dog was washed by Mary. The dog was washed. Causative 'have' with active:  I had Mary wash the dog. Causative 'have' with passive:  I had the dog washed by Mary.  I had the dog washed. Causative 'make' with active:  I made Mary wash the dog. The following is not correct. Causative 'make' with passive:  I made the dog (be) washed by Mary.  I made the dog (be) washed. I hope that helps. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,128 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Difference Between