for no ads

Personal and Impersonal Passive?

4 replies
:
Asslam-u-alikum,
Can anyone tell me what is personal or impersonal passive i have some articles from the internet but they did not satisfied me.so please give me some explanation.
New Member04
:
This is off the [url=http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive ]internet[/url] too, Abmateen, but I could do no better:

Personal Passive simply means that the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. So every verb that needs an object (transitive verb) can form a personal passive.

Example: They build houses. – Houses are built.

Verbs without an object (intransitive verb) normally cannot form a personal passive sentence (as there is no object that can become the subject of the passive sentence). If you want to use an intransitive verb in passive voice, you need an impersonal construction – therefore this passive is called Impersonal Passive.

Example: he says – it is said

Impersonal Passive is not as common in English as in some other languages (e.g. German, Latin). In English, Impersonal Passive is only possible with verbs of perception (e. g. say, think, know).

Example: They say that women live longer than men. – It is said that women live longer than men.

Although Impersonal Passive is possible here, Personal Passive is more common.

Example: They say that women live longer than men. – Women are said to live longer than men.

[To form Impersonal Passive] the subject of the subordinate clause (women) goes to the beginning of the sentence; the verb of perception is put into passive voice. The rest of the sentence is added using an infinitive construction with 'to' (certain auxiliary verbs and that are dropped).

Sometimes the term Personal Passive is used in English lessons if the indirect object of an active sentence is to become the subject of the passive sentence.
Veteran Member77,088
SystemAdministrator: A system administrator takes care of the inner workings of the entire system. These users have the ability to promote, ban and modify other users.Teachers: Users in this role are certified teachers. This may include DELTA, CELTA, TESOL, TEFL qualified professionals. Email a scan of your qualification to an admin, if you wish to be considered.
Anonymous:
You are coping this information from other site, its not fear, its crime !
:
Hi Anon! Mister Micawber didn't commit any crime, in fact as you can see he gave us the link which he took the paragraph from, just click on "internet":
Mister MicawberThis is off the internet too, Abmateen, but I could do no better:

Contributing Member1,626
Retired Moderator: A moderator who has retired.Trusted Users: Trusted users are allowed to use additional capabilities of the site such as private messaging to all users and various other advanced features. You cannot join this role unless you are promoted by an administrator.
:
Anonymous
You are coping this information from other site, its not fear, its crime !

Would you care to explain that, Anon?
Veteran Member26,558
Proficient Speaker: Users in this role are known to maintain an excellent grasp of the English language. You can only be promoted to this role by the Englishforums team.Retired Moderator: A moderator who has retired.Trusted Users: Trusted users are allowed to use additional capabilities of the site such as private messaging to all users and various other advanced features. You cannot join this role unless you are promoted by an administrator.
Interesting stuff
Live chat
Registered users can join here

Related forum topics:

Confuse personal pronouns?Impersonal pronouns?Personal reference letter to the courtpersonal development?personal?Personal questions?Personal Opinionpersonal pronouns?Personal statement - editing helpRequest for a personal loanPersonal boy scout...?Personal alliance?Personal profileImpersonal absolute participles?Listing personal strengths?Personal messages?

Places to start

 

Community Sites

Browse Englishforums


Help