akdom  +  963674 Fri, 06 Nov 09 08:28 PM Question 1 in Encarta.msn dictionary one entry of the definitions of Steamroller is: (v) advance something: to move something forward in an aggressive way that does not tolerate opposition and then they give the example sentence: The legislation was steamrollered through Congress.   Wouldn't it make more sense saying: The legislation steamrollered through Congress. Because I think the passive form suggested the legislation was crushed.   Question 2 What's the difference between steamrollER and steamroll? Can I say: The legislation steamrolled through Congress.   akdom Joined on Wed, Jun 4 2008 Full Member 143 Difference Between, Sentences

	CalifJim  +  963692 Fri, 06 Nov 09 08:43 PM According to m-w.com, steamroller is the main verb.  steamroll is a variant of the same verb.  So you can use either was steamrollered through Congress or was steamrolled through Congress. akdom “I think the passive form suggested the legislation was crushed. ” That may be your impression, but it's not the correct use of the verb.  A human agent must do the steamrollering (or steamrolling), so the legislation (an inanimate) cannot steamroller (or steamroll) anything.  Think of push as a rough synonym for steamroller, and you'll see what I mean.  Legislation can't push, but it can be pushed. That said, the word is not used with great frequency, so someone has probably started to use it in the active voice with an inanimate subject, and you just may find examples of the usage you describe. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,385 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Usages