The passive
The active form = the subject of the verb is carrying out the action of the verb.
The passive form = when the subject is not carrying out the action of the verb, but is on the receiving end.
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Le chien a poursuivi le chat |
The dog chased the cat |
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Le chat a été poursuivi par le chien |
The cat was chased by the dog |
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Formation
The French passive is formed in a similar way to the English passive.
L’homme lave la voiture.
- The passive verb is formed by replacing the active verb with être plus the past participle of the active verb: mange —> est lavé
- The object of the sentence becomes the subject: … lave la voiture —> La voiture est lavée…
- The subject of the sentence is placed after the verb and is used with par: L’homme lave … —> … est lavée par l’homme.
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La police a surpris les cambrioleurs. |
Les cambrioleurs ont été surpris par la police |
