Using passive voice
|
Passive voice or be + adjective | page 5 of 5 |
Pseudo-passives
Pseudo-passives are not really passives at all. They have no active versions and they
cannot take agents 
:
No matter what happens, the Chinese Government and people are determined and able to resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong as scheduled. (SCMP 11/3/93)
An eel grass bed near Tung Chung is only one of two in Hong Kong and the nearest other sites are located 1,500 kilometres north. (SCMP 13/7/92)
It is not possible to change these clauses into active voice:
… something determines the Chinese Government and people to resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong as scheduled.
… someone locates the nearest other sites 1,500 kilometres north.
Introduction
Pseudo-passives
