Using passive voice

warn2.gif (965 bytes) Students' problems page 6 of 6

Passive voice with linking verbs

Students quite often try to use passive voice with linking verbs gloss.gif (923 bytes) which cannot be passivised:

Although I was so frightened, I still tried my best to give first aid to the poor manager. For a while the street was remained quiet, but then I could clearly hear the robbers and the policemen exchanging fire again.
(TeleNex Students)
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For a while the street remained quiet, but then I could clearly hear the robbers and the policemen exchanging fire again.

Seeing a film in the cinema is cost fifty dollars. (TeleNex Students)
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Seeing a film in the cinema costs fifty dollars.

A controversy has been lasted for some time concerning one of the most popular types of film in Hong Kong which deals with local gangsters. (TeleNex Students)
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A controversy has lasted for some time concerning one of the most popular types of film in Hong Kong which deals with local gangsters.

For further information about the use of passive voice with linking verbs, see 04conten.gif (549 bytes) Using passive voice: Passive voice with linking verbs.

06studpr.gif (552 bytes) Introduction
06studpr.gif (552 bytes) Passive voice with intransitive verbs
06studpr.gif (552 bytes) Active voice instead of passive voice
06studpr.gif (552 bytes) Passive voice with ergative verbs
06studpr.gif (552 bytes) Passive voice with attitude verbs
square.gif (58 bytes) Passive voice with linking verbs

gend.gif (844 bytes)