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LanguageLover Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Active or passive?
0 It's a silly question, but obviously i don't know the answer! So, here it is: 02 br
02 br
00 This wire is used to (be) connect(ed) to the positive side of a backup battery to power the unit. 0-
02 br
00 This wire is used to (be) connect(ed) to the positive side of a backup battery to power the unit. 0-
Top answer
0 This is passive. I would guess that this construction has been used to avoid using the imperative form: “Connect this wire to the positive side of a backup battery” 0-
- 0 This is passive.
- I would guess that this construction has been used to avoid using the imperative form: “Connect this wire to the positive side of a backup battery” 0-
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5 Answers
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0 This is passive. I would guess that this construction has been used to avoid using the imperative form: “Connect this wire to the positive side of a backup battery” 0-
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0 Or "use this wire to connect the positive side ... to ..." 02 br
02 br
00 I don't much like the original sentence, LLover, but then I'm not a native... I would rather say "this wire is used to connect the...". "Is used" is a passive construction. "Is used to be connected" just seems too much for me, as if the sole use of that kind of wire were to be connected etc... 02 br
02 br
00 I don't much like the original sentence, LLover, but then I'm not a native... I would rather say "this wire is used to connect the...". "Is used" is a passive construction. "Is used to be connected" just seems too much for me, as if the sole use of that kind of wire were to be connected etc... 02 br
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0 00 I don’t think anyone will prove you wrong pieanne! You are quite right. 00 0-
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0 Hi guys, 02 br
02 br
00 It's very common to say 01 font 00 This wire 01 i 00 connects to 02 i 00 the positive side of a backup battery to power the unit. 02 font 00 This would typically appear in instructions, with the meaning 'you should connect this wire to the positive side . . .' 02 br
02 br
00 Best wish
02 br
00 It's very common to say 01 font 00 This wire 01 i 00 connects to 02 i 00 the positive side of a backup battery to power the unit. 02 font 00 This would typically appear in instructions, with the meaning 'you should connect this wire to the positive side . . .' 02 br
02 br
00 Best wish
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0 Thanks for your answers, Nick, Pieanne, and Clive. Sorry that I had forgot that I had posted the question, so there was a delay in thanking you. Pieanne, it's an installation guide I'm working on. And honestly, I do not like most of the sentences. I'm trying to edit the context, but I have to be cautious since I found out that the language is a bit different from what I considered as English. I
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