Active to Passive

Question

Are there any grammar rules about placing by + agent in transforming active to passive?Please explain it to me.Thanks a lot.

GPY · Accepted Answer

I can't think of any grammar rule except to say that you can add "by + agent" after the verb.

The police arrested her.
She was arrested by the police.

Did you have anything else specifically in mind?

CalifJim · Answer

thein lwinPlease explain it to me.

1. Place the subject of the active sentence after "by" at the end of the passive sentence.

My dog chases cars.
...... by my dog.

2. Place the object of the active sentence at the beginning of the passive sentence as the subject of the passive sentence.

Cars ... by my dog.

3. Place the past participle of the active verb just before the by-phrase in the passive sentence.

Cars ... chased by my dog.

4. Select the form of be that fits the subject in number (singular / plural) and the tense of the active sentence.

Cars are chased by my dog.
__________________

The thieves have taken the book.
1. ... by the thieves.
2. The book ... by the thieves.
3. The book ... taken by the thieves.
4. The book has been taken by the thieves.
__________________

Here's how you do it if there are more words at the beginning or end.

Unfortunately, the committee rejected the manager's proposals last Thursday.
1. Unfortunately, ... by the committee last Thursday.
2. Unfortunately, the manager's proposals ... by the committee last Thursday.
3. Unfortunately, the manager's proposals ... rejected by the committee last Thursday.
4. Unfortunately, the manager's proposals were rejected by the committee last Thursday.
__________

This method should work 99% of the time.

CJ

Fivejedjon · Answer

CalifJimThis method should work 99% of the time.

Thein lwin · Answer

fivejedjonCalifJimThis method should work 99% of the time.

Q.His parents do not allow him to go out at night.
A.1. He is not allowed to go out at night by his parents.
2. He is not allowed by his parents to go out at night.
Are both sentences correct?If there are other adverbs such as manner, place,time, reason,etc., where is 'by agent' placed in the passive sentence.Thanks again.

CalifJim · Answer

thein lwinAre both sentences correct?If there are other adverbs such as manner, place,time, reason,etc., where is 'by agent' placed in the passive sentence.Thanks again.

Both are correct, but the first is better. The placement of the those phrases can be quite variable. If the adverbs seem to be very closely connected to the meaning of the verb, they should be placed closer to it than the by-phrase. Every case is unique.

CJ

Active to Passive

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