Are there conflicting syntactic functions in the passive
His hand has been scratched.
Is His hand a subject in the sentence above and the direct object of the transitive "scratch" at the same time?
Top answer
In the passive voice, the grammatical subject is the receiver of the action. The rusty nail has scratched his hand. (active voice) When we don't know who or what scratched his hand, we use the passive voice.
- In the passive voice, the grammatical subject is the receiver of the action.
- The rusty nail has scratched his hand.
- (active voice) When we don't know who or what scratched his hand, we use the passive voice.
- Doctor, can you look at this, please?
- His hand has been scratched.
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In the passive voice, the grammatical subject is the receiver of the action.
The rusty nail has scratched his hand. (active voice)
When we don't know who or what scratched his hand, we use the passive voice.
Doctor, can you look at this, please? His hand has been scratched.
0anonymousHis hand has been scratched.
Is His hand a subject in the sentence above and the direct object of the transitive "scratch" at the same time?
No. I think you're confusing syntax and semantics.
The cat | has scratched | his hand.
Syntax: Subject | Verb | Direct Object
Semantics: Agent | Action | Receiver (of the acti
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