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Murat guler Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Can Indirect Object Of An Active Sentence Be The Subject Of Passive Sentence?

Hi All

Can indirect object of an active sentence be the subject of passive sentence? For example....

Rita wrote a letter to me (Active sentence. "Letter" is object and "me" is indirect object.

A letter was written to me by Rita (regular passive sentence)

I was written a letter by Rita (possible ???)

Thanks
  

Top answer

Yes - but it is far from what would actually be said. The subject is the focus of the idea behind the sentence, with the recipient of the action as the object. So - I was written a letter of condolence, signed by everyone at work.

— Terryxpress

  • Yes - but it is far from what would actually be said.
  • The subject is the focus of the idea behind the sentence, with the recipient of the action as the object.
  • So - I was written a letter of condolence, signed by everyone at work.
  • I really did need support in those early days.
  • Rita wrote a letter to me.
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3 Answers
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Yes - but it is far from what would actually be said. The subject is the focus of the idea behind the sentence, with the recipient of the action as the object.
So -
I was written a letter of condolence, signed by everyone at work. I really did need support in those early days.
Rita wrote a letter
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murat gulerCan indirect object of an active sentence be the subject of passive sentence?
Yes, though these passives don't always sound right, especially with the 'by' phrase. Acceptability depends on the verb.

I was written a letter. Not bad. Not great either.
I was written a letter by Rita. Not good.

The pattern probabl
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