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Harry1999 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Overwhelmed vs Be overwhelmed

Hi,

I am confused about the following sentence:

  • They were overwhelmed with work.

Is overwhelmed used as a verb(passive) or an adjective?

If it's a passive voice, then who is the agent and patient?

Below sentence is also like above

  • They were overwhelmed with joy.


Please help me out!

Sometimes I get confused identifying passive and past participle adjective. Any basic rule to identify passive and past participle adjective?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

The sentences can be rewritten with the same meaning: 1) (The large amount of) work overwhelmed them. 2) (The feeling of) joy overwhelmed them. Thus, I would say that these sentences are in passive voice.

— AlpheccaStars

  • The sentences can be rewritten with the same meaning: 1) (The large amount of) work overwhelmed them.
  • 2) (The feeling of) joy overwhelmed them.
  • Thus, I would say that these sentences are in passive voice.
  • org/wiki/English_passive_voice
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1 Answers
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The sentences can be rewritten with the same meaning:

1) (The large amount of) work overwhelmed them.

2) (The feeling of) joy overwhelmed them.

Thus, I would say that these sentences are in passive voice.

See this article on passive constructions:
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