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JungKim Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Passive of fail

(1) He failed his driving test.
(2) The examiners failed over half the candidates.
(3) She tried to be brave, but her courage failed her.

Here's passive counterparts:
(1') His driving test was failed by him.
(2') Over half the candidates were failed by the examiners.
(3') She tried to be brave, but she was failed by her courage.

Are these possible English?
  

Top answer

JungKim Are these possible English? #1' is not. #3' is borderline; it has a complex of problems.

— Mister Micawber

  • JungKim Are these possible English?
  • #1' is not.
  • #3' is borderline; it has a complex of problems.
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5 Answers
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JungKimAre these possible English?
#1' is not.
#3' is borderline; it has a complex of problems.
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Thanks, Mister Micawber.

So, it's clear that (2') is fine?

Also, I thought that (3') was not possible, but now that you say it's borderline, could you elaborate the complex of problems?
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JungKimit's clear that (2') is fine?
As fine as passive voice can be when you should use active voice.
JungKimcould you elaborate the complex of problems?
The passive problem is overshadowed by the truism or oxymoron or whatever it is: She tried to be courageous, but she was failed by her courage. So does she have a
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Let me ask you this one:
(4) You failed me. (As in you let me down.)
Can you say this in the passive?
(4') I was failed by you.
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