0
English 1b3 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Passive voice

Is this meant to be active or passive? I don't think it can be active and function/situate itself like this:

Started in the garage long ago, the company has become well-known.

As passive voice, it is a past participle (phrase) meaning 'the company, which was started (by John) in the garage long ago...

But it could also be active and be a simple past verb, which I don't think it can be here, can it, since it would no longer be functioning adjectivally:

The company, which started in the garage long ago, has become well-known.

Just confiming, thanks a lot!
  

Top answer

Both of your expanded clauses are adjectival. There is no way of identifying the voice.

— Mister Micawber

  • Both of your expanded clauses are adjectival.
  • There is no way of identifying the voice.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
Both of your expanded clauses are adjectival. There is no way of identifying the voice.
0
0
There is no way of identifying the voice.

Doesn't this mean that they must be passive voice? If it were active voice, the word would be a past tense verb and would no longer function adjectivally.
0
0
It seems to me to modify 'company' in either case. Nevertheless, the passive seems much more likely.
0
0
Yes, for it to be active, it would need to be in the ing form.

Cheers
0

Related Questions