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Lucas21c Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Passive/Active form

I extracted the following sentence A from the script of Dexter s06x12.
Could you tell me what are differences between A and B?

A. I got a report that your boat had washed ashore.

B. I got a report that your boat had been washed ashore.

(To me, B sounds more natural, but the original line is A.)
Thank you.
  

Top answer

Both are natural and common. This is the kind of verb (I've forgotten its term) that can be either active or passive with the same subject: Your boat washed ashore. Your boat was washed ashore (by the sea).

— Mister Micawber

  • Both are natural and common.
  • This is the kind of verb (I've forgotten its term) that can be either active or passive with the same subject: Your boat washed ashore.
  • Your boat was washed ashore (by the sea).
  • The tree blew (in the wind).
  • The tree was blown (by the wind).
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1 Answers
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Both are natural and common. This is the kind of verb (I've forgotten its term) that can be either active or passive with the same subject:

Your boat washed ashore.
Your boat was washed ashore (by the sea).
The tree blew (in the wind).
The tree was blown (by the wind).
etc.
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