to be + past tense

Question

Hi, If a student writes " I want to be trained by an experienced person" is the verb 'ed' because it's the passive voice or something to do with being a transitive verb?
What is the rule that says the verb must be ed in this case?
Thanks a lot
Q

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

.
Hello, Questioneer-- and welcome to EF.

You are right; it is passive voice., hence the -ed form:

I want to be trained by ...
I was trained by...
I will be trained by...
I have never been trained by...
etc.

Avangi · Answer

Hi, Q75. Welcome to the English Forums!

The basic principle parts of the verb are the infinitive (to train), the present participle (training) and the past participle (trained). These basic parts are used in forming the various tenses, together with help from "auxilliary verbs," in this case "to be."

You might say it's coincidental that "trained" is the past tense and also part of the passive voice.

Yes, it does have something to do with the verb being transitive. (Actually, "to train" may be either transitive or intransitive. "My wife trained me very well." "I went to college and trained to become a teacher.") If the active verb does not take a direct object, it can't be converted to passive voice. The verb "to sleep" is only intransitive. You can't "sleep someone." By the same token, you can't "be slept by someone." That is, it doesn't work in the passive unless it's a transitive verb.

The passive forms use the verb "to be" plus the past participle of the main verb. "To be" changes with the persons and tenses, but the past participle stays the same. (I am trained; they are trained; I was trained; they were trained; I will be trained; they will be trained.)

Best wishes, - A.

Philip · Answer

How curious! When I first read your post (welcome to the boards, by the way), I thought your question was referring to the -ed of experienced. So, my answer about the past participle being used as an adjective has no bearing here. My colleagues have very adequately answered your real question.

CalifJim · Answer

Questioneer75is the verb 'ed' because it's the passive voice or something to do with being a transitive verb?

The form is not the past tense, but the past participle. So with irregular verbs, the ending would not be -ed. For example,
I want to be chosen for the lead part in the play.
I want to be taken to the station by a taxi.
I want to be taught how to drive.
______

Yes. It has to do with the passive voice and with transitive verbs. Only transitive verbs have a passive voice form.
CJ

to be + past tense

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