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Pcgamebeer Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

was/were + v2 + to V1

Hi there
I was reading a book. not matter what about it.
I saw a sentence, cant explain it used which means. Can you help me?

"I was told to change trains at Dumfiers."
we can see this is not passive voice or something like that.
Is there any mistake in this?
Thanks.
  

Top answer

pcgamebeer passive voice Yes, it's passive. Somebody told me [ to do something] is active. I was told (by somebody) [to do something] is passive.

— CalifJim

  • pcgamebeer passive voice Yes, it's passive.
  • Somebody told me [ to do something] is active.
  • I was told (by somebody) [to do something] is passive.
  • In the examples above, "somebody" is called the agent.
  • In your example, the agent is omitted.
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3 Answers
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pcgamebeer passive voice
Yes, it's passive.

Somebody told me [ to do something] is active.
I was told (by somebody) [to do something] is passive.

In the examples above, "somebody" is called the agent. In your example, the agent is omitted. It doesn't say who you were told by. But it's still passive even if you leav
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But may I ask is it (perfect) or (prograssive) aspect?

Because I readed these two types of aspects only.

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That's correct. 'I was told' is passive.

eg "I was told (by my friend) to change trains at Dumfiers."

"I was told to change trains at Dumfiers."

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