Ⅲ Active form expresses passive meaning
In English, the active form of some transitive verbs usually expresses active meaning. But its model is “V / Doing”.
3.1. The following verbs, such as: want, need, require, deserve, etc / doing express passive meaning.
For examples:
My room wants whitewashing.
He deserved punishing.
This problem requires discussing.
Our classroom needs cleaning.
3.2. In the following model “have/get…done”, the active form expresses passive meaning.
For examples:
I have my hair cut.
You have to make yourself understood.
Dad had me called a doctor.
He has his shirts cleaned at the dry-cleaners.
3.3. Some transitive verbs like: read, write, open, shut, fill, cook, drive, lock, cut, iron, feel, sell, wash, etc. When they are used as intransitive verbs in sentences, their active form expresses passive meaning. The subjects refer to things.
For examples:
The stone moved.
Social customs changed.
The door won’t shut.
There are some other conditions that the active form expresses passive meaning.
3.3.1. When they are used in adverbial which expresses mode of behavior, the active form expresses passive meaning.
For examples:
The bridge has washed out.
Television sets sell very well.
3.3.2. When they are used in modals, the active form expresses passive meaning.
For examples:
The box won’t lock.
The book would not translate well.
3.4. The continuous tense of verbs can express passive meaning.
(1) The potatoes are cooling.
(2) The meat is cooking.
(3) The film is showing there.
(4) The books are printing. Ⅳ Passive form expresses active meaning
In English, some transitive verbs are only used in passive voice, but aren’t used in active voice, such as: dress, shave, locate, situate, excite, satisfy, determine, doom, born, etc.
For examples:
Our college is situated in the suburbs.
The house is located near the lake.
She dressed in red.
He was freshly shaven.
He is satisfied with my work.
I was so excited that I couldn’t say a word.
They are determined to fulfill their task ahead of time.
The plan was doomed to failure.
The flowers are faded
I was born in 1980.
ⅤVoice transformation constraints
As we all know, voice transformation can be used to express two forms:
Active voice: Executor / V / O
Passive voice: Taker / be / v-ed (by executor)
For examples:
John teaches Mary.
Mary is taught by John.
In practice, the transformation between the active and the passive is complicated. They are constrained by lexical, semantic and situation.
5.1. Lexical-constraints
5.1.1. As we all know that the active voice of transitive verbs can be transformed into passive voice. But there are some transitive verbs can’t be used in passive sentences. Transitive verbs which express condition, sentiment and understanding, etc, are usually used in active voice, such as: love、 hate、wish、 own、suit、 fit、cost 、 lack 、want、 last 、 resemble 、 suffice, etc.
For examples:
All the young men like him, but the boss hate him.
I have a dictionary.
Anytime will suit me.
He lacks confidence.
The war lasted eight years. 1 ，法语毕业论文，法语论文 |
