verbs problem

Question

Why the following verbs use in this voice?will commence (Active), (cannot use in passive)will proceed     (Active), (cannot use in passive)

Crux_online · Accepted Answer

Ben9108Why the following verbs use in this voice?

will commence (Active), (cannot use in passive)

will proceed (Active), (cannot use in passive)

Good question. Commence can be used in the passive voice, though it sounds awkward to me.

When put into a passive voice, the subject of the active verb becomes the implied object of the passive verb. Intransitive verbs are not put into the passive voice. Care must be taken here because some verbs can be either transitive or intransitive.

Example:
ACTIVE: The parade will proceed down Main Street.
PASSIVE: The parade will be proceeded (by what/whom?) down Main Street.

The passive voice does not work here because another 'doer' is implied, but proceed is always intransitive.

ACTIVE: Grass grows indoors.
PASSIVE: Grass was grown indoors (by someone).

Here the passive version works because 'to grow' can be transitive or intransitive.

Just remember that the passive voice can only be used on transitive verbs.

Reply with questions if you have them!

C

Ben9108 · Answer

Thank You So Much

I totally understood.

verbs problem

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