6.1.4

Imperfect Passive Voice

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Imperfect Passive Voice

To form the imperfect passive, use the imperfect tense of 'être' followed by a past participle. The passive is usually only used in the 'il/elle' and the 'ils/elles' forms.

Illustrative background for Step 1 - imperfect tense of 'etre'Illustrative background for Step 1 - imperfect tense of 'etre' ?? "content

Step 1 - imperfect tense of 'etre'

  • J'étais - I was/used to be.
  • Tu étais - you (singular) were/used to be.
  • Il/elle/on était - he/she/one was/used to be.
  • Nous étions - we were/used to be.
  • Vous étiez - you (plural/formal) were/used to be.
  • Ils/elles étaient - they were/used to be.
Illustrative background for Step 2 - add past participleIllustrative background for Step 2 - add past participle ?? "content

Step 2 - add past participle

  • Le devoir était fait - the homework was being done.
  • La plage était appréciée - the beach used to be well-liked.
  • Les tartes étaient faites - the tartes were being made.
  • Les lettres étaient écrites - the letters were being written.
Illustrative background for Examples of passive sentencesIllustrative background for Examples of passive sentences ?? "content

Examples of passive sentences

  • James Bond était joué par Sean Connery.
    • James Bond was being played by Sean Connery.
  • La viande était cuisinée par mon père.
    • The meat was being cooked by my dad.
  • Les tartes étaient détesté de tout le monde
    • The tarts were being hated by everyone.
  • Les gateaux étaient préparés par lui.
    • The cakes were being prepared by him.

Imperfect Passive Voice

To form the passive, use the imperfect tense of 'être' followed by a past participle. The passive is usually only used in the 'il/elle' and the 'ils/elles' forms.

Illustrative background for 1) Imperfect tense of 'être'Illustrative background for 1) Imperfect tense of 'être' ?? "content

1) Imperfect tense of 'être'

  • J'étais - I was/used to be.
  • Tu étais - you were/used to be.
  • Il/elle/on était - he/she/one was/used to be.
  • Nous étions - we were/used to be.
  • Vous étiez - you were/used to be.
  • Ils/elles étaient - they were/used to be.
Illustrative background for 2) Add past participleIllustrative background for 2) Add past participle ?? "content

2) Add past participle

  • Le devoir était fait - the homework was being done.
  • La plage était appréciée - the beach used to be well-liked.
  • Les tartes étaient faites - the tarts were being made.
  • Les lettres étaient écrites - the letters were being written.
Illustrative background for Examples of passive sentencesIllustrative background for Examples of passive sentences ?? "content

Examples of passive sentences

  • James Bond était inteprété par Sean Connery.
    • James Bond was being played by Sean Connery.
  • La viande était cuisinée par mon père.
    • The meat was being cooked by my dad.
  • Les tartes étaient détestées de tout le monde
    • The tarts were being hated by everyone.
  • Les gâteaux étaient préparés par lui.
    • The cakes were being prepared by him.

Jump to other topics

1Identity & Culture

2Areas of Interest

3Study & Employment

4Common Tenses

4.1Present Tense

4.2Perfect Tense

4.3Imperfect Tense

4.4Imperfect vs Perfect

4.5Future Tense

5Advanced Tenses

6Extra Grammar

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