Avoiding Using the Passive Voice

French: AQA A Level, topic 12.7.3

Making it Impersonal

The passive voice is mainly used in literature - it's not used in everyday French. You can avoid using the passive by making the sentence impersonal.

Using 'on'

Using 'on'

'On' is a very common way of making a sentence impersonal.
Cette lettre a été écrite en 1998 $\rightarrow$ On a écrit cette lettre en 1998.
This letter has been written in 1998 $\rightarrow$ This letter was written in 1998.
Le dessert est servi après le plat principal $\rightarrow$ On sert le dessert après le plat principal.
Dessert is served after the main course $\rightarrow$ One serves the dessert after the main course.

Using 'se'

Using 'se'

This is called the passive reflexive. You place a 'se' in front of a verb that is not normally reflexive to show a passive nature.
La pomme est mangée froide $\rightarrow$ La pomme se mange froide.
Apple is eaten cold.
Ce film est souvent vu $\rightarrow$ Ce film se voit souvent.
This film is often watched.

Making it Active

Any passive sentence can become active. All you need to do is reorder the sentence.

$Passive $$\rightarrow$$ active$

Passive $\rightarrow$ active

La nourriture sera mangée par moi $\rightarrow$ Je mangerai la nourriture.
The food will be eaten by me $\rightarrow$ I will eat the food.
Les gâteaux étaient faits par ma mère $\rightarrow$ Ma mère faisait les gâteaux.
The cakes were being made by my mum $\rightarrow$ My mum was making the cakes.

Test yourself on Avoiding Using the Passive Voice

Which of the following sentences are NOT impersonal?
How would you make the following sentence active: 'Les voitures sont lavées par Holly'?

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