Avoiding the Passive

French: AQA GCSE (2025 Exams), topic 6.1.5

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.

Test yourself on Avoiding the Passive

Which of the following sentences are NOT impersonal?

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