Avoiding The Passive

French: KS3, topic 14.6.5

Making it Impersonal

The passive voice is mainly used in literature, it is 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 ecrite en 1998 $\rightarrow$ On a écrit cette lettre en 1998.
This letter had 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 froid.
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?

Practise this topic for free