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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > Need help    

Need help



Maroune
Sri Lanka

Need help
 
Dear friends:
"He adores books  " Can we put this into passive. Books are adored. Sounds strange.
Thanks a lot for your help in advance.  
You �re the best 

23 Feb 2015      





tancredo
Portugal

I think the transformation is right but it actually sounds awkward.
In what situation would you use that sentence?
 
 

23 Feb 2015     



Maroune
Sri Lanka

Thanks a lot Leonor. I found it in an exercise but seems awkward as you have mentioned. Let �s see Native speakers or other colleagues � opinions. Thx again

23 Feb 2015     



douglas
United States

It is correct. It does sound a little awkward as you present it, but is perfectly normal in this case:
 
"In literary circles, books are adored."
 
 
Cheers,
Douglas

23 Feb 2015     



redcamarocruiser
United States

Also normal is "Books are adored by young and old alike".

23 Feb 2015     



Minka
Slovenia

I often find examples in exercises on passive unnatural.
 
The room is cleaned twice a week by him. Books are loved by her. etc 

I find them strange, I wonder if the native speakers agree with me. 

In English, the passive voice is used in many cases I wouldn�t use it in my own language. It sounds much more normal and natural than in Slovene, for example. 

On the other hand it is often considered bad style. I�d really like a comment or two on that, particularly by native speakers.

23 Feb 2015     



cunliffe
United Kingdom

Sometimes people post exercises on turning active sentences into passive and they do seem far-fetched. As in the examples �Books are loved by her � etc... it might be correct but it sounds unnatural. However, the passive is a wonderful tool when used properly. 

23 Feb 2015