Unit 5.2
Passive Voice Verbs with To-Infinitive + Object
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Introduction
Passive form is used to express the idea of something or someone receiving an action or experiencing a particular event or effect.
After passive verbs, we could find the to-infinitive + object structure.
Form
Sometimes we find the to-infinitive + object structure after the passive form.
This structure has this formula:
Subject + passive verb (of saying) + to + verb + object…
We usually find verbs of saying before the to-infinitive structures.
Verbs of saying are: advise, agree, ask, encourage, expect, invite, order, persuade, promise, refuse, remind, say, tell, warn…
Example
- I am asked to deliver a private letter.
- You are encouraged to have a therapeutic massage for your backache.
- The editor of the newspaper is persuaded by them to write an article about communication.
- We are reminded to use dental floss everyday.
- They are asked to make a comment about the topic.
Use
We use the to-infinitive + object with passive forms to focus the attention on the subject, and not on the agent.
We use it also to create a more complex sentence in terms of syntax.
Summary
After passive verbs, we could find the to-infinitive + object structure. This structure makes us focus on the subject, and not on the agent.
We usually find it after verbs of saying, such as: advise, agree, ask, encourage, expect, invite, order, persuade, promise, refuse, remind, say, tell, warn…
In a sentence it is formed like this: we start with the subject of the sentence, followed by the the passive form of a verb (of saying), the preposition to, the base form of a verb and by an object.
For example:
— “The boy was refused to go to the bathroom during the class.” = After the verb of saying was refused we place to and the verb go in its base form, to emphasise on the subject the boy.
— “She was advised to wear a coat before going out.” = After the verb of saying was advised we place to and the verb wear in its base form, to focus on the subject she.
♦ “They advised (that) she wear a coat before going out.” = When the verb advise and other recommendation verbs are in the active voice, they are followed by a non-obligatory that-clause and a subjunctive.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
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