French Grammar in Context

A number of French verbs take both a direct and an indirect object. Only the direct object can

become the subject of a sentence in the passive voice.

e.g. Donner quelque chose à quelqu’un

active voice On a donné un cadeau à l’enfant

passive voice Un cadeau a été donné à l’enfant()

L’enfant a été donné un cadeau ()

The most common of these verbs are:

apprendre quelque chose à quelqu’un to teach sb. sth.

conseiller " " to advise sb. (to do) sth.

défendre " " to forbid sb. sth.

demander " " to ask " "

donner ""to give""

enseigner ""to teach""

montrer " " to show " "

offrir " " to offer " "

pardonner " " to forgive " "

permettre " " to allow " "

prêter " " to lend " "

promettre " " to promise " "

refuser " " to refuse " "

vendre " " to sell " "

3 OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO THE PASSIVE: SE FAIRE, SE LAISSER + INFINITIVE

a On + an active verb

e.g. I was sent a threatening letter > On m’a envoyé une lettre de menaces

b i se voir, s’entendre + infinitive

e.g. Il s’est vu refuser l’entrée du club He was refused entry to the club

Je me suis entendu dire que ce billet était faux I was told this note was forged

ii se faire, se laisser + infinitive

e.g. Il s’est fait attraper He was told off

Je me suis laissé dire qu’elle l’avait quitté I was told she had left him

c An abstract noun is occasionally used in French where a passive construction is used in

English.

e.g. Nous avons vu la démolition du mur de Berlin We saw the Berlin Wall being pulled down

d Impersonal constructions

e.g. Il est strictement interdit de... It is strictly forbidden to...

136 French Grammar in Context