Language/French/Grammar/Pronominal-verbs-used-as-passives
Passive pronominal verbs are a type of pronominal verbs used to create a passive voice. They can also be called passive reflective.
In French, pronominal verbs can be used to create a passive voice in sentences. These verbs are called passive pronominal verbs or passive reflective verbs. Understanding the proper use of these verbs is essential for accurate French communication.
In this lesson, we will explore the concept of passive pronominal verbs and provide examples of how they are used in French sentences. We will discuss the common misunderstandings about these verbs and provide tips for using them correctly.
By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of the proper usage of passive pronominal verbs in French and be able to apply this knowledge to your conversations and writing. So let's dive in and learn about this important aspect of French grammar!
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Possessive determiners, Omission of the article, Omission of the article with nouns in apposition & Adverbs ending in —ment derived from the feminine form of an adjective.
Definitions[edit | edit source]
Pronominal Verbs[edit | edit source]
Pronominal verbs ("Les verbes pronominaux" in French), of which there are several categories, are verbs that are constructed with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous) of the same person as the subject.
This pronoun is always placed before the verb.
Active Voice and Passive Voice[edit | edit source]
→ The active voice presents the subject as the agent of the action.
Example:
- Nos amis construisent une maison.
Our friends are building a house.
→ By reversal, the passive voice presents the subject as an agent undergoing the action.
Example:
- Une maison est construite par nos amis.
A house is built by our friends.
Pronominal verbs used as passives[edit | edit source]
Pronominal verbs are increasingly used in the passive voice:
- Les smartphones se vendent comme des petits pains
Smartphones are selling like hot cakes
- Ces verbes se conjuguent avec l'auxiliaire "être"
These verbs are conjugated with the auxiliary "to be"
- La langue française se parle également en Belgique et au Québec
The French language is also spoken in Belgium and Quebec
- Ce matériel s'achète dans les boutiques spécialisées
This equipment can be purchased in specialized stores
- Les titres du NASDAQ se maintiennent à la Bourse de New York
NASDAQ Stocks remain unchanged at the New York Stock Exchange
- Cela ne se fait pas d'agir ainsi dans un restaurant
That is just not done to do that in a restaurant
- Ce Champagne se boit froid
This Champagne is drunk cold
- La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid
Revenge is a meal to be eaten cold
- C'est une revue qui se lit si l'on est concentré
It's a magazine that can be read if you are focused
Other Chapters[edit | edit source]
Videos[edit | edit source]
Learn French Grammar I Pronominal verbs with a passive meaning ...[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- y and en in French where the English translation has no preposition
- Masculine and feminine forms of adjectives — A change in written and spoken French
- Location of adverbs modifying sentences
- Confusions English and French direct object
- Object pronouns in coordinated clauses
- Subject verb agreement — Verb “être”
- Adjectives which normally follow the noun
- Summary table of subject pronouns
- Order of unstressed object pronouns when more than one is present
- Use of il ils and elle elles
- Comparative and superlative forms of adverbs
- Past Tense
- Location of adverbs modifying adjectives, prepositions, noun phrases and other adverbs
- Use of stressed pronouns for emphasis
- Plural indefinite article "des" VS preposition "de" and definite article "les"