Language/French/Grammar/on-as-an-alternative-to-the-English-passive

on as an alternative to the English passive

A construction with on can often be used where a passive is used in English:

• On croyait la crise du logement définitivement réglée

The housing shortage was definitely thought to be over

• On ne soupçonne guère le véritable rôle économique joué par les enfants

The real economic role that children play is thoroughly underestimated

• On sait qu'il a eu des démêlés avec la police, mais on ne sait pas pourquoi

It is well known that he was once in trouble with the police, but it is not known why

Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Possessive determiners, Omission of the article, Adjectives & Verb forms — Introduction.

Other Lessons

• Typical use of the indefinite article
• Easy way of generating the present subjunctive
• Feminine Form
• Superlative forms of adjectives
• Adjectives preceded by de
• How to write and read numbers
• Position of more than one object pronoun with faire etc. + infinitive
• Reflexive pronouns
• Plural of words in "Al"
• Indirectly transitive verbs
• Order of unstressed object pronouns when more than one is present
• Impersonal verbs
• Grammatical and real number
• "de" when an adjective precedes the noun
• Agreement of past participles with preceding direct objects in questions