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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Past Simple Passive
Past Simple Passive
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GIOVANNI
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Past Simple Passive
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Would you consider this to be Simple Past Passive and why?
I tried to make coffee, but the coffee machine was broken. |
14 Sep 2010
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imelda
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I think that it isnt passive voice because broken is being used as an adjective not as a verb. |
14 Sep 2010
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Zora
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I �d have to say yes, because you "could" rewrite the sentence like this: (although it sounds slightly weird).
I tried to make coffee, but somebody broke the coffee machine (earlier).
Although, truthfully I �d say that "broken" is acting more like an adjective here.
"I tried to make coffee since the coffee machine is new."
"I tried to make coffee but the coffee machine was old and not working."
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14 Sep 2010
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yanogator
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I �m going to disagree with you, Linda. Since somebody broke it earlier, we �d use the past perfect: "I tried to make coffee, but somebody had broken the coffee machine".
I definitely agree with your last part, though, and with imelda. "Broken" is being used as an adjective.
Bruce |
14 Sep 2010
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GIOVANNI
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Thanks for your answers. I would also tend to think it is being used as an adjective, but I was wondering if it could be used as passive in any way. |
14 Sep 2010
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hdefined
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You would never use it as a passive verb in this instance, although if you really wanted a passive verb, you could say:
"I tried to make coffee, but the coffee machine had been smashed to bits." |
15 Sep 2010
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