Quote:
Originally Posted by cabledetached  1. By your example: The eggs must be broken <passive> to make an omelet <active>
What makes the adverbial phrase active? I see no agent. Is it simply that the verb precedes the object? |
Active in that the underlying subject, which is covert, is the doer. Here's an alternative example that shows the doer of the verb:
The eggs must be broken so that
we can make an omelet.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by cabledetached 2. Speaking of the agentless passive, are there any instances in which the use of non-parallel constructions is preferred or even required?
For example: Native Americans were systematically displaced <passive> to make room for white settlers. <active>
This sentence seems perfectly fine to me, even though the constructions are not parallel. |
Agreed. In other words, the
semantic subjects are different:
Native Americans were systematically displaced (by
the US government) in order that
room/space could be made available] for white settlers.
Consider now,
The CD had to be listened to (by us) to make sure it worked (by us). <
awkward>
How does that sit with you so far?
