a question of passive voice

Hello

When I'd like to ask about the agent of passive voice, can I use both sentences?
Or is "By whome " not used in daily life?

For example:
1) By whom was the cake eaten?
2 Who was the cake eaten by?

Thank you. :)

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by Lina

Hello

When I'd like to ask about the agent of passive voice, can I use both sentences?
Or is "By whome " not used in daily life?

For example:
1) By whom was the cake eaten?
2 Who was the cake eaten by?

Thank you. :)

I would simply expect to hear, "Who ate the cake?"

Passive voice would most likely not be used here in my opinion. It's really not necessary.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Lina

Hello
When I'd like to ask about the agent of passive voice, can I use both sentences? Or is "By whom" not used in daily life?

For example:
1) By whom was the cake eaten?
2 Who was the cake eaten by?

Thank you. :)

I agree with X Mode. :D

The function of the passive is to take focus off the agent, the doer of the action, and emphasize the object. Though, in our example sentence the agent is emphasized:

Passive: Whom was the cake eaten by? (Agent)
Passive: Who was the cake eaten by? (Agent)

There's no need to use the passive to emphasize the agent. Active works best, as X Mode suggests:

Active: Who ate the cake?

By the way, 'by' is a preposition so its object should be 'whom', but some speakers will use 'who':

Passive: The cake was eaten by whom?
Passive: The cake was eaten by who?

All the best, :D

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

I agree with X Mode. :D

The function of the passive is to take focus off the agent, the doer of the action, and emphasize the object. Though, in our example sentence the agent is emphasized:

Passive: Whom was the cake eaten by? (Agent)
Passive: Who was the cake eaten by? (Agent)

There's no need to use the passive to emphasize the agent. Active works best, as X Mode suggests:

Active: Who ate the cake?

By the way, 'by' is a preposition so its object should be 'whom', but some speakers will use 'who':

Passive: The cake was eaten by whom?
Passive: The cake was eaten by who?

All the best, :D

I think many speakers will use "who". I'm one of them.


8) :D :D

But as I said, I wouldn't use passive voice here anyway. So that settles that for me.

:D :) :D

[blacknomi]

I have seen this one. Thanks, Cas and X mode. :D

[Casiopea]

You're welcome. :D