羡鱼-Xianyu
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
Why is 'they could be saved so much misery and expense...' not 'they could save so much misery and expense...' in this sentence? If I wrote it, I would choose 'they could save so much misery and expense...'. Is passive voice necessary in here? Or are there any differences between them?
Here is the original passage: My friend fails to mention the long and friendless winter evenings in front of the TV--virtually the only form of entertainment. He says nothing about the poor selection of goods in the shops, or about those unfortunate people who have to travel from the country to the city every day to get to work. Why people are prepared to tolerate a four hour journey each day for the dubious privilege of living in the country is beyond my ken. They could be saved so much misery and expense if they chose to live in the city where they rightly belong. Thanks a lot, in advance.
Here is the original passage: My friend fails to mention the long and friendless winter evenings in front of the TV--virtually the only form of entertainment. He says nothing about the poor selection of goods in the shops, or about those unfortunate people who have to travel from the country to the city every day to get to work. Why people are prepared to tolerate a four hour journey each day for the dubious privilege of living in the country is beyond my ken. They could be saved so much misery and expense if they chose to live in the city where they rightly belong. Thanks a lot, in advance.
