[Grammar] successful breeding can be achieved

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Osya Bender

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Given is used when indicating a possible situation in which someone has the opportunity or ability to do something. For example, given the chance means `if I had the chance'.
Given patience, successful breeding of this species can be achieved.
(Collins Cobuild dictionary)

It seems that there is not the subject in the sentence. Who is "given patience"? Who can achieve successful breeding of this species?
Is that correct sentence?

Thank you.
 

MikeNewYork

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The sentence is fine. In this case "given patience" refers to the sire and the dam or the breeder who is orchestrating the breeding..
 

Osya Bender

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The sentence is fine. In this case "given patience" refers to the sire and the dam or the breeder who is orchestrating the breeding..
But I'm still doubting... I can't think about anybody except the breeder. Because only a breeder can be trying to achieve successful breeding of a species (not an animal). And only a breeder can be "given patient", right? If so, there is still no subject in the sentence because of the passive in both parts of the sentence.
Am I wrong?
 
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MikeNewYork

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In the original sentence, "breeding" is the subject.
 

Osya Bender

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In the original sentence, "breeding" is the subject.
I wanted to say - there is no performer of the action :).
If the sentence were just
"Successful breeding of this species can be achieved".
- it would be grammatically understandable to me.
or
Given patience, one can achieve successful breeding of this species
But Given patience, successful breeding of this species can be achieved. sounds like it's not clear who Given patience refers to.
 

emsr2d2

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Sometimes, who it refers to isn't actually given but the context will tell you. In your example, it's general patience by the people involved in the breeding of that particular species. I would prefer "Given time, successful breeding of this species can be achieved" but using "Given patience" is almost a hidden instruction to people involved in the breeding not to be impatient - it's going to take a while. I'm not saying it's wrong, but I would have said "Given time" or "With patience".
 
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