[Grammar] What's "I want to buy a watch for John." in the passive voice?

[Mike MC]

How would you change the following sentence into the passive voice:

I want to buy a watch for John.

 

[emsr2d2]

I wouldn't even try. The result would be unnatural and never uttered by a native speaker. It's a pointless exercise. In fact, I can't even see how it would be possible.

 

[Mike MC]

I wouldn't even try. The result would be unnatural and never uttered by a native speaker. It's a pointless exercise. In fact, I can't even see how it would be possible.

That's weird! Both want and buy are transitive, but the sentence can't be changed into the passive voice. :-o

 

[emsr2d2]

Well, we always ask users to make their own attempt first so please go ahead and give it a try. We'll comment on the result.

 

[Mike MC]

Well, we always ask users to make their own attempt first so please go ahead and give it a try. We'll comment on the result.

Mm, how about:

I want a watch to be bought for John.

 

[Rover_KE]

That doesn't tell us that it's you who wants to buy it.

 

[Mike MC]

That doesn't tell us that it's you who wants to buy it.

What if we restructure the original sentence. For example:

A watch is meant to be bought for John.

Does it seem natural?

 

[Rover_KE]

No, it doesn't.

And post #6 still applies.