Why French hates the passive voice

Un secret pour mieux parler français

Today, I am presenting my final article in English that explains rarely discussed grammar points in French. After this, I will be transitioning to a different format.

There are now over 50 articles in this section, accessible to my members. This is a wealth of information to take your French to the next level!

Why French hates the passive voice

The passive voice is a point of contention in English grammar. In theory, you shouldn’t use it too much. In practice, it’s used extensively in conversation!

Although the passive voice is used in French, it’s much less common than in spoken English, and we prefer to avoid it.

It’s not a rule set in stone, but it’s a tendency.

The passive voice is when a construction where the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action, rather than the doer.

For example

• Active voice: The chef cooked the meal.

• Passive voice: The meal was cooked by the chef.

In French, the passive voice is often omitted when speaking. Which means that direct translations from English often don’t work.

After my competition was over

• When the competition was over, I went back home

  À la fin de la compétition, je suis retourné chez moi

Instead of saying when the competition was over, we say at the end of my competition.

Mistakes were made

• Mistakes were made

  On a fait des erreurs

Here, we could ask the question: who made the mistakes? By using the passive voice, the English language avoids finding a culprit!

We can do the same in French by using the pronoun on, which in this example, doesn’t mean “we,” but rather some people.

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• All mistakes have been fixed

  Nous avons remédié à la situation

The passive voice might be used to avoid naming people, but in French, it would be natural to say nous, which wouldn’t name anyone, but include the entire team of people who rectified the mistakes.

It’s being repaired

• My computer is being repaired at the moment

  Mon ordinateur est en réparation en ce moment

Instead of saying being repaired, we say that the computer is in repair. A noun is used instead of the passive voice.

Applications must be received

• Applications must be received before the end of the year

  Vous devez envoyer vos demandes avant la fin de l’année

Again, instead of using the passive voice, we’re turning the sentence around and address the people who must send their applications. You must send your applications.

Plows should be kept in the garage

• Plows should not be kept in the garage

  Il ne faut pas garder les charrues dans le garage

Instead of using the passive voice, we simply say il faut (it’s necessary to, or you need to.)

What to remember

In many cases, when you find yourself unable to say something in French, one way to find the right words is to turn the passive voice into the active voice.

🌟 Super Important Exercise 🌟

Practice with this exercice by translating into French without using the passive voice.

1. The keys should never be forgotten in the ignition.

2. All issues have been resolved.

3. Your order is being processed.

4. When the concert ended, I went back home.

5. I was told you weren't coming.

6. We weren't properly informed.

7. The reservation must be confirmed prior to the event date.

8. They were not reimbursed by the bank.

9. The thieves were arrested.

10. To improve my French, I like to be corrected.

Answers

1. Il ne faut jamais oublier les clés sur le contact.

2. Nous avons résolu tous les problèmes.

3. Nous traitons votre commande.

4. À la fin du concert, je suis rentré chez moi

5. On m'a dit que tu ne venais pas.

6. On ne nous a pas bien renseignés.

7. Il faut confirmer la réservation avant la date de l'événement.

8. La banque ne les a pas remboursés.

9. On a arrêté les voleurs.

10. Pour améliorer mon français, j’aime qu’on me corrige