passive voice and active voice 受動態と能動態

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Mar 8, 2011 18:54
Hi! I answered questions on my English textbook.
Please check them.
The questions focus on voice.


1.In Japan, people avoid expressing object directly. In the West, it is common that silence means agreement.
日本では反対をむき出しにしない。欧米では、沈黙は賛成と見なすのが通り相場である。

2.Because of the crowd in the bus, I couldn't find an empty seat.
バスが混んでいて 私は空いた席を見つけることができなかった。
Thank you for your correction!
Mar 8, 2011 19:36
  • I answered questions on my English textbook.

  • I answered questions on from my English textbook.

 
  • In Japan, people avoid expressing object directly.

  • In Japan, people avoid expressing object opposition (or "objections") directly.

 

Hmm, these sentences are supposed to focus on voice? While the translations seem correct to me, they are all in active voice. Do you need passive voice as well? If so, I would write them like this:
(1) In Japan, objections are not directly expressed. In the West, agreement is customarily indicated with silence.
(2) Because the bus was crowded, an empty seat could not be found. [or "~, I couldn't find an empty seat." as you have]

In (2), the way you have the second half sounds fine but is still active voice. It sounds odd to me trying to make it passive, but making the first half of the sentence passive still sounds fine.

Passive voice means the subject is not acting, but instead the subject is described as receiving an action or state through "be + past participle." I hope that helps.

Mar 8, 2011 20:13 Nana
Thank you so muce! I understand better.
I didn't find not to have used passive voice! lol
Because I once heard active voice is more general for native English speakers, I've tried to use active voice. Is that true?

Mar 8, 2011 20:18
It is considered better style to use active voice when possible, yes, but passive voice isn't incorrect. Sometimes avoiding passive voice is difficult when the actor is unknown. As you know, English can't omit the subject of a sentence the way Japanese can.

Mar 8, 2011 20:37 Nana
I see. I find it difficult to translate Japanese into English, because sometimes subject isn't know.
It's very good for me to know that! You really answerd with grat care. Thank you!
borrrden
Mar 11, 2011 10:36

What is the actual question? o,0

Mar 18, 2011 23:24 Nana
I'm sorry for the late reply, I couldn't answer because of the huge earthquake. You live in Japan, don't you? Are you okay?

Well, the textbook wants me to use two type of voice, but I didn't pay attention to that.
I don't have any questions about passive voice and active voice now, I just wanted someone to correct my sentences.
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Hi! I answered questions on my English textbook. Please check them. The questions focus on voice. 1.In Japan, people avoid expressing object directly. In the West, it is common that silence means agreement. 日本では反対をむき出しにしない。欧米では、沈黙は賛成と見


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