How French works
As has been mentioned in 10:3, when transforming an active sentence into a passive one in French, the direct object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence, and the subject of the active sentence becomes the agent of the passive sentence preceded by the word par (or sometimes de). The passive verb is formed by replacing the active verb with être used in the same tense as the active verb, plus the past participle of the active verb:
The preposition used with the passive is usually par. However, sometimes de is used:
After certain descriptive verbs such as couvrir, entourer, composer, remplir etc. where the agent is usually inanimate and where English would often use with or of:
Le toit était couvert de neige
The roof was covered in snow
After certain verbs expressing judgement, such as aimer, adorer, craindre, redouter etc.:
Cet homme est admiré de tout ceux qui le connaissent
This man is admired by all who know him
En recevant les nouvelles, il a été saisi de peur
When he received the news, he was filled with fear
It is important to remember that in French only the direct object in an active sentence may be transformed into the subject of a passive sentence. This is not the same as in English. For example, in English the active sentence Anne gave Paul a book can be transformed into the passive sentence Paul was given a book by Anne, even though in the active sentence Paul is the indirect object of the verb gave.
In French the equivalent active sentence Anne a donné un livre à Paul cannot be transformed into the passive sentence *Paul a été donné un livre par Anne. In this situation French either retains the active voice or, where there is no agent, uses on: On a donné un livre à Paul. Other verbs which can lead to this sort of confusion include:
For example:
I was advised to take a few days off work
On m'a conseillé de prendre quelques jours de repos
[and not * J'étais conseillé...]
I was advised by the doctor to take a few days off work
Le médecin m'a conseillé de prendre quelques jours de repos
[and not * J'étais conseillé par le médecin...]
An on construction is often preferred to the passive in French where there is no agent:
Lorsqu'on a annoncé la nouvelle, il y a eu de vives acclamations
When the news was announced, there were great cheers
On ne sait pas quand le temps s'améliorera
It isn't known when the weather will get better
A pronominal verb is often used in French where English would use a passive. This can happen where the clause expresses a general state of affairs rather than a specific action:
Leurs produits se vendent partout dans le monde
Their products are sold through the world
Ce médicament ne s'achète pas sans ordonnance
This medicine cannot be bought without a prescription
Ce vin se boit frais
This wine is drunk chilled
Le français se parle dans plusieurs pays dans le monde
French is spoken in several countries in the world
These can be used with an infinitive to create the sense of a passive:
Pierre s'est fait punir pour son erreur
Pierre was punished for his mistake
Marie s'est laissé convaincre par le représentant
Marie was persuaded by the salesman
Il s'est vu refuser un visa d'entrée
He was refused an entry visa
This is often used with the sense of "having something done to something". Here it is the object rather than the subject that undergoes the action of the head verb :
Nous avons fait nettoyer la maison avant d'emménager
We had the house cleaned before moving in
This construction can be used reflexively to create a sense of se faire that is more active than that mentioned in section 3.2 above:
Je me suis fait couper les cheveux
I had my hair cut
Some verbs taking an indirect object can be used in the passive with the impersonal pronoun il, giving a sense that is equivalent to on plus an active verb. The impersonal nature of this construction is such that it is mainly used in adminstrative and legal contexts:
Il est recommandé aux passagers d'arriver deux heures avant l'heure de départ
[ = On recommande aux passagers de ...]
Passengers are advised to arrive two hours before the departure time
Il sera mis fin à de telles activités
[ =On mettra fin à ...]
Such activities will be brought to an end