Le pronom « On » pour éviter la voix passive. FSF4U
Active vs. Passive Voice is a grammatical term which indicates the relationship between a subject and verb. There are three different voices in French and English. In the passive voice, the action described by the verb is being done to the subject by an agent, which is usually introduced by one of two prepositions:
Active vs. Passive Active voice David fait le ménage. David is doing the housework. Passive voice Le ménage est fait par David. The housework is done by David. Active voice Lise lit le livre. Lise is reading the book. Passive voice Le livre est lu par Lise. The book is read by Lise.
Active vs. Passive Active voice Tout le monde le respecte. Everyone respects him. Passive voice Il est respecté de tout le monde. He is respected by everyone. Il est éminemment respecté. He is highly respected. Active voice Mes amis aiment ma mère. My friends love my mother. Passive voice Ma mère est aimée de mes amis. My mother is loved by my friends.
Voix Passive The French passive voice may be used for two reasons: A) To put more emphasis on the person or thing performing the action: Active: Un enfant a écrit ce livre. - A child wrote this book. Passive: Ce livre a été écrit par un enfant. - This book was written by a child. B) To focus on an action without identifying the performer: Jean a écrit ce livre.- Jean wrote this book. Vs Il a été écrit en 1927. - It was written in 1927.
Avoiding the passive voice The French passive voice has a slightly formal or literary tone and is used less frequently than in English. There are several alternatives to the passive voice (besides the active voice):
Avoiding the passive voice A) To focus on the performer, use c'est: Ce livre a été écrit par un enfant. > C'est un enfant qui a écrit ce livre. This book was written by a child. > It's a child who wrote this book. B) To avoid identifying the performer, there are two options: *1. On (impersonal subject pronoun)* Ce livre a été écrit en 1927. > On a écrit ce livre en 1927. This book was written in 1927. Ils ont été pardonnés. > On les a pardonnés. They have been excused. 2. Se (passive reflexive) Ce livre est souvent lu. > Ce livre se lit souvent. This book is often read.
« On » On is the indefinite pronoun and literally means "one." It's often equivalent to the English passive voice. On ne devrait pas poser cette question. One shouldn't ask that question. On demande : caissier. Cashier wanted. On ne dit pas ça. That isn't said. Ici on parle français. French is spoken here. In addition, on is an informal replacement for "we," "you," "they," "someone," or "people in general."
Practice Utilise les groupes de mots suivantes et crée des phrases logique à la voix active en commençant par “on”. Mets le verbe au passé composé. Ajoute d’autres mots si nécessaire. Ex: Des photos originales/crée / ordinateur On a crée des photos originales avec l’ordinateur. Le participation des femmes à l’École des Beaux-arts/permettre/1889 Le grand opéra / composer / 19e siècle. Les pièces de Shakespeare/présenter/théâtre Globe. Les efforts de Nelligan / ridiculiser. Les vers de Paul Claudel / lire / classes de littérature.