on and we for passive?

Ozan D.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

on and we for passive?


can I use  "on" instead of  for passive sentences 
for example
on a donné de l'argent  ( money was given to us)
I wish your helps

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Ozan, 

Take a look at this Kwiziq lesson on the passive voice and in particular when you cannot use it in French.

https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/glossary/voice/la-voix-passive-passive-voice

The verbs 'donner' and 'offrir' are not used as in English 'we were given'  and you would have to say -

On nous a offert/donné  un ordinateur We have been given a computer 

but you could say-

Un ordinateur nous a été donné A computer was given to us 

Hope this helps!

 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Yes, you can (note, however, that you need the proper form of être to form the passive voice):

On a été donnés de l'argent. -- We were given money.

However, I suspect that this construction may sound a bit stilted to French ears. One would probably avoid the passive construction at all and say: on nous a donné de l'argent.

on and we for passive?


can I use  "on" instead of  for passive sentences 
for example
on a donné de l'argent  ( money was given to us)
I wish your helps

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...