Passive voice verb construction

E. P.C1Kwiziq community member

Passive voice verb construction

"Hi, "Les étudiants ont été accueillis par le directeur ce matin." Why not:- "Les étudiants étaient accueillis par le directeur ce matin." I've been pondering why the first is correct but the second verb construction isn't. I realise the Kwiziq sentence is presented in a passive voice but it seems to me to be saying "they had been welcomes by the director this morning" rather than "were welcomes". Any guidance gratefully accepted, Edward"

Asked 3 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Les étudiants ont été accueillis = passé composé, passive voice: "were welcomed"
Les étudiants étaient accueillis = imperfect, passive voice.

If you want to take this one step further:

Les étudiants avaient été accueillis = past perfect, passive voice: "had been welcomed"

E. P. asked:View original

Passive voice verb construction

"Hi, "Les étudiants ont été accueillis par le directeur ce matin." Why not:- "Les étudiants étaient accueillis par le directeur ce matin." I've been pondering why the first is correct but the second verb construction isn't. I realise the Kwiziq sentence is presented in a passive voice but it seems to me to be saying "they had been welcomes by the director this morning" rather than "were welcomes". Any guidance gratefully accepted, Edward"

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