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Is there a passive for the sentence "Be quiet."?

English Language & Usage Asked by miracles on May 22, 2021

How to say “Be quiet.”, which is a command, in passive voice?

6 Answers

Only transitive verbs can form passive constructions and be is not a transitive verb.

Correct answer by Barrie England on May 22, 2021

Quiet is a predicate adjective, and almost all predicate adjectives are intransitive. Passive can only apply to a transitive predicate.

Be is an auxiliary verb, required to hold the tense for the predicate adjective; no auxiliary verb ever governs Passive. Indeed, the Passive construction uses be itself.

Answered by John Lawler on May 22, 2021

It seems like "Silence would be appreciated." captures the meaning without being a command.

Answered by DQdlM on May 22, 2021

Try this:

The unruly class was quieted down by the teacher sharply whacking her yardstick on her desk.

Answered by tchrist on May 22, 2021

"Let yourself be quieted" is a command in passive voice. While grammatically correct, it is also extremely convoluted, and sounds awkward.

"Let yourself be quietened" would be another British English variant, but no less awkward.

Answered by Ergwun on May 22, 2021

Be quiet : according to my point of view,this sentence will need verb to request to be into passive otherwise it won't change

Answered by Hafashimana Désiré on May 22, 2021

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