4 Ways to Use the Passive Voice in Italian

4 Ways to Use the Passive Voice in Italian In a sea of grammar to learn, you might be wondering, â€Å"What is the passive voice (la forma passiva), and why do I have to learn it?† Not sure what we  mean by active vs. passive voice? Active Voice: She rented a room in Bologna.Passive Voice: The room in Bologna was rented by her. In the active voice, it’s very clear who is doing the action, while in the passive, the subject is often cut out, leaving you to ask the question â€Å"by whom (was this action completed)? When is the passive voice typically used? Overall, it’s used when the action is more important than who is doing the action. Criticize the way something was done without blaming someone for itGive the facts of a situation or a story, typically in the newsOutline the way that something is done, like with guidelines, rules, or procedures Now that you’re familiar with the types of situations you would use it in, here are the four formulas. FORMULA #1: Si verb (conjugated in 3rd person singular/plural) Non si possono imparare quattro lingue allo stesso tempo. - One cannot learn four languages at the same time.Sà ¬, infatti, qua si vendono i supplà ¬. - Yes, in fact, here supplà ¬ is sold.Come ci si iscrive all’unversit all’estero? - How does one enroll in a foreign university?È pià ¹ importante quello che si fa o quello che si pensa? - What is more relevant, what one thinks or what one does? In this formula, you take the passive particle â€Å"si† (not to be confused with the pronoun â€Å"si†) and follow it with a verb that’s been conjugated in either the 3rd person singular or plural. FORMULA #2: Essere Past participle Tense: Il presente indicativo ACTIVE: Scrivo un articolo su come si usa la forma passiva.PASSIVE: L’ articolo su come si usa la forma passiva à ¨ scritto da me. Tense: Il passato prossimo Active: La mamma ha regalato un libro al bambino.Passive: Il libro à ¨ stato regalato al bambino dalla mamma. Tense: Il futuro Active: Giulio porter la torta.  Passive: La torta sar portata da Giulio. Tense: L’imperfetto ActiveLei preparava la cena.Passive: La cena era preparata da lei. FORMULA #3: Venire Past participle La scuola viene raccomandata da tutti gli studenti. - The school is recommended by all of the students.Questo libro verr utilizzato come prova nel processo. - This book will be used as evidence in the trial.Luca viene accompagnato a scuola tutti i giorni dalla nonna. – Luca is accompanied to school every day by his grandma. Also, you’ll see this particular construction more often in formal situations, like legal proceedings or when discussing politics and finances. FORMULA #4: Dovere/Potere/Volere/Andare Past participle Dovere - To must, to have to   I pomodori devono essere piantati prima che la primavera abbia inizio. - Tomatoes should be planted before spring begins.Le preposizioni devono essere studiate accuratamente. - Prepositions must be studied very carefully.Il pagamento dovr essere effettuato entro il 31 dicembre. - The payment will have to be made before December 31st. Potere:  To be able to Questo obiettivo potr essere raggiunto soltanto attraverso una serie di compiti specifici. - This goal will only be reached through a series of specific tasks.La carne puà ² essere cucinata sul fornello o al forno. - The meat can be cooked on the stove or in the oven. Volere: To want Il bambino à ¨ stato fortemente voluto dai genitori. - The newborn has been strongly desired by the parents.L’osservanza della legge à ¨ voluta dal governo. - Law observance is required by the government. Andare: To go   In questo corso, i compiti vanno completati ogni giorno. - In this course, the homework must be completed each day.Il modulo va firmato. - The form must be signed.