Passive voice verb construction

EdwardC1Kwiziq 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
ChrisC1 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"

Edward 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"

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...