When learning English, it’s common to encounter confusion about sentence structure, especially when it comes to the use of verbs in passive constructions. A question was raised about the sentence: ‘I was made wait by Jim for an hour.’ Although it may seem correct at first glance, it actually requires a correction. In this article, we’ll explore why the verb ‘wait’ needs to be changed to ‘to wait’ in this particular sentence.
1. Understanding the Passive Voice Construction
The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer of the action. In passive constructions, the object of an active sentence becomes the subject. For example, in the sentence ‘Jim made me wait for an hour,’ ‘me’ is the object, and ‘Jim’ is the subject. In the passive voice, the sentence becomes ‘I was made to wait by Jim for an hour.’
2. The Role of ‘To’ in Passive Constructions
In English, when a verb follows the word ‘made’ in a passive sentence, it must be followed by the infinitive form of the verb. The verb ‘make’ is a causative verb, and causative verbs in English require the infinitive form of the verb. Therefore, the correct construction is ‘I was made to wait,’ where ‘to wait’ is the infinitive form of the verb ‘wait.’
3. Why ‘I was made wait’ is Incorrect
The sentence ‘I was made wait by Jim for an hour’ is incorrect because it uses the base form of the verb ‘wait’ directly after ‘made,’ which is not grammatically correct in a passive sentence. The correct form requires the verb ‘wait’ to be preceded by ‘to’ — ‘to wait’ — as this is the correct structure for causative verbs in the passive voice.
4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One of the most common mistakes in learning English is using the base form of a verb in passive constructions after causative verbs like ‘make.’ To avoid these mistakes, always remember to check if the verb in the sentence needs the infinitive form. For example, after ‘make’ in the passive voice, you should always use ‘to’ followed by the base form of the verb — ‘to wait,’ ‘to do,’ ‘to go,’ and so on.
5. Summary and Tips for Correct Passive Voice Usage
In summary, when using causative verbs like ‘make’ in passive constructions, the following verb should always be in the infinitive form, which requires the word ‘to.’ Therefore, ‘I was made to wait by Jim for an hour’ is the correct form, not ‘I was made wait.’ Practicing these constructions will help ensure grammatical accuracy in passive voice sentences.
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