In this article, we explore why the sentence ‘We are said that there’ll be no school tomorrow’ is grammatically incorrect and how to correctly express the intended meaning. Let’s break down the issues surrounding the verb ‘say’ and its usage in the passive voice.
The Issue with ‘Say’ and Its Object Structure
The main issue with the sentence lies in the verb ‘say’. In English, ‘say’ typically requires two objects when used in a direct statement: one for the speaker (e.g., ‘He says that…’) and one for the content of the speech. However, the structure in the original sentence, ‘We are said that…’, is incorrect because ‘say’ does not directly take a clause like this when used in the passive voice.
Why the Passive Voice Doesn’t Work in This Case
In passive constructions, ‘say’ is often used in the form ‘It is said that…’. This structure allows the subject (‘It’) to receive the action. However, in ‘We are said that…’, ‘We’ is wrongly placed as the subject of the passive verb, creating an awkward and incorrect sentence. In short, ‘We’ cannot be the subject of the verb ‘say’ in this context.
Correct Usage of ‘Say’ in the Passive Voice
To express the idea correctly, we can change the structure to the passive form ‘It is said that…’. For example: ‘It is said that there’ll be no school tomorrow.’ This sentence is grammatically correct and properly conveys the intended meaning, while maintaining the passive voice structure.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many learners of English struggle with the use of passive voice with verbs like ‘say’. To avoid common mistakes, remember that when converting sentences with ‘say’ into the passive voice, the structure must allow for the proper subject and object placement. The sentence must also convey the correct flow of information. In this case, ‘It is said’ correctly introduces the subject of the sentence, while keeping the information about the school cancellation clear.
Conclusion
In summary, ‘We are said that there’ll be no school tomorrow’ is incorrect due to improper use of the passive voice and the verb ‘say’. The correct construction should be ‘It is said that there’ll be no school tomorrow’. Understanding how to properly use passive voice with ‘say’ is crucial for clear and grammatically correct English.
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