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Voice - Voix

French Verbs

Voice is one of the five inflections involved in conjugating French verbs. It indicates the relationship between the subject and verb.

There are three voices in French:

Active voice The subject performs the action of the verb. This is the most common, "normal" voice.
Je lave la voiture. I'm washing the car.
Il a cassé les assiettes. He broke the plates.
Elle est prof de français. She's a French teacher.
  
Passive voice The action of the verb is performed on the subject by an agent.
La voiture est lavée. The car is (being) washed.
Les assiettes ont été cassées par le chien. The plates were broken by the dog.
Toutes les chemises ont été vendues. All of the shirts were sold.
  
Pronominal (reflexive) The subject performs the action on itself (considerably less common in English)
Je me lave. I'm washing up.
Il s'est cassé la jambe. He broke his leg.
Je n'aime pas me regarder dans la glace. I don't like to look at myself in the mirror.

  

Learn more...

Verb encyclopedia       Grammar glossary

   

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