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passive

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈpæsɪv/

passive means: Accepting what happens without trying to change it or do anything yourself.

adjective

NOT TAKING ACTIONB2

Accepting what happens without trying to change it or do anything yourself.

  • She remained passive during the argument.
  • Watching television can be a passive activity.
  • Why do they take such a passive role in these meetings?

Similar words: inactive, unresponsive

Opposites: active

Common phrases: passive role, remain passive, passive observer, passive attitude

GRAMMAR FORMB1

In grammar, describing a sentence whose subject receives the action instead of doing it.

  • This sentence is passive.
  • We learned about passive verbs today.
  • Can you change that clause into the passive voice?

Opposites: active

Common phrases: passive voice, passive clause, passive verb, passive construction

Questions about passive

What does passive mean?

Accepting what happens without trying to change it or do anything yourself.

What is passive in other languages?

Türkçe: pasif · Español: pasivo · Français: passif · Deutsch: passiv · Italiano: passivo · 日本語: 受け身の

How do you pronounce passive?

It is pronounced /ˈpæsɪv/.

How do you use passive in a sentence?

She remained passive during the argument. Watching television can be a passive activity.

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Phrases with passive

passive in other languages

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