Is it okay to say "They are usually read a book by their father." ? ?
I think it is natural to say, "I'll read you a book," but is it okay to make it passive? And if it is possible, should I say, "They are usually read to a book by〜" or "They are usually read a book by〜"?
5 Answers
- 7 months agoFavourite answer
English answer: We use the passive voice when we want to make it clear that something is habitual so "They are usually read a book by ~" is fine. You cannot say "They are usually read to a book by〜". That would need to be "They are usually read to by〜". The book would be implied there.
- Anonymous5 months ago
It would sound very formal to use the passive in that context, not a 'nice family situation'. And "...usually read to a book..." makes no sense at all. 'I read a book to you'. 'I read a book to my children'. 'A book is read to my children by me'.
- 7 months ago
Change is NEEDED ↙〽
〰It sounds more natural to the ear when one says "Their father usually reads to them."
OR
〰"Their father usually reads books to them."
〰Past Tense➡ "Their father usually read to them."
〰 "Their father usually read books to them."
- Days of You’reLv 77 months ago
It means their father reads them an ENTIRE book every time, which is a rather dubious proposition.
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