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puzzle
Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 180
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 Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 4:33 pm Post subject: date back to |
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Dear teachers,
Can you tell me whether "date back to " can be used in passive voice? We're taught that there is no passive voice for this phrase but there is a sentence in our textbook like this:
All the objects are from the same excavation site in Sanxingdui and can be dated back to 3000 and 3500 years ago.
Is this sentence right? Why?
Thank you very much! |
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IanT
Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 181
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know if it's technically correct or not, but it sounds natural and I have heard similar phrases many times.
I reckon it's the "can be" that makes it sound OK. "Are dated back" would definitely sound wrong.
Hope helps,
Ian
_________________
Please note: all my answers here refer to British English.
www.EnglishSwearing.com All the bad words and how to use them!
www.throdworld.com "Not Averse" A collection of silly verses to make you happy. |
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