Concerning the parsing of the noun following this passive, there is difference of opinion. Some call it an adverbial modifier, some call it a "retained object," and some say that it is a noun without grammatical construction. In "I offered him money," him represents the one to whom the act was directed, and money names the thing directly acted upon. In "He was offered money," the relation of the act to the person and to the thing is not changed; money still names the thing directly acted upon.]
+Example.+—The porter refused him admittance = He was refused admittance by the porter.
+Direction.+—Change the voice of the transitive verbs in these sentences, and note the other changes that occur:—
18. They were refused the protection of the law. 19. He was offered a pension by the government. 20. I was asked that question yesterday. 21. He told me to leave the room.
+Explanation.+—Here the infinitive phrase is the object complement, and (to) me is used adverbially. To leave the room = that I should leave the room.
22. I taught the child to read. 23. I taught the child reading. 24. They told me that your name was Fontibell.
+Direction.+—Change the following transitive verbs to the passive form, using first the regular and then the idiomatic construction:—
+Model.+—He promised me a present = A present was promised me (regular) = I was promised a present (idiomatic).
25. They must allow us the privilege of thinking for ourselves. 26. He offered them their lives if they would abjure their religion.
An intransitive verb is sometimes made transitive by the aid of a preposition.