Note. In this idiom, the preposition is treated like an ending attached to the verb to make it transitive. In other words, laugh at, pass upon, etc., are treated as compound verbs, and the object of the preposition is, in effect, the object of the compound. In the passive, this object becomes the subject and the preposition (now lacking an object) remains attached to the verb. The passive construction is well established, but not always graceful.
252. The passive of some verbs of choosing, calling, naming, making, and thinking may be followed by a predicate nominative ([§ 88, 2]).
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| (PREDICATE OBJECTIVE) | (PREDICATE NOMINATIVE) |
| We elected John president. | John was elected president. |
| The Roman people called the chief friend. | The chief was called friend by the Roman people. |
| The herald proclaimed him emperor. | He was proclaimed emperor by the herald. |
Note. In the active voice, these verbs may take two objects referring to the same person or thing,—a direct object and a predicate objective ([§ 104]). In the passive, the direct object becomes the subject, and the predicate objective becomes a predicate nominative, agreeing with the subject ([§ 88, 2]).
Object of the Passive
253. When a verb takes both a direct and an indirect object, one of the two is often retained after the passive, the other becoming the subject. Thus,—
1. The indirect object is retained.
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| My aunt gave me this watch. | This watch was given me by my aunt. |
| We allowed them free choice. | Free choice was allowed them. |
| He allowed each speaker an hour. | An hour was allowed each speaker. |
| Congress granted me a pension. | A pension was granted me. |
Note. The preposition to is often inserted in the passive construction, especially with a noun; as,—“A small pension was granted to Dr. Johnson.”
2. The direct object is retained.