de (complément d'agent)

Marking the Agent of a Passive Stative Verb with De

Level 3

In the passive voice, the person or thing doing the action is usually introduced by par. However, for verbs describing a state, a feeling, or a permanent quality, we use de instead.

How It Works

While par is the standard way to introduce an agent, de is used in specific contexts to emphasize a result or a standing relationship rather than a process.

1. Verbs of Emotion and Sentiment
Verbs like aimer (to love), respecter (to respect), estimer (to esteem), and haïr (to hate) often take de because they describe a continuous state of feeling.

2. Verbs of Description and State
Verbs that describe how something is positioned or composed, such as entourer (to surround), border (to border), or couvrir (to cover), use de when describing a static scene.

3. Verbs of Knowledge and Accompaniment
The verbs connaître (to know) and ignorer (to be ignorant of) frequently use de. Similarly, verbs of accompaniment like suivre (to follow), accompagner (to accompany), and précéder (to precede) use de when the focus is on the state of being together.

Morphological Notes:

  • Elision: De becomes d' before a vowel or silent h (e.g., estimé d'autrui). However, it does not elide before an aspirated H, such as in haïr (e.g., haï de tous).
  • Contractions: De contracts with definite articles: de + le = du and de + les = des.

Examples (6)

  1. Ce professeur est respecté de tous ses élèves.

    This teacher is respected by all his students.

    Word by Word: This teacher is respected of all his students.

    The verb 'respecter' describes a state of feeling/sentiment, so 'de' is used instead of 'par'.

  2. La ville est entourée de montagnes.

    The city is surrounded by mountains.

    Word by Word: The city is surrounded of mountains.

    Since 'entourer' describes a static physical state rather than a dynamic action, 'de' is the natural choice.

  3. Cette règle est connue des usagers.

    This rule is known by the users.

    Word by Word: This rule is known of-the users.

    With verbs of knowledge like 'connaître', 'de' is used and contracts with 'les' to become 'des'.

  4. Le sommet est couvert de neige.

    The summit is covered with snow.

    Word by Word: The summit is covered of snow.

    Here, 'de' describes the state of the mountain. Using 'par' would imply the snow is actively performing the act of covering right now.

  5. Le président est suivi de ses conseillers.

    The president is followed by his advisors.

    Word by Word: The president is followed of his advisors.

    Verbs of accompaniment like 'suivre' or 'accompagner' use 'de' when the action is a state of being together.

  6. Il est haï de tous.

    He is hated by everyone.

    Word by Word: He is hated of all.

    The verb 'haïr' starts with an aspirated H, so 'de' does not elide to 'd''.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'de' for dynamic, physical actions.

    La souris a été mangée de l'oiseau.
    La souris a été mangée par l'oiseau.

    Eating is a discrete, dynamic action, not a state or emotion. Therefore, 'par' must be used.

  • Using 'par' with a verb of feeling.

    Il est aimé par ses parents.
    Il est aimé de ses parents.

    Both are correct. With verbs of feeling, 'de' is the traditional and more elegant choice, even when the agent is a person. 'Par' is also common today.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

de (complément d'agent)Level 3Marking the Agent of a Passive Stative Verb with De

Learn This First

To understand why 'de' is used to mark an agent, a learner must already be familiar with the general construction of the passive voice and the standard use of 'par' for agents. This pattern specifically applies to stative verbs or verbs of emotion, modifying the standard passive structure.

Words in This Pattern