We can say:
He owes an apology to us.
We can't say:
An apology is owed to us.
We can say:
We're owed an apology.
Can we say:
We're owed an apology by him?
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3Why do you think you can't say 'An apology is owed to us'?– Michael HarveyDec 19, 2021 at 11:24
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@ Michael Woke Harvey because of this oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/owe?q=owe– xeesidDec 19, 2021 at 13:29
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Where does it say you can't say 'An apology is owed to us'?– Michael HarveyDec 19, 2021 at 13:34
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in the entry number 2– xeesidDec 19, 2021 at 13:40
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1That is one dictionary. Proceedings of the Australian parliament "This is not just an issue where an apology is owed to us, to the committee or to the Assembly; this is an apology that is required to the community, who have been waiting since December on an answer".– Michael HarveyDec 19, 2021 at 13:51
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1 Answer
He owes an apology to us.
I think we would normally say He owes us an apology
An apology is owed to us.
That is perfectly fine but would not be as common as the active way.
We're owed an apology.
That is fine
We're owed an apology by him?
That sounds a bit contrived as the active is shorter and more direct but it is not wrong.
