Making smooth transitions
Look at the following examples. Version A is based on a real occurrence:
A. Ann: Where did you get that wallet?
Joe: It was given to me by my friend.
Given . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New
In this exchange that wallet is introduced at the end of the first clause and is picked up as subject pronoun in the second. Here we have again the simple linear Theme–Rheme pattern, but in this case it is the choice of the passive that enables the speaker to maintain topic continuity, as well as unmarked end-focus. Now look at version B:
B. Ann: Where did you get that wallet?
Joe: My friend gave it to me.
New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Given
In this version, instead of initiating a topic chain headed by that wallet, a new participant (my friend) is introduced, as subject, necessarily with heavy stress (marked focus). This compensates for the lack of topic continuity, since in English, stress patterns override the usual Given–New pattern, producing instead a New–Given pattern.
It is not necessarily the passive which serves to maintain topic continuity, however. Compare the versions b and c in each of the following sets of clauses. In each case c rather than b preserves the continuity better with a, whether by means of the passive (1 and 2) or the active (3). Moreover, 2b violates the ‘animacy’ and ‘empathy’ hierarchies, which give priority to human referents. All are grammatically acceptable, however.
1a The Prime Minister stepped off the plane.
1b Journalists immediately surrounded her.
1c She was immediately surrounded by journalists.
2a The Prime Minister stepped off the plane.
2b The wind immediately buffeted her.
2c She was immediately buffeted by the wind.
3a The Prime Minister stepped off the plane.
3b All the journalists were immediately greeted by her.
3c She immediately greeted all the journalists.
