Understanding Passive Voice in Simple Terms: Where and Why We Use It

Introduction to Passive Voice

Passive voice is a grammatical construction that shifts the emphasis in a sentence from the actor (often the doer of the action) to the receiver of the action. It's particularly useful when the focus is on the action itself rather than the person performing it. For instance, you might say, "The ball was hit by the player" instead of "The player hit the ball."

What is Passive Voice?

Passive voice describes a situation where the subject of the sentence undergoes the action of the verb. In contrast to active voice, where the subject is actively performing the action, in passive voice, the subject is the receiver of the action.

The structure typically includes:

The subject The form of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) The past participle of the main verb

Active vs Passive Voice: A Closer Look

Active voice emphasizes the actor in the sentence, while passive voice places emphasis on the receiver of the action. Here are examples:

Active: Joe threw the ball. Passive: The ball was thrown by Joe.

In everyday writing, particularly in books, stories, and news items, the passive voice is often weaker and less direct than the active voice. However, there are specific scenarios where the passive voice is more appropriate, such as in technical writing or instructions. For example:

Where do We Use Passive Voice?

Passive voice is frequently used in technical writing and instruction manuals. It helps the reader quickly understand the object or action. Consider the following example:

The switch should be set first. First, the switch should be set.

In technical documents, passive voice is used to ensure clarity and directness. It helps the reader focus on the object or action, rather than the person performing it.

Examples and Translations

Let's look at some examples of sentences in both active and passive voice:

Active: The boy kicked the ball. Passive: The ball was kicked by the boy. Active: The judge swore the politician into office. Passive: The politician was sworn into office by the judge. Active: Don’t let that fool you. Passive: Don’t be fooled by that.

In the passive voice, the prepositional phrase "by the boy," "by the judge," or "by that" indicates the actor. However, this phrase can be omitted if the focus is on the action:

Passive: The ball was kicked. Passive: The politician was sworn into office. Passive: Don’t be fooled.

When to Use Passive Voice

Passive voice is often used when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when the focus is on the action rather than the performer. Here are a few scenarios where passive voice is appropriate:

When the performer of the action is not known: For example, "A new car was announced by the company."

When the action is the focus rather than the performer: For example, "An important decision was made."

In formal or technical writing: For example, "The document will be reviewed by management."

Conclusion

Passive voice is a powerful tool in writing that can effectively shift the focus of a sentence from the actor to the action. Understanding when and how to use it can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

Key Takeaways

Passive voice emphasizes the receiver of the action. Use passive voice when the focus is on the action, not the actor. Passive voice is often used in technical and formal writing.