The Passive Voice In English (Definition, Form, And Examples)

Definition

Passive voice is a grammatical structure where the subject of a sentence receives the action of the verb instead of performing it. The structure of the passive voice in English involves the use of transitive verbs, which have both active and passive forms.

Example:

• They were invited to the party. (The subject “they” receives the action of the passive verb “were invited.”)
• The house is being cleaned at the moment. (The subject “the house” receives the action of the passive verb “is being cleaned.“)

Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

The primary distinction between active and passive voice in English lies in the role of the subject. In active voice, the subject performs the action, while in passive voice, it receives the action. Consider the following example:

• They were given enough time to finish the task.
• Active alternative: The teacher gave them enough time to finish the task. (Here, the subject “the teacher” performs the action.)

Examples of Active and Passive Voice In English:

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Most countries in Latin America speak Spanish.	Spanish is spoken in most countries in Latin America.
William Shakespeare wrote “Hamlet.”	“Hamlet” was written by William Shakespeare.
Scientists conducted the experiment in a controlled environment.	The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment by scientists.
Someone had stolen the car.	The car had been stolen.
Most people believe that the earth is round.	It is widely believed that the earth is round.
The intern has written the report.	The report has been written by the intern.
The company is hiring a new employee.	A new employee is being hired by the company.

Form of the Passive Voice In English

The passive voice in English is formed as follows:

Subject + Appropriate form of to be + Past Participle

Note: The appropriate form of to be is based on the tense of the active voice main verb.

When converting active sentences into passive voice:

• The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
• The verb takes the form of to be (matching the tense of the active voice main verb) + the past participle.
• The subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the preposition “by” in the passive sentence (or is omitted).

Example:

• Active: Nancy makes tea.
• Passive: Tea is made (by Nancy).

Use of the Passive Voice In English

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action, and it is not crucial or known who or what performs the action. For instance, “A letter was written” emphasizes the act of writing without specifying the writer.

1. Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.
   • Example: “A letter was written.”
     The focus, here, is on the fact that a letter was written. We don’t know, however, who wrote it.
2. It is also used when we don’t know the doer of the action.
   • Example:
     My bike was stolen,
3. Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite (or less accusative) than in active voice, as the following example shows:
   • Example: A vase was broken.
     The focus, here, is on the fact that a vase was broken, but we don’t blame anyone. Compare this to: “You broke the vase.”
4. It is used when we want to appear more objective:
   • Example:
     The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment.

(For the use of the passive structure in writing click here)

Examples of the Passive Voice

Tense		Subject	Verb	Object
Simple Present	Active:	Nancy	makes	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	is made	by Nancy.
Present Progressive	Active:	Nancy	is making	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	is being made	by Nancy.
Simple Past	Active:	Nancy	made	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	was made	by Nancy.
Past Progressive	Active:	Nancy	was making	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	was being made	by Nancy.
Present Perfect	Active:	Nancy	has made	Tea.
	Passive:	Tea	has been made	by Nancy.
Past Perfect	Active:	Nancy	had made	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	had been made	by Nancy.
Future simple	Active:	Nancy	will make	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	will be made	by Nancy.
Future perfect	Active:	Nancy	will have made	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	will have been made	by Nancy.
Conditional	Active:	Nancy	would make	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	would be made	by Nancy.
Modals	Active:	Nancy	can make	tea.
	Passive:	Tea	can be made	by Nancy.

Passive Voice Sentences with Two Objects

When transforming an active sentence with two objects into a passive structure, one object becomes the subject, and the other remains an object. The choice depends on what you wish to emphasize.

• Active: Nancy offered a flower to me.
• Passive: A flower was offered to me (by Nancy).
• Alternative Passive: I was offered a flower (by Nancy).

Impersonal Passive Voice

In the impersonal passive voice, sentences begin with the subject of the that-clause and use the impersonal form “it is…” This is applicable primarily with verbs of perception (e.g., say, think, know).

Examples:

• They say that the planet is in danger.
  • It is said that the planet is in danger.
  • It is thought that the planet is in danger.
  • It is believed that the planet is in danger.
  • It is known that the planet is in danger.

It’s also common to initiate the passive form with the subject of the that-clause:

• They say that the planet is in danger.
  • The planet is said to be in danger.

Passive Voice with Infinitives

In addition to the standard structure of passive voice using past participles, passive constructions can also involve infinitives. This occurs when the action is described as necessary, obligatory, or required. Here’s an example:

• Example: You have to be informed.

In this sentence, “You have to be informed” is in the passive voice with an infinitive. Let’s break it down:

• Active Voice: Someone (not specified) informs you.
• Passive structure with Infinitive: You have to be informed.

In this construction, the infinitive “to be informed” is used to express the passive voice. It conveys a sense of obligation or necessity for the subject to receive the action of being informed. This structure is often employed when emphasizing the importance of the action or the responsibility of the subject to be informed.

It’s worth noting that passive voice with infinitives is particularly common in instructions, rules, or situations where compliance or necessity is underscored. This usage highlights the action that needs to be taken without explicitly stating who will perform the action.

Example Sentences:

1. Active Voice: The manager informs the team about the changes.
   • Passive Voice with Infinitive: The team has to be informed about the changes.
2. Active Voice: The authorities will announce the decision.
   • Passive structure with Infinitive: The decision will have to be announced.
3. Active Voice: The teacher advises the students to send the assignment by email.
   • Passive structure with Infinitive: The students need to be advised to send the assignment by email.

In each of these examples, the passive voice with infinitives is used to emphasize the necessity or obligation for the subject to undergo the action. This construction is a useful tool when clarity and emphasis on responsibility are crucial in communication.

Passive Voice with Gerunds

Passive constructions can also involve gerunds when describing an action that someone experiences or undergoes. Gerunds, ending in “-ing,” are used to convey activities or actions as nouns. When combined with the passive voice, they emphasize the experience or reception of an action rather than who is performing it.

Let’s explore this concept with an example:

• Example: She recalls being bullied by her classmates.

In this sentence, “being bullied” is a phrase that involves a gerund in a passive construction. Here’s a breakdown:

• Active: Her classmates bully her.
• Passive with Gerund: She recalls being bullied by her classmates.

In this construction, the gerund “being bullied” conveys that she is the recipient of the action, emphasizing the experience rather than the individuals carrying out the bullying. Passive constructions with gerunds are effective when the focus is on the impact or effect of an action on the subject.

Example Sentences:

1. Active Voice: The team mocked him during the presentation.
   • Passive Voice with Gerund: He remembers being mocked during the presentation.
2. Active Voice: They are praising her for solving the problem.
   • Passive Voice with Gerund: She appreciates being praised for solving the problem.
3. Active Voice: The audience admired his performance.
   • Passive Voice with Gerund: His performance was admired by the audience.

In each instance, the passive structure with gerunds shifts the focus to the experience or impact of the action on the subject. This construction is particularly useful when the emphasis is on the emotional or psychological effect of an action, providing a nuanced perspective on the events described.

Conclusion

The passive is a grammatical structure wherein the subject receives the action rather than performing it. It is used when the doer is unknown, to convey objectivity, or to maintain a less accusative tone. This structure finds frequent use in scientific texts or news stories.

More on passive structures here.

Related Pages

• Passive voice
• Passive voice: exercise 1
• Passive voice: exercise 2
• Passive voice in writing

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