Table of Contents

Grammar: Passive Voice Level 8

Introduction

Have you ever read an article and wondered who was behind the action? The passive voice can help shift the focus from the doer to the action itself, making your writing clearer and more objective. In this article, we will explore the passive voice, its structure, and how it can enhance your persuasive writing skills in an engaging way.

Definition and Concept

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence is acted upon rather than performing the action. For example, in the sentence ‘The book was read by the student,’ the focus is on the book, not the student.

Relevance:

  • Writing: Helps in maintaining objectivity and clarity.
  • Communication: Useful in formal and academic contexts.

Historical Context or Origin​

The passive voice has been used since ancient times, particularly in Latin and Greek literature, where it was employed to create a sense of formality. Over the centuries, its usage has evolved, becoming a staple in scientific writing and formal documents to emphasize the action rather than the actor.

Understanding the Problem

To effectively use the passive voice, it’s essential to recognize when it is appropriate to shift focus from the subject to the action. Here’s how to identify passive constructions:

  • Look for the verb ‘to be’ (is, was, are, etc.) followed by a past participle (e.g., ‘written’, ‘completed’).
  • Determine if the doer of the action is mentioned (e.g., ‘by the student’) or omitted.

Methods to Solve the Problem with different types of problems​

Method 1: Transforming Active to Passive

  • Identify the object of the active sentence.
  • Make it the subject of the passive sentence.
  • Use the appropriate form of ‘to be’ + past participle of the main verb.

    • Example:
    Active: ‘The chef cooked the meal.’
    Passive: ‘The meal was cooked by the chef.’

    Method 2: Omitting the Doer
    In many cases, the doer can be omitted if it’s not important.

    Example:
    ‘The meal was cooked.’ (The focus is on the meal, not who cooked it.)

    Exceptions and Special Cases​

  • Unclear Doer: If the doer is unknown or irrelevant, passive voice is often preferred (e.g., ‘The window was broken.’).
  • Overusing Passive Voice: While useful, overusing it can make writing vague and impersonal. Balance is key.

    • Step-by-Step Practice​

    Practice Exercise 1: Convert the following active sentences to passive voice:

    • Active: ‘The teacher graded the tests.’
    • Passive: ‘The tests were graded by the teacher.’

    Practice Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentence in passive voice:

    • Active: ‘The committee will announce the results.’
    • Passive: ‘The results will be announced by the committee.’

    Examples and Variations

    Example of Passive Voice:

    • Active: ‘The scientist discovered a new species.’
    • Passive: ‘A new species was discovered by the scientist.’

    Variation:

    • Active: ‘The artist painted the mural.’
    • Passive: ‘The mural was painted by the artist.’

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    Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

    • Confusing active and passive voice; always look for the subject and the action.
    • Overusing passive voice can lead to unclear writing.
    • Neglecting to use the correct form of ‘to be’ with the past participle.

    Tips and Tricks for Efficiency

    • Use passive voice to enhance objectivity, especially in academic and formal writing.
    • Read your sentences aloud to determine if the focus is clear.
    • Practice converting sentences to identify your comfort with passive constructions.

    Real life application

    • In scientific writing, to emphasize the experiment rather than the experimenter.
    • In journalism, to report facts without bias (e.g., ‘The law was passed.’).
    • In business communications, to focus on results rather than individuals (e.g., ‘The project was completed on time.’).

    FAQ's

    Use the passive voice when the action is more important than who performed it, or when the doer is unknown.
    Yes, overusing passive voice can make writing dull. Balance it with active voice for a more engaging style.
    No, it has its place in writing, especially when objectivity and clarity are needed.
    Look for forms of ‘to be’ followed by a past participle. If the subject is receiving the action, it’s passive.
    Classic literature often uses passive constructions, such as in ‘The cake was eaten by the children.’

    Conclusion

    Mastering the passive voice can greatly enhance your persuasive writing skills. By understanding its structure and applications, you can create clearer, more objective sentences that effectively convey your message.

    References and Further Exploration

    • Purdue Online Writing Lab: Comprehensive guide on voice in writing.
    • Book: ‘The Elements of Style’ by Strunk and White.

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