Understanding-Passive-Voice (21)

1.

Unders tanding P as s ive Voice
Passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a
sentence receives the action, rather than performing the action. This
contrasts with active voice, where the subject of the sentence
performs the action. Passive voice can be a useful tool in writing, but
it's important to understand when and how to use it effectively.

2.

Recognizing Passive Voice
1
Identifying Passive Voice
2
Examples of Passive Voice
3
Difference from Active
Voice
Passive voice is typically formed
The report was written by the
with a form of the verb "to be"
team. The package was
In active voice, the subject
(e.g., is, was, will be) plus a past
delivered yesterday.
performs the action: The team
participle (e.g., written, done,
wrote the report. The delivery
seen).
person delivered the package.

3.

Active vs. Passive Voice
Active Voice
Passive Voice
When to Use
Active voice is generally more direct,
Passive voice can be useful for
Active voice is often preferred for
concise, and engaging. It puts the
emphasizing the recipient of the
most writing, but passive voice can
focus on the subject as the doer of
action or for avoiding the need to
be appropriate in certain situations,
the action.
specify the agent. However, it can
such as when the agent is unknown
also be more wordy and less clear.
or unimportant, or when the focus
should be on the recipient of the
action.

4.

P as s ive Voice Cons truction
Key Steps
1. Identify the subject, verb, and object in the active voice sentence. 2.
Make the object of the active sentence the subject of the passive
Active Voice
sentence. 3. Use a form of "to be" plus the past participle of the verb.
The team wrote the report.
1
4. (Optional) Include the agent of the action using "by".
2
P as s ive Voice
The report was written by the team.
3

5.

When to Use Passive Voice
Emphasize the Receiver
Avoid Naming the Agent
Passive voice can be useful when you want to
Passive voice can be used when the agent of the action
emphasize the recipient of the action, rather than the
is unknown, unimportant, or unnecessary to mention.
doer. For example, "The trophy was awarded to the
For example, "The package was delivered this morning"
team" focuses on the trophy being awarded, rather
doesn't require specifying who delivered it.
than who awarded it.
Formal or Scientific Writing
Diplomacy and Tact
Passive voice is commonly used in academic, technical,
Passive voice can be used to communicate information
and scientific writing to maintain an objective,
delicately or avoid placing blame. For example,
impersonal tone and focus on the subject matter
"Mistakes were made" is more tactful than "I/You made
rather than the writer.
mistakes."

6.

Advantages of Pas s ive Voice
Objectivity
Focus on Subject
Passive voice can help create a
Passive voice allows the writer to
more objective, impersonal tone,
focus the reader's attention on the
which is often desirable in
subject of the sentence, rather
academic, technical, and scientific
than the agent.
writing.
Diplomacy
Formality
Passive voice can be used to
Passive voice is often associated
communicate information
with a more formal, academic, or
delicately and avoid placing direct
professional writing style.
blame or responsibility.

7.

Disadvantages of Passive Voice
Wordiness
Passive voice constructions tend to be more wordy and convoluted
than their active voice counterparts.
Lack of Clarity
Passive voice can sometimes obscure who or what is performing the
action, making the sentence less clear and direct.
Distancing the Reader
Overuse of passive voice can make the writing feel more distant and
impersonal, potentially disengaging the reader.
Ambiguity
In some cases, passive voice can lead to ambiguity or confusion about
the true subject of the sentence.

8.

Identifying P as s ive Voice in
Writing
1
L ook for "to be" Verbs
2
Passive voice typically uses
Check for L ack of
Subject
forms of the verb "to be" (is,
In passive voice, the subject
was, will be, etc.) plus a
of the sentence is the
past participle.
recipient of the action,
rather than the doer.
3
Identify Pas t
Participles
4
Cons ider the Contex t
Evaluate whether the focus
Past participles (written,
of the sentence is on the
done, seen) are a key
action or the subject
indicator of passive voice
receiving the action.
constructions.

9.

Strategies for Avoiding Passive
Voice
1
Passive Voice
The report was written by the team.
2
Active Voice
The team wrote the report.
3
Strategies
1. Identify passive voice constructions in your writing. 2.
Determine the subject, verb, and object of the sentence. 3.
Rewrite the sentence in active voice, making the subject the
doer of the action. 4. Evaluate the clarity and conciseness of the
active voice version. 5. Occasionally, passive voice may be
appropriate, but use it sparingly and intentionally.

10.

Mas tering Active and
P as s ive Voice
Understanding the appropriate use of active and passive voice is an
essential skill for effective writing. Active voice is generally more
direct, concise, and engaging, while passive voice can be useful for
emphasizing the recipient of the action, avoiding the agent, or
maintaining an objective, formal tone. By recognizing passive voice
constructions and strategically employing both active and passive
voice, writers can craft clear, compelling, and nuanced prose that
effectively communicates their message.