Active/Passive Voice: Reasons to use passive voice (emphasis, unknown agent)

Passive Voice: The Spotlight Shifter

We mostly use active voice in English because it’s direct and clear. But there are times when passive voice is the better choice.

What is the passive voice?

Remember, in the passive voice:

• The subject is not the doer of the action.
• The focus is on the object of the action or the action itself.

Why use passive voice?

1. Emphasis on the Object:

   • Sometimes, the result of an action is more important than who did it.

   • Example: The Mona Lisa was painted in the 16th century. (We care about the painting, not who painted it.)

2. Unknown Agent:

   • When we don’t know who did the action, or it’s not important.

   • Example: My bike was stolen. (We don’t know who stole it.)

3. Avoiding Blame or Responsibility:

   • Sometimes, we use the passive voice to sound more polite or to avoid directly blaming someone.

   • Example: A mistake was made in the report. (Instead of: You made a mistake…)

4. Scientific or Technical Writing:

   • The passive voice is often used to sound more objective and formal.

   • Example: The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions.

Let’s Practice!

1. Identify the Reason:

   • Why is the passive voice used in these sentences?
     • The email was sent this morning. (Unknown agent)
     • The city was destroyed by the earthquake. (Emphasis on the object)

2. Rewrite the Sentences:

   • Change these sentences to passive voice:
     • Someone stole my wallet.
     • Scientists are studying the effects of climate change.

Challenge!

Write a news article about an event in your community. Try to use the passive voice at least twice.