Passive Voice: Style and Usage

Passive voice is a grammatical structure that emphasizes the action done to the subject rather than the subject performing the action. It is often used when the focus is on the action itself rather than who is performing it. Understanding passive voice can help make your writing more varied and interesting.

What is Passive Voice?

In passive voice sentences, the subject is not the doer of the action. Instead, the action is done to the subject. The structure of a passive voice sentence is formed by using a form of the verb “to be” (such as “is,” “are,” “was,” “were”) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Example: Active voice: The cat chased the mouse. Passive voice: The mouse was chased by the cat.

In the passive voice sentence, “the mouse” receives the action of “chased” rather than performing the action.

When to Use Passive Voice

Passive voice is used in various situations:

1.  When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. Example: The cake was eaten.
2.  When the focus is on the action rather than the doer. Example: The book was read in one sitting.
3.  When describing processes or procedures. Example: The instructions were followed carefully.

How to Form Passive Voice

To form passive voice sentences, follow these steps:

1.  Identify the subject, verb, and object in the active voice sentence.
2. Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position in the passive sentence.
3.  Use a form of the verb “to be” (is, am, are, was, were) according to the tense of the active verb.
4.  Follow “to be” with the past participle form of the main verb.

Example: Active voice: The chef prepared the meal. Passive voice: The meal was prepared by the chef.

Common Mistakes with Passive Voice

1.  Overusing passive voice can make writing dull and less engaging. It’s essential to use it judiciously.
2.  Confusing passive voice with past tense. Passive voice is about the structure of the sentence, not the tense of the verb.
3.  Forgetting to include the doer of the action when it’s necessary for clarity.

Practice Exercises

1.  Rewrite the following sentences in passive voice:
   • The teacher explained the lesson.
   • They built a new bridge over the river.
   • The doctor will examine the patient.
2.  Identify whether the following sentences are in active or passive voice:
   • The letter was written by Sarah.
   • The team won the championship.
   • The window was broken by the storm.

Exercises : 

• Exercise 1: Passive Voice | Practice Test Online
• Exercise 2: Passive Voice | Practice Test Online
• Exercise 3: Passive Voice | Practice Test Online

Conclusion

Understanding passive voice and knowing when to use it can enhance your writing skills. By mastering passive voice, you can add variety and sophistication to your sentences, making your writing more dynamic and engaging. Practice using passive voice in your writing to become more proficient in its usage.