Passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. It is often used in formal writing, such as academic papers, reports, and official documents. Understanding how to recognize and use passive voice can enhance your writing skills and improve the clarity of your communication.
While active voice is generally preferred in writing for its directness and clarity, passive voice can be useful in certain situations, such as when the doer of the action is unknown, when the focus is on the receiver of the action, or when the doer is less important than the action itself.
Example of Passive Voice
1. The cake was baked by Mary. (Passive) – Mary baked the cake. (Active)
2. The report will be submitted by the team tomorrow. (Passive) – The team will submit the report tomorrow. (Active)
3. The book was read by millions of people. (Passive) – Millions of people read the book. (Active)
4. The decision has been made by the committee. (Passive) – The committee has made the decision. (Active)
5. The house was built in 1920. (Passive) – Someone built the house in 1920. (Active)
These examples illustrate how passive voice shifts the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver of the action. By using passive voice, you can emphasize different parts of a sentence and create a more formal tone in your writing.
It is important to use passive voice judiciously and consider the context in which it is appropriate. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound dull and less engaging. By alternating between active and passive voice, you can create a more dynamic and varied writing style.
In conclusion, passive voice examples can be a valuable tool in your writing repertoire. By understanding when and how to use passive voice effectively, you can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. Experiment with different sentence structures and practice using passive voice in your writing to improve your overall communication skills.