Passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence is the recipient of the action rather than the doer. It is commonly used in English to emphasize the action or the result of the action rather than the doer. While passive voice can be useful in certain contexts, overusing it can make your writing sound dull and less engaging. In this article, we will explore some examples of passive voice in English and discuss how to use it effectively.
When using passive voice, the object of the action becomes the subject of the sentence. The doer of the action is either omitted or mentioned at the end of the sentence with the preposition “by”. For example, instead of saying “The chef cooked the meal”, you can say “The meal was cooked by the chef” to emphasize the meal rather than the chef.
Examples of Passive Voice in English
1. The report was written by the team members.
2. The cake was baked by my mom for my birthday.
3. The car was stolen from the parking lot last night.
4. The new bridge will be constructed by the government next year.
5. The package was delivered to my doorstep this morning.
Using passive voice can be especially helpful when the doer of the action is unknown or when the focus is on the action itself rather than the doer. However, it is important to use passive voice judiciously and not to overuse it in your writing. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound impersonal and less engaging. It is also important to vary your sentence structures to keep your writing interesting and dynamic.
One way to check for passive voice in your writing is to look for sentences where the subject is being acted upon rather than performing the action. If you find too many instances of passive voice, consider revising your sentences to make them more active and engaging. Remember that active voice is generally preferred in most types of writing as it is more direct and concise.
In conclusion, passive voice can be a useful tool in English writing when used appropriately. By understanding how to use passive voice effectively and knowing when to switch to active voice, you can improve the clarity and impact of your writing. Practice using both passive and active voice in your writing to develop a versatile and engaging writing style.