Passive voice is a grammatical construction that emphasizes the action done to the subject of the sentence rather than the subject performing the action. In passive voice, the subject of the sentence is being acted upon by the verb. This can sometimes lead to confusion and ambiguity in writing, as the focus is shifted away from the doer of the action.
Many writers are often advised to avoid passive voice in their writing because it can make sentences less direct and less engaging. However, passive voice can be useful in certain situations, such as when the doer of the action is unknown or when the focus is on the action itself rather than the doer.
Passive Voice: Simple Meaning
When a sentence is in passive voice, the subject is no longer the doer of the action, but rather the receiver of the action. The verb in a passive voice sentence is typically in the past participle form and is preceded by a form of the verb “to be” (such as is, are, was, were). For example, in the sentence “The cake was baked by Mary,” the cake is the subject being acted upon, and Mary is the doer of the action.
Passive voice is often used in formal writing, scientific writing, and when the focus is on the result of the action rather than the doer. It can also be used to shift the emphasis of a sentence or to be more tactful in certain situations. However, overusing passive voice can make writing less clear and engaging, so it is important to use it judiciously.
One common misconception about passive voice is that it always hides the doer of the action. While it is true that passive voice can sometimes obscure the doer, it is also possible to include the doer in a passive voice sentence by using a prepositional phrase starting with “by.” For example, in the sentence “The book was written by the author,” the doer of the action (the author) is included in the sentence.
In conclusion, passive voice is a grammatical construction that emphasizes the action done to the subject rather than the subject performing the action. While it can be useful in certain situations, it is important to use passive voice judiciously to ensure clarity and engagement in writing. By understanding the simple meaning of passive voice and how it functions, writers can make informed decisions about when to use it in their writing.