The Benefits of Passive Voice in Mathematics

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 85 views

The Power of Passive Voice in Mathematics: A Case Study of a Basketball Court

In the realm of mathematics, the use of passive voice can be a powerful tool in conveying complex ideas and concepts. While active voice is often preferred in everyday writing, passive voice can be particularly useful in mathematical contexts where the focus is on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action. In this article, we will explore the concept of passive voice in mathematics, using the example of a basketball court built in a school.

What is Passive Voice?

Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb, rather than performing the action. In other words, the focus is on the object of the action rather than the person or thing performing the action. For example, in the sentence "They have built a basketball court in the school," the subject "they" is performing the action of building, but the focus is on the object "basketball court" rather than the person or group responsible for building it.

The Benefits of Passive Voice in Mathematics

In mathematics, passive voice can be particularly useful in several ways:

Focus on the process: In mathematical contexts, the focus is often on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action. Passive voice allows us to focus on the process or the outcome without drawing attention to the person or group responsible for it.
Emphasis on the result: Passive voice can be used to emphasize the result of an action rather than the action itself. For example, in the sentence "A basketball court has been built in the school," the focus is on the result (the basketball court) rather than the action (building).
Clarity and concision: Passive voice can be used to make sentences more concise and easier to read. For example, in the sentence "The basketball court was built by the school," the focus is on the object (the basketball court) rather than the person or group responsible for building it.

The Example of a Basketball Court

Let's take the example of a basketball court built in a school. In this case, the sentence "They have built a basketball court in the school" is in active voice, with the subject "they" performing the action of building. However, if we want to focus on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action, we can use passive voice:

Active voice: They have built a basketball court in the school.
Passive voice: A basketball court has been built in the school.

In the passive voice sentence, the focus is on the object (the basketball court) rather than the person or group responsible for building it. This can be particularly useful in mathematical contexts where the focus is on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action.

In conclusion, passive voice can be a powerful tool in mathematics, allowing us to focus on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action. By using passive voice, we can make sentences more concise and easier to read, and emphasize the result of an action rather than the action itself. In the example of a basketball court built in a school, we can see how passive voice can be used to focus on the object (the basketball court) rather than the person or group responsible for building it.

What is the difference between active and passive voice?
- Active voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb, while passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb.
When should I use passive voice in mathematics?
- You should use passive voice in mathematics when you want to focus on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action, or when you want to emphasize the result of an action rather than the action itself.
How can I identify passive voice in a sentence?
- You can identify passive voice in a sentence by looking for the verb "to be" (e.g. "is," "was," "been") followed by a past participle (e.g. "built," "created," "written").

The Oxford English Grammar: This book provides a comprehensive guide to English grammar, including the use of passive voice.
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language: This book provides a detailed analysis of English grammar, including the use of passive voice.
Mathematics and Language: This book explores the relationship between mathematics and language, including the use of passive voice in mathematical contexts.
Mathematics and Language: A Q&A Guide to Passive Voice

In our previous article, we explored the concept of passive voice in mathematics, using the example of a basketball court built in a school. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about passive voice in mathematics, providing a comprehensive guide to this important topic.

Q: What is the difference between active and passive voice?

A: Active voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb, while passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb.

Q: When should I use passive voice in mathematics?

A: You should use passive voice in mathematics when you want to focus on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action, or when you want to emphasize the result of an action rather than the action itself.

Q: How can I identify passive voice in a sentence?

A: You can identify passive voice in a sentence by looking for the verb "to be" (e.g. "is," "was," "been") followed by a past participle (e.g. "built," "created," "written").

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using passive voice in mathematics?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when using passive voice in mathematics include:

Using passive voice when the focus is on the individual performing the action.
Using passive voice when the sentence is unclear or ambiguous.
Using passive voice when the sentence is too long or convoluted.

Q: How can I use passive voice to improve my writing in mathematics?

A: To use passive voice to improve your writing in mathematics, try the following:

Focus on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action.
Emphasize the result of an action rather than the action itself.
Use passive voice to make sentences more concise and easier to read.

Q: What are some examples of passive voice in mathematics?

A: Here are some examples of passive voice in mathematics:

Active voice: The teacher wrote the equation on the board.
Passive voice: The equation was written on the board by the teacher.
Active voice: The student solved the problem.
Passive voice: The problem was solved by the student.

Q: Can I use passive voice in all types of mathematical writing?

A: While passive voice can be useful in many types of mathematical writing, it is not always the best choice. For example, in technical writing or in writing that requires a high level of precision, active voice may be more suitable.

Q: How can I practice using passive voice in mathematics?

A: To practice using passive voice in mathematics, try the following:

Read mathematical texts and identify examples of passive voice.
Practice rewriting sentences in passive voice.
Use online resources or language learning tools to practice using passive voice.

In conclusion, passive voice is a powerful tool in mathematics, allowing us to focus on the process or the outcome rather than the individual performing the action. By understanding the difference between active and passive voice, and by practicing using passive voice in mathematics, you can improve your writing and communication skills. Remember to use passive voice judiciously, and to avoid common mistakes such as using passive voice when the focus is on the individual performing the action.

The Oxford English Grammar: This book provides a comprehensive guide to English grammar, including the use of passive voice.
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language: This book provides a detailed analysis of English grammar, including the use of passive voice.
Mathematics and Language: This book explores the relationship between mathematics and language, including the use of passive voice in mathematical contexts.

Online language learning tools: Websites such as Grammarly and Language Tool offer resources and exercises to help you practice using passive voice in mathematics.
Mathematical writing guides: Guides such as the American Mathematical Society's "Guide to Writing Mathematics" offer advice on using passive voice in mathematical writing.
Language learning apps: Apps such as Duolingo and Babbel offer interactive exercises and games to help you practice using passive voice in mathematics.