Tips for Using Passive Voice Effectively

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 77 views

What is Passive Voice?

Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the object of an action becomes the subject of the sentence, while the doer of the action is relegated to a secondary position. In other words, the focus of the sentence shifts from the doer of the action to the receiver of the action.

Examples of Passive Voice

1. She sings a song.

Passive Voice: A song is sung by her.

In this example, the subject of the sentence is "she," but the focus of the sentence is on the action of singing, which is now attributed to the song. The doer of the action, "she," is relegated to a secondary position.

2. James will repair the car.

Passive Voice: The car will be repaired by James.

In this example, the subject of the sentence is "the car," but the focus of the sentence is on the action of repairing, which is now attributed to James. The doer of the action, James, is relegated to a secondary position.

3. An unknown author wrote the book.

Passive Voice: The book was written by an unknown author.

In this example, the subject of the sentence is "the book," but the focus of the sentence is on the action of writing, which is now attributed to the unknown author. The doer of the action, the unknown author, is relegated to a secondary position.

4. I will finish the task before the evening.

Passive Voice: The task will be finished by me before the evening.

In this example, the subject of the sentence is "the task," but the focus of the sentence is on the action of finishing, which is now attributed to me. The doer of the action, I, is relegated to a secondary position.

5. The boy killed the ant.

Passive Voice: The ant was killed by the boy.

In this example, the subject of the sentence is "the ant," but the focus of the sentence is on the action of killing, which is now attributed to the boy. The doer of the action, the boy, is relegated to a secondary position.

6. A jellyfish stung her while she was

Passive Voice: She was stung by a jellyfish while she was.

In this example, the subject of the sentence is "she," but the focus of the sentence is on the action of stinging, which is now attributed to the jellyfish. The doer of the action, the jellyfish, is relegated to a secondary position.

Why Use Passive Voice?

Passive voice can be useful in certain situations, such as:

When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant.
When the focus of the sentence is on the action itself, rather than the doer of the action.
When the sentence is written in a formal or objective tone.

However, passive voice can also make sentences seem less clear or less engaging, especially when used excessively.

Tips for Using Passive Voice Effectively

Use passive voice sparingly and only when necessary.
Make sure the sentence is clear and easy to understand.
Avoid using passive voice in situations where the doer of the action is important or needs to be emphasized.

Conclusion

Q&A: Passive Voice

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

A: Active voice is a grammatical construction in which the doer of the action is the subject of the sentence, while passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the object of the action becomes the subject of the sentence.

Q: When should I use passive voice?

A: You should use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant, when the focus of the sentence is on the action itself, or when the sentence is written in a formal or objective tone.

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

A: To identify passive voice in a sentence, look for the following characteristics:

The subject of the sentence is the object of the action (e.g. "The ball was thrown by John").
The doer of the action is relegated to a secondary position (e.g. "The ball was thrown by John" instead of "John threw the ball").
The verb is in the passive voice form (e.g. "was thrown" instead of "threw").

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

A: No, passive voice is not suitable for all types of writing. In general, it's best to use active voice in most writing situations, especially in creative writing, journalism, and academic writing. Passive voice can make sentences seem less clear or less engaging.

Q: How do I convert a sentence from active to passive voice?

A: To convert a sentence from active to passive voice, follow these steps:

Identify the doer of the action (the subject of the sentence).
Move the doer of the action to a secondary position (e.g. "was thrown by John").
Change the verb to the passive voice form (e.g. "was thrown" instead of "threw").

Q: Can I use passive voice in academic writing?

A: Yes, passive voice can be used in academic writing, especially in situations where the focus is on the action itself or when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. However, it's generally recommended to use active voice in academic writing to make sentences clearer and more engaging.

Q: How do I avoid using passive voice excessively?

A: To avoid using passive voice excessively, follow these tips:

Use active voice in most writing situations.
Use passive voice only when necessary (e.g. when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant).
Vary your sentence structure to avoid repetition.
Use clear and concise language to make sentences easier to understand.

Q: Can I use passive voice in creative writing?

A: Yes, passive voice can be used in creative writing, especially in situations where the focus is on the action itself or when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. However, it's generally recommended to use active voice in creative writing to make sentences more engaging and dynamic.

Q: How do I know when to use passive voice in creative writing?

A: To know when to use passive voice in creative writing, consider the following:

Use passive voice when the focus is on the action itself (e.g. "The door creaked open").
Use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant (e.g. "The package was delivered").
Use passive voice when the sentence is written in a formal or objective tone (e.g. "The report was written by the team").

Q: Can I use passive voice in business writing?

A: Yes, passive voice can be used in business writing, especially in situations where the focus is on the action itself or when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. However, it's generally recommended to use active voice in business writing to make sentences clearer and more engaging.

Q: How do I know when to use passive voice in business writing?

A: To know when to use passive voice in business writing, consider the following:

Use passive voice when the focus is on the action itself (e.g. "The project was completed on time").
Use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant (e.g. "The report was submitted").
Use passive voice when the sentence is written in a formal or objective tone (e.g. "The company was founded in 1990").

Q: Can I use passive voice in technical writing?

A: Yes, passive voice can be used in technical writing, especially in situations where the focus is on the action itself or when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. However, it's generally recommended to use active voice in technical writing to make sentences clearer and more engaging.

Q: How do I know when to use passive voice in technical writing?

A: To know when to use passive voice in technical writing, consider the following:

Use passive voice when the focus is on the action itself (e.g. "The system was designed to meet the customer's needs").
Use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant (e.g. "The software was updated").
Use passive voice when the sentence is written in a formal or objective tone (e.g. "The product was manufactured using a proprietary process").