The document discusses the passive voice. It defines passive voice as when the subject receives the action of the verb, as opposed to active voice where the subject performs the action. It provides examples of active and passive sentences. It describes the structure of passive voice as subject + auxiliary verb (be) + main verb (past participle). It discusses some reasons for using passive voice such as focusing on what is done to something rather than by something, avoiding mentioning the doer, or concealing information about the doer.
2. VOICE
Passive Voice
A sentence is said to be
in passive voice when the
subject receives the
action of the verb. In this
instance , the verb is
called a passive voice.
Example-Guitar is played
by Ronak.
Active Voice
A sentence is said to be
in active voice when the
subject is the performer
of the action verb . In
this instance , the verb is
called an active verb.
Example-Ronak plays
guitar.
3. Construction of the passive voice
Structure of the passive voice is very simple:
Subject + auxiliary verb (be)+main verb (past participle)
The main verb is always in its past participles form . the
subject of the active verb becomes the agent of the passive
verb. The agent is not very often mentioned .Although if
mentioned it is preceded by ‘by’ and placed at the end of the
clause.
1. put the verb to be in the same tense as the verb in the active
sentence. In this example the verb is in the simple past , so we
use the past tense of be.
use the past participle of the verb in the active sentence . only
sentences containing direct object of the active sentence does
not have a direct object , you cannot change it into a passive
sentence.
4. Use of the passive voice in English varies with writing style and field. It is generally much less used
than the active
Voice but is more prevalent in scientific writing than in other prose.
1.When the focus is on what is bring done TO something rather than BY something
For example:- The wedding cake had to be carried by two strong people.
2.When the doer can be inferred or is not of interest
For example:-The cake wasn’t served until two in the morning.
3.To avoid using the first person singular pronoun
For example:-Assignments to group was determined using a pre-generated randomization scheme.
4.To avoid using all-male pronouns
For example:-The average driver trades in his car every four years.
5.To deliberately deflect responsibility or conceal information.
For example:-Those cookies your mother sent you all got eaten.
Uses of the passive voice
5. Reasons for using the passive voice
The passive voice can be used without referring to the
agent of an action ; it may therefore be used when the
agent is unknown or unimportant ,or the speaker does
not wish to mention the agent.
Three stories were robbed last night (the identity of the
agent may be unknown ).
Mistakes have been made on this project(the speaker may
not wish to identify the agent).
A new cancer drug has been made on this project (the
speaker may not wish to identify the agent).
