The passive

 Use the passive to sound objective and impersonal.

The passive is particularly common in formal writing, e.g. academic writing and news reports.

 Use the passive to emphasise the important information at the beginning of the sentence.

Penicillin was discovered by Fleming. (The most important point is the invention of penicillin.)

 Use the passive if who performs the action is unknown or unimportant. The emphasis is on the
action itself.

The museum was built in the 17th century. (We aren’t interested in who built it.)

 Use the passive to show that we are not certain.

It is believed that this ancient society used aspirin. (There is no proof. It’s just a theory.)

 Use the passive to distance ourselves from a statement.

It’s said that it’s unlucky to walk under a ladder. (This speaker might not believe this.)

 The passive in often used in formal English to describe rules, processes or procedures.

Membership cards must be shown at the door before entry.

 It is common to use the passive with an infinitive or with to have + past participle.

She was thought to be the best swimmer in the city.

He is known to have been present during the crimes.

 We can use a causative form with a passive meaning.

The form is have/get + object + past participle.

We had the walls painted blue.

He had his laptop upgraded.

Spoken grammar
Get is more informal than have.

A spoken form of the causative have is common in the USA.

I had the mechanic fix my car.