PASSIVE VOICE

Normally, the performer of the action, or the agent, comes first and is made the subject of the
verb and then we use the active form of the verb. The other person or thing is made the object
of the verb. Consider these examples:
 The boss invited her to the party
 The construction company in Station Road employs three hundred people
However, if you want to focus on the person or thing affected by the action, you make the
person or thing the subject of the sentence and use the passive voice:
 She was invited to the party by the boss
 Three hundred people are employed by the construction company in Station Road
When should we use the passive voice in preference to the active?
We often prefer to use the passive voice when:
1. We do not know who the agent is
Examples:
 I don’t know who did it, but my pet rabbit has been let out
 I had the feeling that I was being followed
Instead of:
 I don’t know who did it, but someone has let out my pet rabbit
 I had the feeling that I somebody was following me
2. When it is obvious to the listener or reader who the agent is
Examples:
 I had been instructed to remove all the ash trays
 She discovered that she was being paid less than her male colleagues
Instead of:
 My boss had instructed to remove all the ash trays
 She discovered that the firm was paying her less that her male colleagues
3. When it is not important to know who the agent is
Examples:
 “Do you want a lift?” “No thank, I’m being picking me up”
Instead of:
 “Do you want a lift?” “No thanks someone is pecking me up”
4. When the agent has already been mentioned
Examples:
 In the session of parliament, new laws will be introduced aimed at stopping
domestic violence
Instead of:
 In the next session of parliament, the government will introduce new laws
aimed at stopping domestic violence
 5. When people in general are the agents
Examples:
 All the Beatles records can be borrowed from central library
Instead of:
 You can borrow all the Beatles from the central library
The object of an active sentence becomes the subject of a passive sentence.
Robots make these cars

These cars are made by robots

The “by phrase” is used when it is important to know who or what performs an action.
In “These cars are made by robots” is important information as it shows the specific doer.

The “by phrase” is not used when it is not known or not important to know exactly who or
what performs an action.
- That paper art was made in Japan.(by someone)
- Spanish is spoken in Colombia. (by people)
- That house was built in 1800s. (by him)
- Rice is grown in many countries. (by them)

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