Use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 22 views

Passive Voice: A Key to Effective Communication

Understanding Passive Voice

Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the recipient of the action (the object) becomes the subject of the sentence, while the doer of the action (the subject) is relegated to a secondary position. This can sometimes make the sentence sound more formal or even mysterious. In this article, we will explore the concept of passive voice and how to change sentences into passive voice.

Why Use Passive Voice?

Passive voice can be useful in certain situations. For example, when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant, passive voice can be used to focus on the action itself. It can also be used to emphasize the result of the action rather than the person performing it. However, it's essential to use passive voice judiciously, as overusing it can make your writing seem unclear or even dishonest.

Changing Sentences into Passive Voice

Now, let's apply the concept of passive voice to the given sentences.

1. Everyone loves her.

Original Sentence: Everyone loves her. Passive Voice: She is loved by everyone.

In this sentence, the subject "everyone" is performing the action of loving, and the object "her" is receiving the action. To change it into passive voice, we make "her" the subject and use the verb "is loved" to indicate the action.

2. Somebody called him yesterday.

Original Sentence: Somebody called him yesterday. Passive Voice: He was called by somebody yesterday.

Here, the subject "somebody" is performing the action of calling, and the object "him" is receiving the action. To change it into passive voice, we make "him" the subject and use the verb "was called" to indicate the action.

3. Nobody informed her about the meeting.

Original Sentence: Nobody informed her about the meeting. Passive Voice: She was not informed about the meeting by anybody.

In this sentence, the subject "nobody" is performing the action of informing, and the object "her" is receiving the action. To change it into passive voice, we make "her" the subject and use the verb "was not informed" to indicate the action.

4. Everybody is playing chess.

Original Sentence: Everybody is playing chess. Passive Voice: Chess is being played by everybody.

Here, the subject "everybody" is performing the action of playing, and the object "chess" is receiving the action. To change it into passive voice, we make "chess" the subject and use the verb "is being played" to indicate the action.

Tips for Using Passive Voice Effectively

While passive voice can be useful in certain situations, it's essential to use it judiciously. Here are some tips to help you use passive voice effectively:

Use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant: If you're not sure who performed the action or if the doer is not relevant to the sentence, use passive voice to focus on the action itself.
Use passive voice to emphasize the result of the action: If you want to emphasize the result of the action rather than the person performing it, use passive voice.
Avoid using passive voice when the doer of the action is important: If the doer of the action is important or relevant to the sentence, use active voice to make it clear who performed the action.
Use passive voice sparingly: While passive voice can be useful in certain situations, overusing it can make your writing seem unclear or even dishonest.

Conclusion

Passive voice is a grammatical construction that can be useful in certain situations. By understanding how to change sentences into passive voice, you can add variety to your writing and make it more effective. However, it's essential to use passive voice judiciously and follow the tips outlined above to ensure that your writing is clear and concise.
Passive Voice: A Key to Effective Communication

Understanding Passive Voice

Why Use Passive Voice?

Changing Sentences into Passive Voice

Now, let's apply the concept of passive voice to the given sentences.

1. Everyone loves her.

Original Sentence: Everyone loves her. Passive Voice: She is loved by everyone.

2. Somebody called him yesterday.

Original Sentence: Somebody called him yesterday. Passive Voice: He was called by somebody yesterday.

3. Nobody informed her about the meeting.

Original Sentence: Nobody informed her about the meeting. Passive Voice: She was not informed about the meeting by anybody.

4. Everybody is playing chess.

Original Sentence: Everybody is playing chess. Passive Voice: Chess is being played by everybody.

Tips for Using Passive Voice Effectively

While passive voice can be useful in certain situations, it's essential to use it judiciously. Here are some tips to help you use passive voice effectively:

Use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant: If you're not sure who performed the action or if the doer is not relevant to the sentence, use passive voice to focus on the action itself.
Use passive voice to emphasize the result of the action: If you want to emphasize the result of the action rather than the person performing it, use passive voice.
Avoid using passive voice when the doer of the action is important: If the doer of the action is important or relevant to the sentence, use active voice to make it clear who performed the action.
Use passive voice sparingly: While passive voice can be useful in certain situations, overusing it can make your writing seem unclear or even dishonest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

A: Active voice is a grammatical construction in which the doer of the action (the subject) performs the action, while the recipient of the action (the object) receives it. Passive voice, on the other hand, is a grammatical construction in which the recipient of the action (the object) becomes the subject of the sentence, while the doer of the action (the subject) is relegated to a secondary position.

Q: When should I use passive voice?

A: You should use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the result of the action rather than the person performing it.

Q: How do I change a sentence into passive voice?

A: To change a sentence into passive voice, you need to make the recipient of the action (the object) the subject of the sentence, and use a form of the verb that indicates the action (e.g. "was called" instead of "called").

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

A: No, you should use passive voice sparingly and only when it is necessary to convey the intended meaning. Overusing passive voice can make your writing seem unclear or even dishonest.

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

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

Using passive voice when the doer of the action is important or relevant to the sentence
Overusing passive voice, which can make your writing seem unclear or even dishonest
Not using the correct form of the verb to indicate the action in passive voice

Conclusion

Passive voice is a grammatical construction that can be useful in certain situations. By understanding how to change sentences into passive voice and using it judiciously, you can add variety to your writing and make it more effective. Remember to use passive voice sparingly and only when it is necessary to convey the intended meaning.