The Passive Voice

In general we tend to use the active voice. That is when a subject does an action to an object.

Somebody stole my laptop. (subject = Somebody / action(verb) = stole / object = my laptop)

The passive voice is used when we want to emphasize the action (the verb) and the object of a sentence rather than subject. This means that the subject is either less important than the action itself or that we don’t know who or what the subject is.

My laptop was stolen. (The object – now the subject = My laptop / action= was stolen)

Passive: Napa Valley is known for its excellent wines.

Active: [Many people] know Napa Valley for its excellent wines.

Passive: Twenty civilians were killed in the bomb explosion.

Active: Someone killed twenty civilians in the bomb explosion.

The passive agent

When we know who the subject is, we put it at the end with by. We call this an agent.

Passive: The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. (agent =Leonardo Da Vinci )

Active: Leonaro Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.

Most writing instructors and editors recommend against using the passive voice, when possible. The reason for this is that when you use the active voice, your writing is clearer and less complicated.

ctive: While Mr. Taylor was driving down Highway 101, a police officer pulled him over and gave him a speeding ticket.

Passive: While Mr. Taylor was driving down Highway 101, he was pulled over and given a ticket by a police officer.