passive sentence structure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passive sentence structure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing grammar, particularly when explaining how sentences can be constructed in a passive voice rather than an active voice. Example: "In English, a passive sentence structure often emphasizes the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

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Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Passive sentence structures that hid male perpetration appeared in subsequent paragraphs: "...hundreds of thousands of women have been raped in the past decade".

Huffington Post

Baroque, head-twisting sentence structure?

Independent

Likewise, the sentence structure is paratactic: ABCD.

The New Yorker

Pay close attention to sentence structure.

The New York Times

The mathematics of sentence structure.

Cornell University

All these were short sentences studded with the action of verbs and not passive sentence fragments.

The New York Times - Magazine

Two target sentence structures were taught; responses during probe trials matched the specific sentence structure being trained.

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

That sentence structure just flew out the window.

The Guardian

Skilful punctuation articulates sentence structure, inept punctuation masks it.

The Guardian - Books

You can point out how sentence structure works.

The Guardian - Books

Use parallel sentence structure.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the "passive sentence structure" when you want to emphasize the action or the recipient of the action rather than the actor. For example, "The ball was thrown by the boy" emphasizes the ball being thrown.

Common error

Avoid overusing "passive sentence structure" as it can make your writing sound weak and unclear. Opt for the active voice whenever possible to create stronger and more direct sentences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "passive sentence structure" is to describe a specific way of constructing sentences where the subject receives the action, rather than performing it. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples show how it's used in grammatical discussions and explanations.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passive sentence structure" is grammatically correct and refers to a specific way of constructing sentences where the subject receives the action, rather than performing it. According to Ludwig AI's analysis, this term is primarily used to discuss or explain the grammatical properties and usage of passive voice, which is a method where the subject is acted upon. While the frequency of the phrase is currently missing in the provided data, its appearance in diverse sources indicates a neutral formality. When writing, it's important to balance the use of passive voice with active voice to ensure clear and engaging communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passive voice construction

Focuses on the grammatical aspect of using the passive voice.

passive grammatical form

Highlights the grammatical form associated with passivity.

passive voice arrangement

Emphasizes the arrangement of words in a passive construction.

passive clause structure

Specifies the structure of a clause when using the passive voice.

inverted sentence construction

Indicates the inversion of subject and object typical in passive sentences.

object-subject sentence order

Directly describes the order of elements in a passive sentence.

non-active sentence form

Contrasts with active voice by generally referring to any sentence that is not active.

affected subject construction

Highlights the role of the subject as the recipient of the action.

patient-focused sentence

Emphasizes the recipient (patient) of the action rather than the actor.

be-verb + past participle structure

Identifies the core components needed to create passive sentences.

FAQs

What is a "passive sentence structure"?

A "passive sentence structure" is a grammatical construction where the subject receives the action rather than performs it. For example, "The report was written by the team" is in the passive voice.

When is it appropriate to use a "passive sentence structure"?

It is appropriate to use a "passive sentence structure" when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when the focus is on the action or the recipient of the action. This differs from the active voice, where the actor is the focus.

What are some alternatives to using a "passive sentence structure"?

Alternatives to using a "passive sentence structure" include using the active voice, rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the actor, or using constructions that avoid specifying the actor at all. Using the active voice creates stronger and more direct sentences.

How can I identify a "passive sentence structure" in writing?

You can identify a "passive sentence structure" by looking for the presence of a form of the verb 'to be' (is, are, was, were, been, being) followed by a past participle of the main verb. Additionally, the actor might be introduced by 'by'.