passive voice

USAGE SUMMARY

"passive voice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the action being done, rather than the person doing the action. Example: "The coffee was made quickly." (Passive voice).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does the passive voice underscore the person's passivity?

The New York Times

(Note the passive voice).

The Economist

Also, less passive voice please.

The Guardian - Books

Then there is the passive voice.

The New York Times

The passive voice is used wherever possible.

The New Yorker

(iv) Don't over-use the passive voice.

The Economist

It was inevitable.' " Note the passive voice.

The New York Times - Books

Unnecessary use of the passive voice.

The New York Times - Magazine

The passive voice has been a favorite technique.

The New York Times

In the passive voice, the subject is acted upon.

The New York Times

Another sleight of rhetoric: the dilating passive voice.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the "passive voice" and active voice in your text consciously to create a variable and engaging writing style.

Common error

Don't overuse the "passive voice" as it can make your writing sound weak and unclear. Prefer the active voice whenever possible for direct and concise communication.

Linguistic Context

The term "passive voice" functions as a grammatical term that describes a type of clause or sentence in which the subject receives the action of the verb. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often contrasted with the active voice, where the subject performs the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "passive voice" is a core concept in English grammar, referring to a sentence structure where the subject receives the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While the active voice is often preferred for clarity and directness, the "passive voice" has its place, especially when the actor is unknown or the action is more important than the actor. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain a strong and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passive construction

Focuses on the grammatical structure rather than the voice itself.

verb in the passive form

Specifies that it's the verb that takes on the passive characteristic.

passive sentence structure

Highlights the sentence's arrangement when using passive voice.

inactive voice

Emphasizes the lack of action by the subject, as opposed to active.

being acted upon

Describes the subject's state in a passive construction.

subject receives action

Highlights the role of the subject in receiving, not performing, the action.

to be verb + past participle

Identifies the structure of a passive sentence using the verb 'to be'.

object-focused sentence

Shifts the emphasis to the object of the action, common in passive voice.

voice in grammar

Broadly refers to the grammatical concept of voice, encompassing both active and passive.

grammatical passivity

Highlights the grammatical state of being passive.

FAQs

How do I identify the "passive voice" in a sentence?

Sentences in the "passive voice" typically include a form of the verb 'to be' (is, are, was, were, being, been) followed by a past participle. The subject of the sentence receives the action, rather than performing it. For example, 'The report was written by the team'.

When is it appropriate to use the "passive voice"?

Use the "passive voice" when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action itself. It's also useful to maintain objectivity or to avoid assigning blame. For example, 'Mistakes were made'.

What are some alternatives to using the "passive voice"?

To avoid using the "passive voice", you can rephrase the sentence in the active voice. This involves making the actor the subject of the sentence and using a direct verb. For example, instead of 'The ball was kicked by John', use 'John kicked the ball'.

What is the difference between active and "passive voice"?

In the active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., 'The dog chased the cat'). In the "passive voice", the subject receives the action (e.g., 'The cat was chased by the dog'). The active voice is generally more direct and clearer, while the "passive voice" can be used to shift the focus or de-emphasize the actor.