The Power of Passive Voice in English Writing

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Passive Voice Exercise-3

The Power of Passive Voice in English Writing

In English grammar, the passive voice is a construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action rather than performing it. While the active voice is more commonly used and often preferred, the passive voice can be a valuable tool in certain situations. In this article, we will explore the benefits and usage of the passive voice in English writing.

Emphasizing the Object: One of the primary functions of the passive voice is to shift the focus from the subject to the object of a sentence. This can be particularly useful when you want to emphasize the recipient of the action rather than the doer. For example, instead of saying “John wrote the report,” you could say “The report was written by John.” By using the passive voice, you draw attention to the report, highlighting its importance.

Concealing the Doer: In some cases, the doer of an action may be unknown, irrelevant, or purposely omitted. The passive voice allows you to maintain a sense of ambiguity or anonymity. For instance, instead of saying “Someone stole my wallet,” you could say “My wallet was stolen.” This way, the focus remains on the stolen item rather than the identity of the thief.
Politeness and Formality: The passive voice is often used in formal or polite contexts, as it can soften the impact of a statement or avoid direct attribution of responsibility. For example, instead of saying “You made a mistake,” you could say “A mistake was made.” This approach allows you to maintain a more diplomatic tone and reduce potential confrontations.
Variety and Stylistic Choices: Using the passive voice can add variety and diversity to your writing, especially when combined with active voice constructions. Alternating between the two voices can create a more dynamic and engaging writing style. However, be mindful not to overuse the passive voice, as it can make your writing sound wordy or distant.

Reporting and Objectivity: In academic or scientific writing, the passive voice is often preferred when reporting research findings or stating general truths. By using the passive voice, you convey objectivity and detachment, focusing on the information itself rather than the individual or source presenting it.

It is important to note that while the passive voice has its advantages, it should be used judiciously and in appropriate contexts. In many cases, the active voice is more direct, concise, and engaging. Therefore, understanding when and how to use the passive voice effectively is a valuable skill for English writers.

In conclusion, the passive voice can be a powerful tool in English writing, allowing you to shift emphasis, conceal the doer, convey politeness, and add variety to your style. By mastering the usage of both active and passive voices, you can enhance your writing skills and adapt to different situations.

The Power of Passive Voice in English Writing

Exercise-1
Change the active to the passive by supplying the correct form of be.

1. Tom opens the door. — The door __ opened by Tom.

2. Tom is opening the door. — The door __ opened by Tom.

3. Tom has opened the door. — The door __ opened by Tom.

4. Tom opened the door.

5. Tom was opening the door.

6. Tom had opened the door.

7. Tom will open the door.

8. Tom is going to open the door.

9. Tom will have opened the door.

1. … is 7. The door will be opened by Tom.

2. … is being 8. The door is going to be opened by Tom.

3.… has been 9. The door will have been opened by Tom.

4. The door was opened by Tom.

5. The door was being opened by Tom.

6. The door had been opened by Tom.

Passive Voice

Exercise-2
Change the active to the passive.

1. Shakespeare wrote that play.

2. Bill will invite Ann to the party.

3. Alex is preparing that report.

4. Waitresses and waiters serve customers.

5. The teacher is going to explain the lesson.

6. Shirley has suggested a new idea.

7. Two horses were pulling the farmer’s wagon.

8. Kathy had returned the book to the library.

9. By this time tomorrow the president will have made the announcement.

10. I didn’t write that note, Jim wrote it.

11. Alice didn’t make that pie. Did Mrs. French make it?

12. Does Prof. Jackson teach this course? I know that Prof. Adams doesn’t teach it.

13. Mrs. Andrews hasn’t signed those papers yet. Has Mr. Andrews signed them yet?

14. Is Mr. Brown painting your house?

15. His tricks won’t fool me.

Ex-2

1. That play was written by Shakespeare.

2. Ann will be invited to the party.

3. That report is being prepared by Alex.

4. Customers are served by waitresses and waiters.

5. The lesson is going to be explained by the teacher.

6. A new idea has been suggested by Shirley.

7. The farmer’s wagon was being pulled by two horses.

8. The book had been returned to the library by Kathy.

9. By this time tomorrow, the announcement will have been made by the president.

10.That note wasn’t written by me, it was written by Jim.

11. That pie wasn’t made by Alice. Was it made by Mrs. French?

12. Is this course taught by Prof. Jackson? I know that it isn’t taught by Prof. Adams.

13. Those papers haven’t been signed by Mrs. Andrews yet. Have they been signed by Mr. Andrews yet?

14. Is your house being painted by Mr. Brown?

15. I won’t be fooled by his tricks.

The Power of Passive Voice in English Writing

Passive Voice

Exercise-3 Change the active to passive if possible. Some verbs are intransitive and cannot be changed.

1. A strange thing happened yesterday.

2. Jackie scored the winning goal.

3. My cat died.

4. I agree with Dr. Ikeda’s theory.

5. Dr. Ikeda developed that theory.

6. Timmy dropped the cup.

7. The cup fell to the floor.

8. The assistant manager interviewed me.

9. It rained hard yesterday.

10. A hurricane destroyed the small fishing village.

11. Dinosaurs existed millions of years ago.

12. A large vase stands on the table.

1. –

2. The winning goal was scored by Jackie.

3. –

4. –

5. That theory was developed by Dr. Ikeda.

6. The cup was dropped by Timmy.

7. –

8. I was interviewed by the assistant manager.

9. –

10. The small fishing village was destroyed by a hurricane.

11.-

12.-

Passive Voice

Exercise-4 Define whether the following sentences are True (T) or False (F). Correct mistakes.

1. My neighbor is very proud of her new grandson who born last week.

2. I’m very fond of this old brooch because it was belonged to my grandmother.

3. My family live in Scotland but I was educated in France.

4. I’m afraid I can’t lend you my camera. It’s repairing this week.

5. The bridge was collapsed during the floods but fortunately no one was using it at the
time.

6. If you aren’t careful what you’re doing with that hammer someone will hurt in a minute!

7. The word “stupid” was in my report but it wasn’t referred to you.

8. I’m sorry I’m late. I got held up in the traffic.

9. When did you discover that the money had been disappeared?

10. Children under the age of seven do not allow in this pool.

1. F, … who was born	6. F, … someone will get / be hurt …
2. F, … it belonged to …	7. F, … but it didn’t refer to you.
3. T	8. T
4. F, It’s being repaired …	9. F, … the money had disappeared?
5. F, The bridge collapsed …	10.F, … are not allowed …

Passive Voice

Exercise-5 Change the active to the passive.

1. The company has cut all the salaries.

2. The bank manager kept me waiting for half an hour.

3. Employers must pay all travel expenses for this training course.

4. Do you suppose your brother could have written such a letter?

5. They use a computer to do that job nowadays.

6. During the recession the firm was making people redundant almost every week.

7. Nobody informed the police that there had been a mistake.

8. Where will your company send you next year?

9. The news about the famine distressed Josephine.

10. I’ve still got the camera because no one has claimed it.

11. Has anyone ever asked you for your opinion?

12. The children shouldn’t have opened that parcel.

13. All visitors must wear identity badges.

Ex-5

1. All the salaries have been cut.

2. I was kept waiting for half an hour by the bank manager.

3. All travel expenses must be paid by employers.

4. Do you suppose such a letter could have been written by your brother?

5. A computer is used to do that job nowadays.

6. People were being made redundant by the firm almost every week.

7. The police were not informed that there had been a mistake.

8. Were will you be sent by your company next year?

9. Josephine was distressed by the news about the famine.

10. The camera hasn`t been claimed by anyone.

11. Have you been asked for your opinion by anyone?

12.That parcel shouldn’t have been opened by the children.

13. Identity badges must be worn by all visitors.

Passive Voice

Exercise-6 Define whether the following sentences are TRUE (T) or FALSE (F). Correct mistakes.

1. Steak was eaten by me last night.

2. When we work hard, we accomplish a lot.

3. Jane wrote a very good composition for her writing class.

4. We laughed when the clown fell out of the car.

5. Workers built the road in two years at a cost of five million dollars.

6. The people loved their leader and his mistakes were forgiven by them.

7. The phone was answered by John on the first ring.

8. Paul teaches English in high school and writes short stories in his free time.

9. Most American cars are built in Detroit, Michigan.

10. My uncle worked hard all his life and left a sizable estate when he died.

11. My father and I played chess for several hours yesterday.

12. As we neared the house, a small dog sitting on the porch could be seen by us.

13. Some people committed a lot of crimes in this neighborhood last month.

14. If you studied more, your tests could be easily passed.

15. The students opened their books and began to read.

16. As John approaches his fortieth birthday, he is reassessing the direction of his life.

17. The light was turned on by me as I entered my bedroom.

18. That electronics company is expanding and many new products are being developed by them.

19. Soldiers fought the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

20. Her earrings were put on by Jane before she went to the party.

21. During the war thousands of persons were forced to leave their homes.

22. Claire painted the living room and a new carpet was laid by her.

23. Jack works hard during the week and his free time is spent sailing his new boat.

24. Bob plays the piano and the guitar is played by him also.

Passive Voice

Ex-6

1. F, I ate steak last night.	15.T
2. ?	16.?
3.T	17. F, I turned on the light as I entered my bedroom.
4. T	18. F, That electronics company is expanding and developing many new products.
5. F, The road was built in two years at a cost of five million dollars,	19. F, The Battle of Hastings was fougth in 1066.
6.F, The people loved their leader and forgave his mistakes.	20. F, Jane put on her earrings before she went to the party.
7. F, John answered the phone on the first ring.	21.T
8. T	22. F, Claire painted the living room and laid a new carpet.
9. T	23. F, Jack works hard during the week and spends his free time sailing his new boat.
10.T	24.F, Bob plays the piano and the guitar.
11.T
12. F, As we neared the house, we could see a small dog sitting on the porch.
13. F, A lot of crimes were committed in this neighborhood last month.
14. F, If you studied more, you could easily pass your tests.

A ) Active

B ) Passive