{"id":8904,"date":"2025-02-26T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=8904"},"modified":"2025-02-19T04:14:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T04:14:22","slug":"passive-voice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/passive-voice\/","title":{"rendered":"How and When to Use the Passive Voice"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/passive-voice\/#What_is_the_Passive_Voice\" >What is the Passive Voice?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/passive-voice\/#How_Do_You_Form_the_Passive_Voice\" >How Do You Form the Passive Voice?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/passive-voice\/#Why_Use_the_Passive_Voice\" >Why Use the Passive Voice?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/passive-voice\/#What_about_hiding_who_performed_an_action\" >What about hiding who performed an action?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/passive-voice\/#Wrap-Up\" >Wrap-Up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Most of the English you speak is probably in the active voice. That\u2019s a good thing because the active voice sounds more natural in most situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there are times when using the passive voice may be the better choice. This article will explain the differences between the two styles and give tips on how and when to use the passive voice naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Passive_Voice\"><\/span><strong>What is the Passive Voice?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sentences in the active voice are more direct and clear, which makes them easier to use and to understand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the active voice, the structure of a sentence is subject-verb-object (SVO). For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tom closed the door.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, Tom is the subject, \u201cclose\" is the verb and the door is the object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In sentences with the passive voice, the structure changes to object-verb-subject (OVS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the previous sentence in the passive voice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The door was closed by Tom.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, the action is more important than who performed the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the second example sounds a little funny to you, it\u2019s because active sentences are much more common. But the passive voice is still useful and important!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_You_Form_the_Passive_Voice\"><\/span><strong>How Do You Form the Passive Voice?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070350\/passive_voice_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman eating a slice of pizza\" class=\"wp-image-8906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070350\/passive_voice_1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070350\/passive_voice_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070350\/passive_voice_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070350\/passive_voice_1-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070350\/passive_voice_1-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To form the passive voice, instead of starting a sentence with the subject, start with the object. Then, add the verb \u201cbe\u201d and use the past participle of the main verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alex ate the pizza. ><strong> The pizza was eaten (by Alex).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Someone pushed the button. ><strong> The button was pushed.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Someone broke the glass. ><strong> The glass was broken.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to mention the person or thing that performs an action, include them at the end of the sentence along with \u201cby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The pizza was eaten <strong>by Alex<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The taxes were paid <strong>by the company<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Use_the_Passive_Voice\"><\/span><strong>Why Use the Passive Voice?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070429\/passive_voice_2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A house in rural setting\" class=\"wp-image-8907\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070429\/passive_voice_2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070429\/passive_voice_2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070429\/passive_voice_2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we\u2019ve looked at forming the passive voice, why do we use it? There are a few reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When we don\u2019t know who performed an action<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When the person who performed an action is unimportant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To hide who has performed an action<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Look at these example sentences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The house was built 15 years ago.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The organization was founded to help the local community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The package was delivered this morning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In each of these examples, the person who performed these actions is either not known or not important to the conversation. That\u2019s the perfect situation for using the passive voice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the first example above, you could also say, \"Someone built the house 15 years ago,\" which is the same sentence but in the active voice. But because we don't know who built the house, simply removing the subject of the sentence by using the passive voice sounds more natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_about_hiding_who_performed_an_action\"><\/span><strong>What about <\/strong><strong><em>hiding<\/em><\/strong><strong> who performed an action?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070535\/passive_voice_3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A puppy looking out from underneath a bed\" class=\"wp-image-8908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070535\/passive_voice_3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070535\/passive_voice_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070535\/passive_voice_3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070535\/passive_voice_3-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/10070535\/passive_voice_3-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In some situations, mentioning a specific person can sound like you are blaming or <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/words\/word\/accuse\/zga0ELstQmCjlQAAAAB7wg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accusing<\/a> them. In order to avoid this, people often don\u2019t mention a person specifically \u2014 even when that person is actually the speaker!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We made a lot of mistakes. [active]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A lot of mistakes were made. [passive]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Caroline spilled a drink on the carpet. [active]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A drink was spilled on the carpet. [passive]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>My puppy made a mess in the living room. [active]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A mess was made in the living room. [passive]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In these examples, the passive sentences avoid blaming someone by simply removing them from the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-Up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-Up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the active voice is more common in most situations, there are still times when the passive voice may be better to use. Learning to switch between the two styles at the right moments will help you become a much stronger English speaker, so be sure to get comfortable using both.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most of the English you speak is probably in the active voice. That\u2019s a good thing because the active voice sounds more natural in most situations. However, there are times when using the passive voice...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":10704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[42,57],"class_list":["post-8904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-tips","tag-grammar","tag-how-to-use"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How and When to Use the Passive Voice | Engoo Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Although the active voice is more common, the passive voice sounds much more natural in a few specific situations.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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