Language of the Day: Passive Voice

For English learners, it can be difficult to understand when it’s appropriate to use the passive voice. Today’s Language of the Day will explain what passive voice is, when to use it, and give you some exercises to try on your own.

In English grammar, voice refers to the relationship between the action expressed by the verb and the participants identified by the subject and object. There are two main voices:

  • Active voice: The subject performs the action.

  • Passive voice: The subject receives the action.

✅ What Is Passive Voice?

In passive voice, the object of an active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The verb is typically formed using a form of "to be" + past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

Subject + form of "to be" + past participle (+ by agent)

Example:

  • Active: The chef cooked the meal.

  • Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef.

🧠 Why Use Passive Voice?

While active voice is often preferred for clarity and directness, passive voice has its place in everyday communication. Here are some common reasons to use it:

1. When the doer is unknown or irrelevant

  • The window was broken last night. (We don’t know who did it.)

  • The documents were signed. (Who signed them may not matter.)

2. To emphasize the action or result

  • A cure for the disease was discovered. (Focus is on the discovery.)

  • The bridge was completed ahead of schedule.

3. To sound more formal or objective

  • Mistakes were made. (Common in political or corporate language.)

  • The proposal was rejected.

📚 Passive Voice in Daily Life

Passive voice is everywhere—from news reports to scientific writing, and even casual conversation.

Examples from daily life:

  • Your package has been delivered.

  • The movie was directed by Christopher Nolan.

  • The homework was finished before dinner.

  • The car was washed yesterday.

  • The decision was made after careful consideration.

🔄 Changing Active to Passive: Examples

Active VoicePassive VoiceShe wrote a letter.A letter was written by her.They built the house in 2010.The house was built in 2010.The manager approved the request.The request was approved by the manager.We will finish the project soon.The project will be finished soon.Someone stole my bike.My bike was stolen.

📝 Quiz: Convert Active to Passive Voice

Try changing the following active sentences into passive voice. Answers are below!

Questions:

  1. The teacher explained the lesson.

  2. The company launched a new product.

  3. They will announce the results tomorrow.

  4. The dog chased the cat.

  5. She has completed the report.



✅ Answers:

  1. The lesson was explained by the teacher.

  2. A new product was launched by the company.

  3. The results will be announced tomorrow.

  4. The cat was chased by the dog.

  5. The report has been completed by her.

Zach J