Grammar - When to Use the Passive Voice
75What is the Passive Voice?
Generally, the active voice is preferred over the passive voice in writing. With the active voice, the subject does the action of the sentence. With the passive voice, the subject receives the action, in effect becoming an object of the verb. Using the active voice makes writing more...hmmm, what's the word? Active! Yes, it makes the writing more active, as it comes more alive! And the reader knowing who is completing the action of the sentence is usually important and something the reader does want to know. Still, there are situations in which the use of the passive voice is acceptable and even more appropriate. We'll look at such instances.
Example of Passive Voice
When is using the Passive Voice appropriate?
The passive voice can be used to take the focus off the subject and onto the part of the sentence that needs to be emphasized. Sometimes what took place is more important than who made it happen. In other words, the recipient of the action, or the action itself, is sometimes more relevant than the doer of the action in the sentence. When this is the case, the passive voice is preferred.
Example of Passive Voice: "Each student was given a chance to improve his or her grade."
There is no action verb in this sentence. The passive construction of the verb "was given" makes the subject of "each student" a passive recipient of the action.
Example of Active Voice: "The teacher gave every student a chance to improve his or her grade."
The point, though, is that every student got a chance. Using the active voice with "the teacher" puts the focus back on the teacher and how great it is that he or she gave the students a chance, when what we really want to focus on is that they got the chance, regardless of who gave it to them. Of course, if we are wanting to point out the teacher's positive qualities, the active voice would be more appropriate, as we are trying to show how fair that particular teacher is in giving every student a chance.
One commonly heard example of passive voice used by the government perhaps is effective in its attempt to avoid blame by diverting the action from the subject. The obviousness of who is at fault is lessened. For example, haven't you heard political figures say, "Mistakes were made" instead of "I made a mistake" or "We made a mistake"? Use of the passive voice here is a great way to avoid blame and almost say, "I didn't do it!" Try that the next time you mess up.
"I'm sorry, honey. Mistakes were made!"
Quiz: Passive vs. Active Voice
Was this article helpful?
I hope this hub was helpful! Feel free to take the quiz, and then leave any comments. Also, check out my other grammar hubs, if you'd like.
More Grammar Hubs
- When to Use Subject and Object Pronouns
Need some practice with subject and object pronouns? Is "her and I" ever correct? What about after linking verbs? Are there exceptions to the rule? - How to Correct Comma Splices and Run-On Fused Sentences
How do you correct comma splices and run-on sentences? This article gives four different ways to fix these errors, as well as tips to help yourself recognize these major sentence level errors. - Confusing Misspelled Homophones -- Your/You're, Its/It's, To/Too, and More Pairs!
Test your knowledge of the most common words that sound alike but are spelled differently. Here are five of the most commonly misspelled sets of homophones, including your/you're, their/there/they're, and to/too. - Showing Possession - How to Use Apostrophes to Show Ownership
This lesson will review how to use apostrophes to show possession. We will review singular and plural possessives, as well as the usage of possessive pronouns. - 10 Commonly Misused Words - Verb Usage and More
This grammar geek hates to hear language used incorrectly. Here are ten commonly misused verbs and other words that I hear on a daily basis. It's my hope that I can teach somebody something that they will use.
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Awesome (3)
- Beautiful (1)
- Interesting (3)
CommentsLoading...
I have often found that when I write something lengthy, I slip into a passive voice. It always sounds so weak and is easy to hear and correct when I read my words out loud. Now, if only politicians listened to themselves perhaps they would realize how weak and ineffective they all sound.
Real Housewife--you're funny! Love your comments. I, too, really like the idea of using the "Mistakes were made" comment in regard to my personal life. :-)
ktrapp--I can see how reading out loud would help. Funny comment about politicians...so true!
A very useful Hub, since we are all writers!
Thank you.
Glad you think so, Will! Thanks! :-)
This is really great ...Nice article
Thanks, htodd. Much appreciated!
Thanks, htodd. Much appreciated!
Great hub, it gave a better understanding of the term, Thanks!
Glad to hear that, Highvoltagewriter!Thanks so much!
You have hit my nail on the head. This is one area that I really struggle with. Grammar checkers often tell me I have used passive voice but I was at a loss as how to fix it. It was often a matter of rewriting multiple times until I happened upon something it approved of. After reading this wonderful hub, I'll have a better idea how to avoid it and how to fix it. I think I'll try ktrapp's idea of reading out loud. I do it sometimes. Maybe I should do it all the time. Do you have any other hubs addressing active/passive voice?
voted up, useful and interesting.
Homesteadbound--glad it was helpful. I often recommend to my students to read aloud; I think it does help. No, I don't have any other hubs addressing active and passive voice. What else do you think would be helpful? Perhaps a hub on how active is much better than passive?? I'm willing to write another one if I know what the needs are. I get some idea for my grammar hubs from the mistakes my students make in the online English Composition class I teach. I'm glad to do more on the passive voice or anything else! Thanks for the comments and votes!
RealHousewife Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago
Wow! I'll say it was helpful and useful! I have forgotten so many of the English rules - and I am rarely ever passive about anything! Lol. Thanks so much! I had to give you funny too because I was already imagining myself using your idea "mistakes were made" next time I burn dinner! Haha!