The Elegance of Passive Sentences: An In-depth Exploration
Passive sentences, often underappreciated, hold a unique place in the realm of language. They offer a distinct perspective by placing the emphasis on the action or the receiver of the action rather than the doer. In this article, we will unravel the intricacies of passive sentences, examining their structure, usage, and providing illustrative examples within a formal context.
Passive sentences, characterized by the object of the action taking the grammatical subject position, serve to shift the focus from the doer to the action itself. This construction is especially useful when the identity of the doer is either unknown, irrelevant, or when the speaker intentionally wishes to obscure it.
Structure of Passive Sentences :
In a passive sentence, the object of the action becomes the subject, and the original subject is often relegated to the end of the sentence, introduced by the preposition 'by.' The auxiliary verb 'to be' in various forms is a crucial element in constructing passive sentences, followed by the past participle of the main verb.
Examples in a Formal Context:
Let's explore some examples of passive sentences in a formal setting, presented in a tabular format:
| Active Sentence | Passive Sentence |
|---|
| The committee will announce the results. | The results will be announced by the committee. |
| The CEO signed the contract. | The contract was signed by the CEO. |
| Scientists have conducted extensive research. | Extensive research has been conducted by scientists. |
| The government should enforce strict regulations. | Strict regulations should be enforced by the government. |
| The architect is designing a new city landmark. | A new city landmark is being designed by the architect. |
Usage in Academic Writing :
In academic writing, passive sentences are frequently employed to maintain objectivity and formality. By emphasizing the action or results rather than the individual or entity responsible, the passive voice contributes to a more impartial tone, often considered appropriate in scholarly discourse.
In a passive sentence, the person who does the action is not important since the focus is on the result of an action.
However, if we want to mention the doer of the action, we can use preposition by before the doer.
Sometimes, the doer of the action is not mentioned.
In that context, the doer/agent is not important. The focus is on the new movie. Hence, passive voice makes a sentence impersonal. That’s the reason it is mostly used in academic writing.
Most passive sentences do not include the doer/agent. They focus on the result of the action in which the doer is both unimportant and unknown.
E.g.:
She was called an iron woman.
The project must be submitted by next week.
In a passive sentence, you can also add the instrument. It is the tool that is used by the doer to do the action. The instrument is preceded by the preposition with or by.
E.g.:
Ice cream can be scooped with a spoon.
The two cities are connected by a toll road.
The preposition in is also used in some condition.
The house is covered in snow.
While the active voice is generally preferred for clarity and directness, the passive voice shines when emphasis is needed on the receiver of the action or when the doer is less significant. It allows for a deliberate focus on the consequences or outcomes of an action.
Despite the advantages of passive sentences, they can present challenges in communication. Overreliance on the passive voice may lead to convoluted sentences, making it essential for writers to strike a balance and choose the voice that best suits the context.
Passive sentences serve as a valuable linguistic tool in formal communication. Their ability to shift the focus from the doer to the action or recipient provides writers with a versatile means of expression. Understanding the structure and nuances of passive sentences enhances one's proficiency in wielding language effectively and elegantly.
