When to Use Passive Voice

The passive voice often gets a bad reputation in academic writing. Critics frequently tout the mantra, “Avoid passive voice!” They argue that it is weak, indirect, and confusing. Yet, when used judiciously and combined with the right transition words, passive voice can be a powerful tool in writing. It is all about understanding when and how to use it effectively. Let’s explore the concept in detail.

What is Passive Voice

In grammar, passive voice is a verb form in which the subject receives the action of the verb. It contrasts with the active voice, where the subject performs the action. Passive constructions are formed using the verb “to be” + the past participle of the main verb.

Examples of Passive Voice vs. Active Voice

Active: The cheetah chased the deer. 

Passive: The deer was chased by the cheetah.

Active: The student wrote the paper. 

Passive: The paper was written by the student.

Active: The cleaner will clean the room. 

Passive: The room will be cleaned by the cleaner.

In the passive voice examples, the focus shifts from the doer of the action (the cheetah, the student, the cleaner) to the recipient or target of the action (the deer, the paper, the room).

The Difference Between Passive Voice and Active Voice 

In English grammar, voice refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence, specifically in terms of action. The two primary voices in English are the active and passive voices. Here is an overview of the differences between them:

Active Voice

• In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action denoted by the verb.
• The structure typically follows: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Object].
• Example: “The cheetah (subject) chased (verb) the deer (object).”

Passive Voice

• In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb or receives the action.
• The agent performing the action may be omitted or introduced by the preposition “by.”
• The structure typically follows [Subject] + [form of “be” verb] + [Past Participle] + (by + [Agent]).
• Example: “The deer (subject) was chased (a form of “be” verb + past participle) by the cheetah (agent).”

Types of Passive Voice

There are several types of passive voice, each corresponding to different tenses and aspects in the active voice. Make sure to take care of first person pronouns while writing these sentences. Here are the main types:

Simple Present Passive

The action is in the present, but the doer isn’t specified.

Active: They clean the car.

Passive: The car is cleaned.

Present Continuous Passive

An ongoing action in the present, in passive form.

Active: They are cleaning the car.

Passive: The car is being cleaned.

Simple Past Passive

An action that was done in the past.

Active: They cleaned the car.

Passive: The car was cleaned.

Past Continuous Passive

An ongoing action in the past, in passive form.

Active: They were cleaning the car.

Passive: The car was being cleaned.

Present Perfect Passive

An action that has recently been completed.

Active: They have cleaned the car.

Passive: The car has been cleaned.

Past Perfect Passive

An action that had been completed before another past action.

Active: They had cleaned the car before the guests arrived.

Passive: The car had been cleaned before guests arrived.

Simple Future Passive

An action that will be done in the future.

Active: They will clean the car.

Passive: The car will be cleaned.

Future Perfect Passive

An action that will be finished at some future point.

Active: They will have cleaned the car by then.

Passive: The car will have been cleaned by then.

Modal Verbs Passive

Passive sentences that include modal verbs like can, could, should, might, etc.

Active: They can clean the car.

Passive: The car can be cleaned.

How to Avoid Passive Voice Words

Avoiding passive voice can make your writing clearer and more direct. Here are some strategies and tips, integral to the academic writing process, to help you avoid passive voice:

Understand the Difference

Active voice: The subject performs the action.

Example: I cleaned the room.

Passive voice: The subject is acted upon.

Example: The room was cleaned by me.

Identify Passive Voice

Look for forms of “to be” verbs (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) followed by a past participle (often ending in -ed). For instance, “The book was read by Mary.”

Ask, ‘Who Did What?’

To shift from passive to active, ask yourself who is performing the action. This can help you identify the true subject and rewrite the sentence.

Passive: A solution was discovered.

Active: The scientist discovered a solution.

Limit Use of “By” Phrases

Passive constructions often include “by” phrases to indicate the doer of the action. Reduce these phrases to shift to active voice.

Passive: The painting was admired by everyone.

Active: Everyone admired the painting.

Rearrange the Sentence

You can often convert a passive sentence to an active one by rearranging the order of words, placing the “actor” or “doer” of the action as the subject.

Passive: The keys were lost by John.

Active: John lost the keys.

Use Active Verbs

Opt for strong, direct verbs instead of passive constructions.

Passive: A decision was made.

Active: We decided.

Stay Aware

Be conscious of passive voice while writing. Over time, recognising and avoiding it, along with other potential taboo words, will become second nature.

Use a Tool

Many word processing software and online grammar checkers have built-in features that can highlight passive voice.

Do Not Always Avoid Passive Voice

There are times when passive voice is appropriate or even preferable. For example, when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or irrelevant:

• The artifact was discovered in 1923.
• Many languages are spoken in the region.

Edit and Revise

After writing, take the time to review and identify any passive constructions. This gives you a chance to convert them to active voice where appropriate.

Practice

The more you practice rewriting passive sentences into active ones, the more naturally you will gravitate towards active constructions in your initial writing.

When and How to Use Passive Voice

Using passive voice in writing can be debated among linguists, writers, and educators. While over-relying on passive voice can make writing seem detached or impersonal, sometimes it’s appropriate and effective. Here are some instances when using passive voice might be fitting:

Emphasise the Action, Not the Actor

You might opt for passive voice if the action is more important than the person or entity performing it.

“A cure for the disease was discovered.” (It is more important that the cure was found than who found it.)

The Actor is Unknown or Irrelevant

When we don’t know who the actor is, or it is not relevant to the context.

“The pyramids were built thousands of years ago.” (We do not know specifically who built them.)

Desire for Impersonality or Formality

Scientific writing, technical reports, and some bureaucratic documents often use passive voice to sound objective or neutral.

“The experiment was conducted using a 5% saline solution.”

To be Diplomatic or Tactful

Instead of placing blame, passive voice can deflect attention from the responsible party.

“Mistakes were made.” (Instead of saying, “He/She made mistakes.”)

Varied Sentence Structure

To vary sentence structure and avoid monotony, writers might use passive voice alongside active voice.

“While the novel was universally praised, the author remained a mystery.”

Descriptive Writing

In some narratives, like descriptive essays, the passive can create a particular mood or tone.

“The town was enveloped by a thick, eerie fog.”

Focus on the Recipient

In cases where the focus is on the recipient of an action rather than the doer.

“The award was received by Julia.”

Chronological or Sequential Descriptions

In procedures or sequences where the emphasis is on the process.

“The eggs are beaten until they are frothy, then sugar is gradually added.”

Use of Passive Voice Words in Academic Writing 

Passive voice has a particular place in academic writing, and its usage can vary based on discipline, writing conventions, and the intended effect of the prose. In some contexts, the passive voice is favoured, while in others, the active voice is preferred. Here is an overview of how passive voice functions in academic writing:

Objectivity and Impersonality

In many scientific and technical disciplines, passive voice is used to create an objective tone, reducing the emphasis on the researcher and highlighting the process or results.

• Instead of: “We measured the pH of the solution.”
• Use: “The pH of the solution was measured.”

Highlighting Results Over Process

Passive voice can help foreground the findings or results of research over the specific actions of the researcher.

• Instead of: “I analysed the data and found…”
• Use: “The data was analysed, and it was found…”

When the ‘Doer’ is Irrelevant

Especially in lab reports or scientific writing, the specific agent (often the researcher) might be irrelevant to the audience.

• “Several tests were conducted to determine…”

Ambiguity

In situations where assigning specific responsibility isn’t possible or desired, passive voice offers a way to discuss events or findings without naming an agent.

• “Mistakes were made in the calculation.” (This avoids pinpointing blame.)

Consistency

Maintaining that voice can improve flow and coherence in a document or section where passive voice is used for valid reasons.

Established Conventions

Some academic disciplines have established conventions for using passive voice in certain contexts, and adhering to these can make your writing more aligned with expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions