When is it appropriate to use a passive voice
The passive voice is commonly used in the following situations:
1. When the action or the object is more important than the subject: When emphasizing what happened to someone or something, rather than who or what caused it.
Example: "The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci."
2. When the subject is unknown, irrelevant, or obvious: When it is not necessary or important to mention who or what performed the action.
Example: "My phone was stolen."
3. When discussing general truths or scientific facts: In scientific or academic writing, the passive voice is often used to present information in an objective and impersonal manner.
Example: "Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen."
4. When aiming to be tactful or diplomatic: The passive voice can be used to avoid directly blaming or accusing someone for their actions.
Example: "Mistakes were made."
5. In specific professional or technical writing: The passive voice is often used in technical manuals, instructions, or legal documents to maintain clarity and objectivity.
Example: "The contract will be signed by both parties."
However, it is important to note that the passive voice should not be used excessively or as a way to avoid responsibility. In most cases, using the active voice is preferred for clear and direct communication.
The passive voice is used in writing or speaking when the focus is on the action being performed rather than the subject who is performing the action. It is appropriate to use the passive voice in the following situations:
1. When the subject is unknown or unimportant: In some cases, the person performing the action is unknown or may not be relevant to the message you want to convey. For example, "Mistakes were made" instead of "Someone made mistakes."
2. When the attention is on the object or the result of the action: If you want to emphasize the object or the result of the action instead of the person performing it, the passive voice can be useful. For instance, "The building was damaged by the storm" rather than "The storm damaged the building."
3. When discussing general truths or rules: The passive voice can be used to state general truths or rules in a neutral manner. For example, "Bicycles are not allowed inside the building" instead of "We do not allow bicycles inside the building."
4. When the action occurred before the subject: Sometimes it is more logical to describe an action that occurred before the subject is introduced. In such cases, the passive voice can be used. For instance, "The cake was eaten before I arrived."
However, it is important to note that using the passive voice excessively or inappropriately can make writing less direct and clear. It is generally recommended to use the active voice whenever possible as it is more engaging and concise.
The passive voice is appropriate to use in certain situations. Here are a few instances where using passive voice can be suitable:
1. When the emphasis should be on the recipient of the action rather than the doer:
- "The cake was baked by Mary" (passive voice) instead of "Mary baked the cake" (active voice)
2. When the doer is unknown or unimportant:
- "The window was broken" (passive voice) instead of "Someone broke the window" (active voice)
3. When discussing general truths or observations:
- "Cigarettes are smoked by millions of people worldwide" (passive voice) instead of "Millions of people worldwide smoke cigarettes" (active voice)
4. When discussing scientific or academic writing:
- "The data was analyzed using statistical methods" (passive voice) instead of "We analyzed the data using statistical methods" (active voice)
5. When trying to soften the impact or avoid attributing blame:
- "Mistakes were made" (passive voice) instead of "I made mistakes" (active voice)
Remember that while passive voice has its uses, it's generally recommended to use active voice as much as possible to make writing more direct and engaging.