When to use passive voice: a list for Grade 7 writers.

📚 What is Passive Voice?

Passive voice is when the subject of a sentence receives the action, instead of performing it. It's like saying, "The ball was thrown by Sarah" instead of "Sarah threw the ball." The focus shifts from Sarah (the doer) to the ball (the receiver). Understanding when to use it can make your writing clearer and more impactful.

📜 A Little History

The passive voice has been around for a long time! It's not a new invention. Writers and speakers have used it for centuries to emphasize different parts of their message. It helps to maintain the flow of information and create a certain tone.

🔑 Key Principles: When to Use Passive Voice

• 🕵️‍♀️ When the actor is unknown: Use passive voice when you don't know who performed the action. For example: "The window was broken." (We don't know who broke it).
• 🙈 When the actor is unimportant: Sometimes, who did the action isn't as important as the action itself. "Mistakes were made." (It doesn't matter who made them).
• 📣 To emphasize the receiver of the action: If you want to highlight the thing being acted upon, use passive voice. "The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci." (The focus is on the Mona Lisa).
• 🧪 In scientific writing: Passive voice is often used in scientific reports to maintain objectivity. "The experiment was conducted carefully."
• 📜 To avoid blaming someone: If you want to be diplomatic, use passive voice. "The error was identified." (Instead of saying "You made an error.")
• ✍️ For variety in your writing: Mixing passive and active voice can make your writing more interesting.
• 🏢 In formal writing: Passive voice can make your writing sound more formal and professional. "The report was submitted on time."

🌍 Real-World Examples

Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:

💡 Conclusion

Using passive voice effectively is a valuable skill for any writer. Understanding when and why to use it can improve the clarity, tone, and impact of your writing. Keep practicing and experimenting with both active and passive voice to become a more versatile writer!