Passive Sentence - Glossary of Terms
Passive Sentence
In a passive sentence, the subject does not perform the action in the
sentence. In fact, the action is performed on it.
Examples:
Anita was driven to the theatre.
(In this example, "Anita" is the subject of the sentence - subject of the verb "was". However, she did not perform the
action of the verb "to drive". The action was done to her; she was the
recipient of the action.)
Nowadays, kites are protected.
("kites" - passive subject, i.e., the action is being done to them)
The
olives are stoned and crushed in this area.
("olives" - passive subject, i.e., the actions are being done to them)
In a passive sentence, the person or thing doing the action is usually preceded
by the word "by".
Examples:
Anita was driven to the theatre by Carla.
Nowadays, kites are protected by law.
The
olives are stoned and crushed in this area by my son.
The opposite of a passive sentence is an active sentence, in which the subject
does perform the action of the verb.
Interactive example:
| Russell will be identified by the
local postman. [convert to
an active sentence] |
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Many companies do not like their staff to write using passive sentences.
Therefore, a number of grammar checkers will often suggest an active version of
your passive sentence. However, if you prefer the passive version, stick with
it.
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Glossary of Grammatical Terms
