PASSIVE VOICE

We use the passive voice: • When we want to focus on the result

or receiver of the action.• When the performer of the action is

unknown.• When the performer of the action is

obvious.• When we want to give the sentence a

more formal, impersonal tone.• When we want to emphasize the

action, not the performer.

We usually include the agent: • When the performer of the action is

surprising or unexpected.• When the performer of the action adds

important information.• When it completes the meaning of the

sentence.• When it is inanimate or nonhuman.• When it is a proper name.

We usually omit the agent: • When the performer of the action is

unknown.• When the performer of the action is

obvious.• When the subject is a pronoun, as it

doesn’t give us much information.• When the subject is too general.• When we want to avoid blame.• When it’s not important.