Passive Voice: Mastering the Art of Shifting Focus

Introduction to the Passive Voice

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action, rather than performing the action. It's a powerful tool to shift the emphasis in a sentence, highlighting the receiver of the action or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. Understanding and utilizing the passive voice effectively can significantly enhance your English writing and comprehension skills.

Key Concepts of the Passive Voice

Formation: The passive voice is formed using a form of the verb 'to be' (is, are, was, were, being, been) + the past participle of the main verb.

• Active: The dog chased the ball.
• Passive: The ball was chased by the dog.

When to Use the Passive Voice:

• Unknown Actor: When the actor is unknown or not important. Example: The window was broken. (We don't know who broke it, or it doesn't matter).
• Emphasizing the Receiver: When you want to emphasize the receiver of the action. Example: The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci. (Emphasis on the Mona Lisa).
• Maintaining Objectivity: In scientific or formal writing to maintain an objective tone. Example: The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions.

Transforming Active to Passive:

1. Identify the subject, verb, and object in the active sentence.
2. Make the object of the active sentence the subject of the passive sentence.
3. Use the appropriate form of 'to be' followed by the past participle of the verb.
4. Add 'by + the original subject' (optional, only if the actor is important and needs to be mentioned).

Analysis and Application of the Passive Voice

Let's analyze some more examples and see how the passive voice changes the focus:

• Active: Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.
• Passive: Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.

In the active sentence, the focus is on Shakespeare, the writer. In the passive sentence, the focus shifts to Hamlet, the play.

Consider these examples where the actor is unknown:

• Active: Someone stole my car.
• Passive: My car was stolen.

Here, because we don't know who stole the car, the passive voice is more appropriate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Overuse: Avoid using the passive voice excessively, as it can make your writing sound weak and indirect.
• Incorrect Verb Tense: Ensure the 'to be' verb matches the tense of the original active verb.
• Awkward Phrasing: Sometimes, a passive construction can sound awkward. Reconsider if an active voice would be clearer and more concise.

Examples in Different Tenses:

• Present Simple: The letter is delivered daily. (Surat itu diantar setiap hari.)
• Past Simple: The house was built in 1920. (Rumah itu dibangun pada tahun 1920.)
• Present Continuous: The road is being repaired. (Jalan sedang diperbaiki.)
• Future Simple: The project will be completed next month. (Proyek akan diselesaikan bulan depan.)
• Present Perfect: The report has been finished. (Laporan telah selesai.)

Summary

The passive voice is a valuable grammatical tool for shifting focus, especially when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when the receiver of the action is the primary concern. By understanding its formation and appropriate usage, you can improve the clarity and impact of your writing. Remember to use it judiciously and avoid overuse, opting for the active voice when it provides a stronger, more direct expression.