How to Use the Passive

We use ‘The Passive Voice':

1. When it is not important, or we don’t know, who does the action.

Passive: My bike was stolen (I don’t know who).

2. We also use ‘The Passive Voice’ to be diplomatic and polite.

Passive: A mistake was made (But it’s more diplomatic not to say who did it).

3. When we don’t want to admit that we’ve done something or to avoid blame.

Passive: A mistake was made (But I don’t want to admit who did it).

4. To sound more formal or to distance ourselves from a comment.

Passive: Changes were made. NOT Active: I made changes.

Click on the following links to learn more about the Passive