Passive Voice (Noun)
Meaning
The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb; "`The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice"; "`The ball was thrown' is an abbreviated passive".
Classification
Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas.
Examples
- The writer deliberately used the passive voice to hide the identity of the person responsible for the action.
- The passive voice was employed to emphasize the fact that the building had been destroyed, rather than who had done it.
- Some linguists argue that the passive voice can make writing seem more formal or objective.
- Many scholars have noted the frequent use of the passive voice in scientific and technical writing.
- By using the passive voice in her speech, the politician was able to avoid directly blaming her opponent.