Passives

In grammar, "passives" refers to verb constructions where the subject undergoes the action of the verb, rather than performing it. This contrasts with the active voice, where the subject *performs* the action. passives are formed using a form of the verb "to be" (is, are, was, were, been, being) plus the past participle of the main verb. They are often used to emphasize the action itself or the recipient of the action, rather than the agent (the doer). While sometimes useful, overuse can make writing sound wordy and indirect. passives can also be used when the agent is unknown or unimportant.

Passives meaning with examples

• The ancient manuscript *was discovered* in a hidden chamber. (Focus is on the manuscript and the act of discovery, agent unknown). It's unclear who found it, but the fact of its unearthing is the key piece of information. The passive voice highlights the object experiencing the action, making the sentence succinct and compelling when an actor is not necessary.
• The investigation *is being conducted* by a specialized team. (Emphasizes the ongoing investigation). The use of "by" identifies the agents, however, the main focus remains on the investigative process itself, its progress and how it is being handled in real time rather than who exactly is doing the investigation.
• The building *was damaged* by the storm. (Focuses on the building's condition). We know the storm caused the damage. The impact is put directly on the object, thus reducing the focus on the storm itself. Without knowing who or what caused it, we still know that there has been damage and that the building is impacted.
• Mistakes *were made*. (The agent is vague and avoids assigning blame). This statement focuses solely on the fact that mistakes occurred without specifying who made them, protecting the agent from criticism and is commonly used in official reports and press statements.