1. Focus on Results or Processes
Use the passive when the receiver or result of an action is more important than the agent. The passive is often used in descriptions of results or processes involving things rather than people.
- Many homes were damaged by the flood. (The result is more important than the agent.)
- The mixture is boilded before it is poured into the bowl. (The focus is on the process.)
2. Omitting the Agent
a. Passive sentences that do not mention the agent are called agentless passives. They are used when the agent is unimportant, unknown, or obvious.
- Unimportant Agent
Supercomputers were developed to solve complex problems.
- Unknown Agent
This package was left on my desk. Do you know who lef it?
- Obvious Agent
The mall is delivered at noon. (It is obvious that a mail carrier delivers the mail.)
b. The agentless passive is used to avoid very general subjects such as people, someone, we, one, and impersonal you and they. The passive often sounds more indirect or impersonal.
Agentless Passive Active
ID photos are being taken today. They are taking ID photos today.
Calcium is needed for strong bones. People need calcium for strong bones.
Reservations are required. We require reservations.
Parsley is an herb that is used as a garnish. Parsley is an herb that one uses as a garnish.
c. Sometimes the agentless passive is used to avoid taking responsability for an action or to avoid blaming another person.
A Boss Speaking to His Employees
A serious error was made in the payroll. (The boss deliberately doesn't say who made the error.)
Taken from- "Gramar Sense 3B, second edition, Susan Kesner Bland, Oxford Univerity Press" -
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