Understanding Passive Voice in Sentence Structures: Active vs. Passive Examples
This article aims to explore the concept of passive voice in sentence structures, focusing on the differences between active and passive voice through various examples. We will also discuss the rules and exceptions regarding the use of passive voice.
Introduction to Passive Voice
Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence is acted upon by the verb. In contrast, active voice is when the subject performs the action. The structure of a passive voice sentence typically follows: Verb (to be) past participle by (agent).
Examples of Passive Voice
Example 1: Active vs. Passive with Intransitive Verbs
Consider the active voice sentence: 'Grand Canyon is visited by hundreds and thousands of tourists every year.' While the verb 'are' in 'hundreds and thousands of tourists are visiting Grand Canyon every year' may seemingly suggest passivity, it is actually an intransitive verb form which does not allow for a passive construction. This is because intransitive verbs do not take a direct object. The active voice is used here for descriptive purposes.
Active Voice:
Hundreds and thousands of tourists visit Grand Canyon every year.
Passive Voice:
None possible due to the intransitive nature of the verb 'visit'.
Example 2: Passive Construction with the Word 'There'
Consider the sentence: 'Every year, hundreds and thousands of tourists are there visiting Grand Canyon.' In this case, despite using 'there,' the construction is still active as there is no direct object for the verb. The actual passive voice construction would involve transforming the sentence to include an action performed by an agent.
Active Voice:
Every year, hundreds and thousands of tourists visit Grand Canyon there.
Equivalent Passive Voice:
Grand Canyon is being visited by hundreds and thousands of tourists there every year.
Example 3: Viewing the Grand Canyon
Let's examine the sentence: 'Thousands of tourists view the Grand Canyon every year.' This shows a straightforward passive voice construction where the Grand Canyon is the object being viewed.
Active Voice:
Thousands of tourists view the Grand Canyon every year.
Passive Voice:
The Grand Canyon is viewed every year by thousands of tourists.
Alternative Passive Voice:
The Grand Canyon is viewed by thousands of tourists every year.
Alternative Passive Voice:
Every year, the Grand Canyon is viewed by thousands of tourists.
Example 4: The Grand Canyon and Thousands of Tourists
In the active voice sentence, 'Thousands of tourists view the Grand Canyon every year,' we see a typical passive structure where the object (Grand Canyon) is acted upon by the subject (tourists).
Active Voice:
Thousands of tourists view the Grand Canyon every year.
Passive Voice:
The Grand Canyon is viewed by thousands of tourists every year.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances between active and passive voice, especially when dealing with verbs like 'visit' and 'view,' is essential for effective communication. Recognizing these differences allows for clearer and more precise language use in both written and spoken contexts. The rules for passive voice constructions can be somewhat complex, especially when involving the word 'there,' but following the standard structure helps ensure grammatical correctness.
Whether you need to use active or passive voice, ensuring that your sentences accurately convey the intended meaning and action is crucial. Mastering these concepts enhances your communicative skills and allows you to express ideas more clearly and effectively.
Key Takeaways
Passive voice involves the subject being acted upon by the verb. Intransitive verbs do not permit passive constructions. Some sentences use 'there' without changing the active/passive nature. Transformation of active to passive often requires additional phrases for clarity.By grasping these concepts, you can improve your sentence structure and enhance your writing and speech.