Page 106 - Real English 2024 Book 8

REAL ENGLISH 8

In active sentences the doer of the action, or the subject, gets importance. In passive sentences,
the person or thing that receives the action is in focus.

When an active sentence is turned into the passive, the object of the active sentence becomes
the subject of the passive sentence.

In the passive, verbs are usually formed using forms of be with the main verb.

A report was prepared about the poverty in the village by the village officer.
(Active: The village officer prepared a report about the poverty in the village.)
We often use the passive form with by when the action is more important than the doer.

Suman’s favourite vase was broken by Arif yesterday.
In this sentence the fact that the vase was broken is more important than who broke it. Contrast
this with its active form:
Arif broke Suman’s favourite vase yesterday.

Here the focus is on the doer of the action, Arif, who broke the vase.
The passive is also used for impersonal constructions with it.

It is predicted that there will be a heavy downpour in the next two days.
It is said that the flood situation will worsen.

The passive voice is used:
1. When the doer is understood.
The thief was arrested. (‘by the police’ is understood)

The marksheets were distributed to the class. (‘by the teacher’ is understood)
2. When the doer is not known.

The documents were stolen. (‘by whom’ is not known)
The lock was broken. (‘by whom’ is not known)
3. When the speaker wants to remain neutral by not specifying the doer of an action.

The chairman was bribed to award the contract to PJ Films. (The speaker either
doesn’t know or doesn’t want to say ‘who’ bribed the chairman.)

The journalists were threatened on phone. (The speaker doesn’t say ‘who’ threatened
the journalists.)

4. When the doer’s identity is to be kept confidential.
It is reliably learned that there will be some changes in the team.

We are told that one of the prisoners has escaped.
5. In all impersonal writings such as scientific reports, formal notices, announcements, news
headlines and so on.
Strike called off
Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
Passengers are requested to proceed for boarding.

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