The passive voice:
In the active voice, the subject of the verb is the one who does the action described by the verb, and the object is the one acted upon: The waiters will collect the plates.
In the passive voice, this situation is reversed: the subject of the verb is the one acted upon by the verb, and the one who does the action - if mentioned at all - is relegated to a separate phrase, typically beginning with by: The plates will be collected by the waiters.
The passive can be used for a variety of purposes; for example, if the identity of the doer of the action is unknown, if the writer desires to conceal the identity of the doer of the action, as in The vase was broken, or if the writer wants to put special emphasis on the object or the action rather than on the doer of the action, as in The bomb was defused by experts.
Formal writing uses the passive more frequently than informal writing, and the passive is normal style in some scientific and technical writing. However, in many contexts too much use of the passive can seem wordy or pompous, whereas the active is more direct and preferable. Compare: Electrical appliances may be found on the fourth floor with You can find electrical appliances on the fourth floor, or Electrical appliances are on the fourth floor.
Avoid mixing passive and active voices in sentences like this: Our commuter railroad needs more money for major improvements, and it will probably be raised by fare increases. Say instead: Our commuter railroad needs more money for major improvements, and will probably raise it by fare increases.
A less commonly encountered but awkward construction is called the double passive. The writer has inserted two passive constructions close together in the same sentence: No legal remedy was sought to be obtained by the victim. Avoid such constructions and say instead The victim did not seek to obtain any legal remedy, or even The victim did not seek any legal remedy.
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