Grammar: Passive Voice Sentence Structure

Passive Voice

Sentence Structure

• In passive voice, the focus is on the action's recipient, not the performer.
• The sentence structure is typically: Subject + Linking Verb + Past Participle
• The doer of the action (agent) is often omitted or appears in a prepositional phrase.
• Examples:
  • Active: The dog bites the man.
  • Passive: The man is bitten by the dog.
  • Active: The company will deliver the package.
  • Passive: The package will be delivered by the company.

Subject-Verb Agreement

• In passive voice, the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action.
• The verb agrees with the subject, not the agent.
• Rules for subject-verb agreement in passive voice:
  1. Singular subject: use a singular linking verb (e.g., is, was, will be).
  2. Plural subject: use a plural linking verb (e.g., are, were, will be).
  3. Collective nouns (e.g., team, family): treat as singular or plural depending on the context.
  4. Indefinite pronouns (e.g., someone, everyone): use a singular linking verb.
• Examples:
  • The cat (singular) is fed by its owner.
  • The cats (plural) are fed by their owner.
  • The team (collective noun) is winning the game.
  • Someone (indefinite pronoun) is knocking at the door.

Passive Voice

Sentence Structure

• Focus is on the action's recipient, not the performer in passive voice sentences.
• Typical sentence structure: Subject + Linking Verb + Past Participle
• Agent (doer of the action) is often omitted or appears in a prepositional phrase.

Examples of Active and Passive Voice

• Active: The dog bites the man.
• Passive: The man is bitten by the dog.
• Active: The company will deliver the package.
• Passive: The package will be delivered by the company.

Subject-Verb Agreement in Passive Voice

• Subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action in passive voice.
• Verb agrees with the subject, not the agent.

Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement

• Singular subject: use singular linking verb (e.g., is, was, will be).
• Plural subject: use plural linking verb (e.g., are, were, will be).
• Collective nouns (e.g., team, family): treat as singular or plural depending on the context.
• Indefinite pronouns (e.g., someone, everyone): use singular linking verb.

Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement

• The cat (singular) is fed by its owner.
• The cats (plural) are fed by their owner.
• The team (collective noun) is winning the game.
• Someone (indefinite pronoun) is knocking at the door.