What is Done to Something
Passive Voice
Use the passive voice to express that something is done to an object. The passive voice is especially useful in business situations when the focus is on the product, rather than the person who manufactures the product. The following structure is used for sentences in the passive voice.
Positive Form:
Passive Subject + to be (passive auxiliary) + Past Participle
The world court is rejected by the US despite the US commitment to human rights and US concern about crimes against humanity.
Our operational NGO was founded in India.
Negative Form:
Passive Subject + to be (passive auxiliary) + Not + Past Participle
Our government leaders haven't been charged with ethnic cleansing.
This leadership team will not be reconvened again.
Question Form:
to be (passive auxiliary) + Passive Subject + Past Participle
Was the outcome known by management?
Is that de-escalation technique tested?
Notice that the verb 'to be' is conjugated. Be careful to use 'is' for singular objects and 'are' for plural objects in the present passive voice.
The Use of the Agent 'by' in the Passive Voice
In many cases, the person, company or agent of the action need not be included. This is especially true in general statements.
Oranges are grown in California.
In this case, it is understood that someone grows oranges in California. However, it is not important for the understanding of the sentence to include the agent.
Oranges are grown in California. (by someone)
In the case that it is important to know who or what performs the action in a passive sentence, use the preposition 'by'.
Computers are assembled by Lenovo.
This book was printed by Harper's.
In this case, the company that manufactures the objects is required information.
Passive Tense Comparison Chart
This chart shows passive conjugation for a variety of tenses.
Present Simple Passive
The world court is rejected by the US despite the US commitment to human rights and US concern about crimes against humanity.
Staff communication is suppressed every second of every day.
Past Simple Passive
Was the outcome known by management?
The policy was formulated to address workplace violence.
Future with 'Will' Passive
Will that learning organization be privatized as stipulated by the terms of the loan?
Our lead agencies will be replaced immediately.
Present Perfect Passive
The watchdog agency has been awarded the Civic Achievement Award twice.
This community has been bombed seven times and has lost all essential services.