Grammar - Active and Passive Voice (Sentences Without Agents)

Compiled from Grammar Builder Book 3

The rules:

1. A passive sentence does not always contain an agent. This is because we do not know who or what did the action.
• Ken’s office was burgled last night.

2. If the agent of an action is unimportant, it can be left out when the sentence is in the passive voice.
• Many people warned us about the dangerous places in that city. (active)
• We were warned about the dangerous places in that city. (passive)

3. The agent in a passive sentence can be left out if the person or thing that did the action is obvious.
• Tony conducts his dance classes with passion and enthusiasm. (active)
• Tony’s dance classes are conducted with passion and enthusiasm. (passive)

4. The passive voice is usually used to describe a scientific experiment or a process. In this case, we leave out the agent because our focus is on what happens and not on who or what does the action.
• The items are packed in boxes before they are sealed and delivered.