Present simple

Passive voice

In this, the receiver comes in the beginning of the sentence. Thus, the active voice could be:

                                      L&T built the highway.

This is the ACTOR-ACTION-RECEIVER order. The actor is the important element in any sentence because we are talking about that person, thing, place, or even concept. That is why it comes first.

Then, the question arises: why are we even talking about that ACTOR. Because of the action it performs. That is the CORE part of any sentence.

After that comes the receiver of the action. This may or may not exist. So, it comes later.

The other elements, like TIME, PLACE, and os on can be placed anywhere. This is dictated by what the speaker wishes to stress on.

The passive voice for the above sentence is:

                                       The highway was built by L&T.

Note: In the passive voice, NORMALLY the actor is not mentioned. So, the sentence will then be:

                                         The highway was built.

WHY USE PASSIVE VOICE

The passive voice is used for the following reasons:

1. When the does / actor is not known
2. When you want to be vague about the actor
3. When the receiver is more important
4. When the actor is irrelevant
5. In describing a process/procedure, or in scientific genre
6. General truth

EXAMPLES

1. When the does / actor is not known

The Ajanta cave paintings were made in the 2^nd century BCE. (We don’t know who did it.)

2. When you want to be vague about the actor

The error was committed. (Bureaucratic writing. We are not telling who did it!)

3. When the receiver is more important

The Minister was bitten by the dog. (Obviously the minister is more important than a dog!)

4. When the actor is irrelevant

An electric car manufacturing plant will be set up in Ahmadabad. (Not interested in knowing who is going to set it up)

5. In describing a process/procedure, or in scientific genre

The crystals were washed with a cold solution of alcohol and water. (This is the preferred way of writing scientific papers or even in describing processes / procedures.)

WHY AVOID THE PASSIVE