Study · Academic grammarModule 03
The Passive Voice in Academic English
Level B1–B2
Learning goals
- In this lesson, you will learn how to recognise and form the passive voice. You will also practise choosing between active and passive sentences and using the passive appropriately in academic texts.
Step 1 — Read and discover
Read the passage. Notice how the writer uses the passive voice to focus on procedures and results rather than the people who perform each action.
How a Study Is Carried Out
When a new study is planned, several decisions must be made before information is collected. First, a clear question is identified and a suitable method is selected. The participants are then invited, and the purpose of the research is explained to them. In some studies, questionnaires are used; in others, interviews are conducted.
After the responses have been gathered, the information is organised and examined. Unusual results are checked carefully, and possible explanations are considered. If errors are found, some stages of the process may be repeated. The findings are not always published immediately because further checks may be required.
In a recent study of public transport, for example, more than 500 passengers were asked about their journeys. Their answers were recorded anonymously, so their names were not included in the report. The results showed that delays were reported more often during the morning rush hour. However, the researchers warned that the sample had been taken from only two stations. For this reason, the findings should not be treated as a complete picture of the whole city.
The passive voice is common in this kind of report because the process, information and findings are often more important than the people responsible for each action. However, the active voice is also useful when the writer needs to identify who did something.
Check your understanding
1. What happens before the information is examined?Try again
1. What happens before the information is examined?
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2. Why were passengers' names not included in the report?Try again
2. Why were passengers' names not included in the report?
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3. Why should the findings be interpreted carefully?Try again
3. Why should the findings be interpreted carefully?
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Step 2 — Understand the grammar
The passive voice puts the focus on the person or thing affected by an action. It is formed with be + past participle.
Forming the passive
- Present simple: “The results are checked carefully.”
- Past simple: “The passengers were asked about their journeys.”
- Present perfect: “The information has been collected.”
- Modal verb: “The findings should be interpreted carefully.”
The verb be changes to show the tense; the past participle stays the same. You can add by + agent when the person or group doing the action is important: “The report was written by the research team.” Often, the agent is left out because it is unknown, obvious or unimportant.
Active or passive?
- Active: “The researchers analysed the responses.”
- Passive: “The responses were analysed (by the researchers).”
Both sentences are grammatical. Choose the passive when you want to focus on the responses or when the agent does not need to be named. Do not use the passive simply to make every sentence sound formal.
Key terms
passive voice
grammar structureB1–B2A structure that focuses on the action or its receiver rather than the doer.
“The samples were collected yesterday.”
be + past participle
active voice
grammar structureB1–B2A structure in which the subject performs the action.
“The researchers collected the samples.”
subject + verb + object
past participle
verb formB1–B2The verb form used with have and in passive constructions.
“The results were published online.”
written; collected; seen
agent
grammar termB1–B2The person or thing that performs an action in a passive sentence.
“The report was prepared by the research team.”
by + agent
present simple passive
verb structureB1–B2Be in the present plus a past participle.
“The equipment is inspected regularly.”
am/is/are + past participle
past simple passive
verb structureB1–B2Was or were plus a past participle.
“The survey was conducted in May.”
was/were + past participle
present perfect passive
verb structureB1–B2Has or have been plus a past participle.
“The information has been checked.”
has/have been + past participle
modal passive
verb structureB1–B2A modal verb followed by be and a past participle.
“The findings should be interpreted carefully.”
modal + be + past participle
future passive
verb structureB1–B2Will be followed by a past participle.
“The results will be announced tomorrow.”
will be + past participle
present continuous passive
verb structureB1–B2Am, is or are being followed by a past participle.
“The new method is being tested.”
am/is/are being + past participle
past perfect passive
verb structureB1–B2Had been followed by a past participle.
“The data had been analysed before publication.”
had been + past participle
by-phrase
grammar termB1–B2A phrase that identifies who or what performs the action.
“The article was reviewed by two specialists.”
by + noun phrase
transitive verb
grammar termB1–B2A verb that can take a direct object and can often form a passive.
“The team examined the results.”
examine the results
direct object
grammar termB1–B2The person or thing directly affected by a verb.
“They collected the samples.”
collect the samples
focus
writing conceptB1–B2The main person, thing or idea a sentence draws attention to.
“The findings were published last week.”
focus on the findings
omitted agent
grammar termB1–B2The doer is not mentioned because it is unknown or unimportant.
“The equipment was damaged.”
agent left unstated
passive construction
grammar structureB1–B2A sentence pattern formed with a suitable form of be and a past participle.
“The forms are stored securely.”
be + past participle
tense
grammar termB1–B2The verb form used to indicate time or relate an action to time.
“The report was completed yesterday.”
present; past; future forms
formal register
writing conceptB1–B2Language choices suited to formal or academic communication.
“The responses were analysed carefully.”
formal academic style
sentence focus
writing conceptB1–B2The choice of what information appears as the subject and receives emphasis.
“The results were discussed in the report.”
topic-first organisation
Step 3 — Identify the passive
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. Choose the best answer.Try again
1. Choose the best answer.
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2. Choose the best answer.Try again
2. Choose the best answer.
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3. Choose the best answer.Try again
3. Choose the best answer.
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4. Choose the best answer.Try again
4. Choose the best answer.
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5. Choose the best answer.Try again
5. Choose the best answer.
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Step 4 — Complete the sentences
Type the missing word or phrase. More than one answer may be accepted when it fits the sentence.
1.The questionnaires (distribute) last week.Try again✓
2.The data (analyse) before the report was written.Try again✓
3.All responses (keep) confidential.Try again✓
4.The final decision will (announce) tomorrow.Try again✓
5.The samples have (store) at a low temperature.Try again✓
6.The results should (compare) with earlier studies.Try again✓
7.The participants (inform) about the purpose of the study yesterday.Try again✓
8.The new procedure is (test) at the moment.Try again✓
Step 5 — Choose the best form
Choose the best correction or answer.
1. The survey ___ by an independent team last month. (CONDUCT)Try again
1. The survey ___ by an independent team last month. (CONDUCT)
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2. The documents ___ before the meeting begins. (CHECK)Try again
2. The documents ___ before the meeting begins. (CHECK)
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3. The results ___ in the next edition. (PUBLISH)Try again
3. The results ___ in the next edition. (PUBLISH)
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4. The equipment ___ regularly to ensure safety. (INSPECT)Try again
4. The equipment ___ regularly to ensure safety. (INSPECT)
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5. The missing information ___ yet. (NOT / FIND)Try again
5. The missing information ___ yet. (NOT / FIND)
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Step 6 — Change active to passive
Choose the best answer for each item.
1. “The committee approved the proposal.”Try again
1. “The committee approved the proposal.”
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2. “The researchers are examining the samples.”Try again
2. “The researchers are examining the samples.”
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3. “The team has completed the analysis.”Try again
3. “The team has completed the analysis.”
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4. “People use this method in many laboratories.”Try again
4. “People use this method in many laboratories.”
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5. “The university will publish the report.”Try again
5. “The university will publish the report.”
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Step 7 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. What is the basic structure of the passive voice?Try again
1. What is the basic structure of the passive voice?
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2. Which sentence focuses on the action's result rather than the person doing it?Try again
2. Which sentence focuses on the action's result rather than the person doing it?
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3. Which sentence is correct?Try again
3. Which sentence is correct?
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4. When should you include “by + agent”?Try again
4. When should you include “by + agent”?
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5. Which is the correct passive form of “They have published the findings”?Try again
5. Which is the correct passive form of “They have published the findings”?
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