Passive Voice Examples: Learn When and How to Use Them Effectively

Have you ever come across sentences that seem a little indirect, like the subject is avoiding the spotlight?

That’s the passive voice at work.

While it’s common in writing, many people struggle to recognize it or know when to use it effectively. Passive voice can be helpful in some cases but often makes your writing less clear or engaging.

Whether you're a student, professional, or someone who simply wants to improve their writing, understanding passive voice is a game-changer. With a few examples and practical tips, you’ll learn to identify and use it—or replace it with active voice for more impactful communication.

In this blog, we will talk about:

• Clear examples of passive voice in action.
• How to convert passive voice to active voice.
• When passive voice works best (and when it doesn’t).

Feeling stuck?

Try our AISEO Passive to Active Voice Converter—it’s quick, easy, and free to use!

What Is Passive Voice?

Have you ever read a sentence and wondered, “Who’s actually doing the action here?”

That’s passive voice in action—it flips the usual order of a sentence, where the object takes center stage instead of the subject.

For instance, consider this passive voice sentence: "The ball was thrown by John."

Here, the focus is on the ball, not John. Compare that to the active voice version: "John threw the ball."

See how it feels more direct and engaging?

Passive voice isn’t inherently bad. It has its place in writing, especially when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or better left unstated. However, too much passive voice can make your writing feel vague or impersonal. That’s why learning to identify passive voice examples and knowing when to avoid passive voice is so important.

By recognizing passive sentence examples in your own writing, you can decide whether to keep them or change passive voice to something more active. Mastering this skill will make your communication clearer and more engaging, whether you’re writing essays, emails, or novels.

Passive Voice Examples in Everyday Writing

Passive voice is everywhere, often sneaking into our writing without us even realizing it. From academic reports to creative stories, the use of a passive voice sentence can shape tone, create focus, and even soften messages.

But how does it work in different contexts?

Let’s explore common areas where passive voice examples shine—and where you might need to change passive voice to active voice for greater clarity.

Examples in Academic Writing

In academic writing, passive voice is frequently used to emphasize results or processes rather than the people conducting them. This keeps the focus on the research rather than the researcher.

For example:

• The experiment was conducted to analyze the chemical reaction.
• The results were reviewed by the research team.
• Data was collected from 500 participants.
• The hypothesis was proven correct after extensive testing.
• The samples were analyzed under a microscope.
• Errors were detected in the initial calculations.
• The survey was conducted online.
• The paper was published in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Results were compared across multiple demographics.
• The findings were shared with the scientific community.

The team shared the findings with the scientific community.

Notice how the passive sentence example draws attention to the experiment itself?

While this approach is often suitable in scientific papers, overusing passive voice can make your writing feel impersonal. Striking the right balance is key to maintaining readability and engagement in your work.

Examples in News and Media

News outlets often use passive voice to create neutrality or to remove responsibility from the subject. It’s a technique that shifts focus from “who” to “what.”

For example:

• The policy was implemented without public consultation.
• The building was destroyed in the fire.
• The fire destroyed the building.
• A decision was made to delay the project.
• The issue was discussed at length in the meeting.
• Mistakes were made during the rollout.
• The roads were blocked due to protests.
• The law was passed without opposition.
• The problem was resolved by technical support.
• The funds were allocated to new infrastructure.
• The report was released yesterday.

In these passive voice examples, the lack of a clear subject can soften criticism or maintain objectivity. While it’s an effective strategy for diplomacy, it can leave readers questioning accountability.

To avoid passive voice in such cases, opting for active voice ensures transparency and clarity.

Examples in Creative Writing and Literature

In storytelling, passive voice can add a layer of mystery or detachment, drawing readers into the unknown. For example:

• The door was left ajar, swaying in the wind.
• The letter was discovered in an old chest.
• The castle was enveloped in mist.
• The treasure was buried under centuries of rubble.
• The lights were extinguished without warning.
• The victim was found near the riverbank.
• The cries were heard throughout the forest.
• The painting was stolen in the dead of night.
• The secret was revealed in the final chapter.
• The letter was written in haste.

The passive sentence example allows the writer to focus on the door and its eerie atmosphere rather than the person who left it open. When used sparingly, passive voice can enhance mood and intrigue, making it a valuable tool in creative writing.

Examples in Business and Emails

In professional communication, passive voice often softens the tone, especially when delivering sensitive information. For instance:

• Your request has been approved.
• The document was forwarded to the manager.
• An error was identified in the report.
• The payment was processed yesterday.
• Your feedback has been noted.
• The meeting was scheduled for 3 PM.
• The issue was resolved promptly.
• The proposal was rejected by the board.
• The contract was signed by both parties.
• The project timeline was revised.

The passive voice sentence feels formal and less personal, which can be appropriate in certain business contexts. However, overusing passive voice in emails or reports can make your writing appear overly stiff.

When to Use Passive Voice (and When to Avoid It)?

Passive voice is a powerful tool when used intentionally, but it can also make your writing confusing or weak if overused. Knowing when to stick with a passive voice sentence and when to change passive voice to active voice can transform the way you communicate.

Let’s dive into the situations where passive voice works well, where it doesn’t, and how to make the right choice with clear examples.

Situations Where Passive Voice Is Effective

1. 1. Emphasizing Action Over the Actor

   Sometimes the action or result is more important than who performed it. In these cases, passive voice sentences shift the focus where it belongs.

   Passive voice: "The vaccine was developed in record time."
   Active voice: "Scientists developed the vaccine in record time."

   Here, the emphasis is on the vaccine itself, not the scientists. This approach works well in scientific or technical contexts where the outcome takes precedence over the doer.

2. 2. Maintaining Neutrality or Diplomacy

   Passive voice is often used in sensitive situations where assigning blame might feel too direct. By removing the actor, you can soften the message or maintain a neutral tone.

   Passive voice: "Mistakes were made during the project."
   Active voice: "The team made mistakes during the project."

   In this passive sentence example, the focus stays on the mistakes rather than explicitly pointing fingers. This diplomatic use of passive voice can be helpful in business or legal writing.

3. 3. When the Actor Is Unknown or Unimportant

   If you don’t know who performed the action or it’s irrelevant to the context, passive voice is a natural choice.

   Passive voice: "The documents were left on the table."
   Active voice: "Someone left the documents on the table."

   The passive voice example works better here if the identity of the person isn’t crucial to the story or message.

Situations Where Passive Voice Should Be Avoided

1. 1. Lack of Clarity

   One of the biggest drawbacks of passive voice is its potential to obscure meaning. Passive voice examples often leave readers guessing about who did what.

   Passive voice: "The report was submitted late."
   Active voice: "The team submitted the report late."

   In the passive version, readers might wonder who submitted the report. By using active voice, you provide clarity and avoid confusion.

2. 2. When You Need a Strong, Direct Message

   Passive voice can weaken the impact of your writing, especially when you want to make a bold or compelling statement.

   Passive voice: "A decision was made to reduce costs."
   Active voice: "The CEO decided to reduce costs."

   The active voice sentence feels more authoritative and direct, making it a better choice for persuasive or impactful communication.

3. 3. Overuse in Everyday Writing

   Passive voice examples can feel overly formal or cumbersome when overused, especially in casual contexts.

   Passive voice: "The coffee was spilled on the table."
   Active voice: "She spilled the coffee on the table."

   In informal settings, active voice keeps sentences natural and engaging.

Examples of Correct and Incorrect Usage

Correct Usage of Passive Voice

• The bridge was built in 1965. (Focus is on the bridge.)
• The package was delivered yesterday. (Actor isn’t important.)
• Errors were discovered during the review process. (Neutral tone.)

Incorrect Usage of Passive Voice

• Passive: "The problem was resolved by the team."
  Active: "The team resolved the problem." (More direct and clear.)
• Passive: "The decision was made by management to cut staff."
  Active: "Management decided to cut staff." (Stronger impact.)
• Passive: "A message was sent to the client."
  Active: "We sent a message to the client." (More personal and engaging.)

How to Decide When to Use Passive Voice?

Ask yourself these key questions:

• What is more important—the action or the actor?
• Will passive voice improve the tone, clarity, or focus of the sentence?
• Could changing passive voice to active voice make the sentence clearer or stronger?

Mastering the balance between passive voice and active voice is an essential skill for any writer. By recognizing passive sentence examples and knowing when to use them, you’ll enhance the clarity, tone, and effectiveness of your writing.

Whether you want to avoid passive voice or embrace it for a specific effect, understanding these principles will take your writing to the next level!

How to Convert Passive Voice to Active Voice?

Converting passive voice to active voice can feel tricky at first, but with the right approach, it becomes second nature. Active voice makes your writing clear, direct, and engaging, while passive voice can sometimes obscure meaning or create unnecessary complexity.

In this section, we’ll break down the process of identifying and transforming passive voice sentences, share plenty of examples for practice, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid.

Step-by-Step Guide to Spotting and Transforming Passive Sentences

1. Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object

The first step is understanding the structure of the sentence. A typical passive voice sentence places the object before the verb and subject.

Passive voice sentence: "The cake was baked by Sarah."

Subject: Sarah

Verb: baked

Object: cake

In active voice, the subject comes first, followed by the verb and the object:

Active voice: "Sarah baked the cake."

2. Look for Passive Indicators

Passive voice often includes “to be” verbs (was, were, is, are, etc.) followed by a past participle (e.g., baked, delivered, written). Passive voice examples like "was prepared" or "is conducted" are clear indicators.

3. Rearrange the Sentence

Reposition the subject so it precedes the verb and object. For example:

Passive: "The homework was completed by the students."

Active: "The students completed the homework."

4. Remove “By” Phrases When Unnecessary

In passive voice sentences, “by” phrases (e.g., “by Sarah,” “by the team”) are common. When the actor is obvious or irrelevant, you can eliminate it altogether:

Passive: "The windows were cleaned by someone."

Active: "Someone cleaned the windows."

Revised: "The windows were cleaned." (If the actor is unnecessary.)

Plenty of Examples for Practice

Here are more passive voice examples and their active voice transformations to help you practice:

• Passive: "The project was approved by the manager." Active: "The manager approved the project."
• Passive: "A decision was made by the board to increase funding." Active: "The board decided to increase funding."
• Passive: "The dinner was prepared by the chef." Active: "The chef prepared the dinner."
• Passive: "The proposal was rejected by the committee." Active: "The committee rejected the proposal."
• Passive: "The book was written by a famous author." Active: "A famous author wrote the book."
• Passive: "The results were analyzed by the researchers." Active: "The researchers analyzed the results."
• Passive: "The house was painted by the team." Active: "The team painted the house."
• Passive: "The letter was delivered by the mail carrier." Active: "The mail carrier delivered the letter."
• Passive: "The tests were administered by the teacher." Active: "The teacher administered the tests."
• Passive: "The announcement was made by the principal." Active: "The principal made the announcement."

Common Pitfalls to Avoid While Rewriting Sentences

• 1. Forgetting to Adjust Verb Tenses: When converting passive voice to active voice, ensure the verb tense remains consistent.
  Passive: "The documents were being reviewed by the team."
  Active: "The team was reviewing the documents."
• 2. Overcomplicating the Sentence: Sometimes, rewriting can lead to unnecessarily complex sentences. Keep it simple and clear.
  Passive: "The information was provided by the consultant during the meeting."
  Active (overcomplicated): "During the meeting, the consultant provided the information."
  Active (simple): "The consultant provided the information during the meeting."
• 3. Losing the Intended Tone: In certain contexts, active voice can feel too blunt or overly casual. Be mindful of tone, especially in professional or formal writing.
  Passive: "Your request has been approved."
  Active: "We have approved your request."
  Both versions work, but passive voice might feel more professional in some contexts.
• 4. Ignoring When Passive Voice Is Better: Not all passive voice sentences need to be changed. Passive voice is ideal when the actor is unknown, irrelevant, or when the action itself matters more.
  Passive: "The treaty was signed in 1945."
  Active: "World leaders signed the treaty in 1945."
  The passive sentence emphasizes the treaty, which may be more important than the signers in this context.

How to Convert Passive Voice to Active Voice?

Converting passive voice to active voice is a simple yet transformative skill for anyone looking to make their writing clearer and more engaging. Active voice places the subject front and center, making your sentences direct and impactful. If you’ve been wondering how to spot passive voice examples and rewrite them effectively, here’s a step-by-step guide.

1. Understand What Passive Voice Looks Like
   The first step is recognizing a passive voice sentence. Passive voice typically features a “to be” verb (like was, is, were, or are) followed by a past participle (e.g., written, baked, delivered). Additionally, it often includes a “by” phrase to indicate the doer of the action.
   Passive voice sentence: "The report was written by the analyst."
   Active voice: "The analyst wrote the report."
   To change passive voice, identify the object, the verb, and the subject to determine who is performing the action.
2. Reorder the Sentence Structure
   In passive voice, the object (the thing being acted upon) comes first, while the subject (the doer) is placed later, often after the verb. To rewrite a sentence in active voice, simply put the subject before the verb and the object.
   Passive: "The cake was baked by Sarah."
   Active: "Sarah baked the cake."
   Passive sentence examples like this one become more concise and direct when converted.
3. Eliminate Unnecessary “By” Phrases
   Not all passive sentences require a “by” phrase, and removing it can make your writing clearer. If the subject is irrelevant or already implied, you can omit it altogether.
   Passive: "The documents were signed."
   Active: "The manager signed the documents."
   If the actor doesn’t add value to the sentence, keeping it passive might be the better choice.
4. Check for Clarity and Tone
   While rewriting, ensure the new sentence maintains the original meaning and fits the tone of your writing. Passive voice examples are often used to soften statements, so switching to active voice might make a sentence feel more direct or forceful.
   Passive: "A decision was made to change the policy."
   Active: "The team decided to change the policy."
   Active voice works well for clarity, but passive voice may still be appropriate when neutrality is required.
5. Avoid Overcomplicating the Rewrite
   Sometimes, rewriting a passive voice sentence can unintentionally make it wordy or awkward. Focus on simplicity and clarity.
   Passive: "The problem was addressed by the committee during the meeting."
   Active: "The committee addressed the problem during the meeting."
   Keep your sentences straightforward and impactful.

Transform Your Writing with AISEO: Passive to Active Voice Made Easy

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Here’s how you can use AISEO to refine your writing:

1. Copy your text into the input box: Paste your content, whether it’s a paragraph or a full document, into the tool.
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Wrapping It Up

Mastering the art of identifying and transforming passive voice sentences can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

By understanding passive voice examples and knowing when to change passive voice to active voice, you can create more engaging and effective communication. Whether you want to avoid passive voice entirely or use it strategically, the key lies in practice and awareness.

With tools like AISEO, making this transformation has never been easier. From spotting passive sentence examples to offering actionable suggestions, AISEO helps you refine your writing in seconds. Ready to see the difference?

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