When it comes to mastering grammar, the structure of sentences plays a vital role. One structure that often causes confusion is the Passive Sentences Example. Whether you’re a student learning English or a professional fine-tuning your writing skills, understanding passive sentences can improve your ability to express ideas clearly and accurately.
What Is a Passive Sentence?
A passive sentence focuses on the action or the object of the action rather than the subject performing the action. In other words, the subject of the sentence receives the action instead of doing it. This is the opposite of an active sentence, where the subject performs the action.
Example of a passive sentence:
“The cake was eaten by Sarah.”
In this example, the focus is on the cake, which is the object of the action (being eaten), rather than on Sarah, who is performing the action.
How Does Passive Voice Differ from Active Voice?
Before diving into passive sentences, it’s important to understand the difference between active and passive voice. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| The cat chased the mouse. | The mouse was chased by the cat. |
| Sarah wrote the letter. | The letter was written by Sarah. |
| They built a new house. | A new house was built by them. |
In active voice, the subject is the doer of the action. In passive voice, the focus shifts to the recipient of the action, and the doer (if included) often comes after the verb, preceded by the word “by.”
Why Use Passive Sentences?
You might be wondering why you’d choose to use passive sentences when active sentences seem more straightforward. While the active voice tends to be more direct and engaging, the passive voice has specific uses, including:
Shifting the focus: When the action or the object of the action is more important than the person doing it.
Example: “The law was passed in 1990.” (The focus is on the law, not who passed it.)
When the doer is unknown or irrelevant: Sometimes, the person performing the action is either unknown or not important to the context.
Example: “The house was painted last week.” (We don’t need to know who painted the house.)
Formal writing: Passive sentences are commonly used in scientific and academic writing, where the action is more important than the person doing it.
Basic Passive Sentences Example
The book was read by the students.
The letter was delivered yesterday.
The door was closed by the teacher.
The cake was baked by my mother.
The room was cleaned by the staff.
The movie was watched by millions.
The homework was completed by John.
The flowers were watered by the gardener.
The ball was thrown to the player.
The report was written by the manager.
The house was painted last week.
The car was parked in front of the house.
The song was sung by a famous artist.
The problem was solved by the engineer.
The documents were signed by the CEO.
The project was finished ahead of schedule.
The question was answered by the teacher.
The table was set by the waiter.
The phone was dropped by accident.
The email was sent at 5 PM.
Past Events
The house was sold last month.
The play was performed by the school.
The decision was made by the board.
The meeting was held in the conference room.
The cake was eaten by the children.
The news was shared with the public.
The city was destroyed by the earthquake.
The team was selected for the competition.
The experiment was conducted in the lab.
The car was repaired by the mechanic.
The job was completed by the deadline.
The artwork was displayed in the gallery.
The test results were published yesterday.
The letter was written in response to the complaint.
The wedding was celebrated in a grand manner.
The survey was completed by over 200 participants.
The invitation was sent out last week.
The parcel was delivered to the wrong address.
The design was chosen by the client.
The package was wrapped by the employee.
Process or Action-Oriented Passive Sentences Example
The document was reviewed by the editor.
The software was developed by the team.
The design was approved by the committee.
The goods were shipped from the warehouse.
The order was processed immediately.
The instructions were given to the new employees.
The item was returned to the store.
The movie was directed by a well-known filmmaker.
The news was broadcast worldwide.
The report was analyzed by the researchers.
The law was passed by the government.
The building was demolished to make space for a park.
The task was assigned to the new intern.
The house was sold at a high price.
The surgery was performed successfully.
The cake was frosted with chocolate.
The lessons were taught by a new teacher.
The problems were addressed during the meeting.
The website was designed by a professional.
The results were displayed on the screen.
Passive Sentences Example in Daily Life
The dishes were washed by my sister.
The clothes were folded by the laundry staff.
The trash was taken out by the neighbor.
The food was served at 7 PM.
The room was decorated for the party.
The garden was watered by the housekeeper.
The windows were cleaned yesterday.
The groceries were delivered to my door.
The letter was addressed incorrectly.
The photo was taken by the photographer.
The coffee was made this morning.
The computer was turned off by mistake.
The lights were switched on in the hall.
The furniture was arranged in the living room.
The floor was swept by the janitor.
The car was washed by the mechanic.
The dishes were put away in the cabinet.
The air conditioning was turned on by the staff.
The clothes were ironed by the maid.
The bed was made by the hotel staff.
Education and Work-Related Passive Sentences Example
The exam was graded by the professor.
The project was submitted by the student.
The assignment was handed in on time.
The materials were distributed to all participants.
The presentation was prepared by the team.
The research was conducted over three months.
The essay was written by a famous author.
The schedule was adjusted to fit everyone’s availability.
The lesson was taught using interactive methods.
The paper was published in a scientific journal.
The study was reviewed by experts in the field.
The seminar was organized by the department.
The homework was checked by the teacher.
The interview was conducted by a panel of experts.
The class was held in the afternoon.
The results were analyzed using advanced software.
The course material was updated for the new semester.
The research findings were discussed at the conference.
The certificate was awarded to the top performer.
The proposal was approved by the manager.
Formal and Professional Settings
The meeting was scheduled for 3 PM.
The recommendation was made by the consultant.
The contract was signed by both parties.
The decision was taken after careful consideration.
The email was forwarded to the team.
The report was reviewed by senior management.
The budget was approved by the finance committee.
The policies were revised according to new regulations.
The proposal was presented at the conference.
The meeting minutes were distributed to all members.
The items were packed for shipment.
The draft was sent to the editor for review.
The project proposal was accepted by the client.
The legal documents were examined by a lawyer.
The process was explained step by step.
The plans were approved by the board of directors.
The task was delegated to the assistant.
The case was handled by the legal team.
The report was shared with the stakeholders.
The feedback was provided to the team.
Scientific and Academic Passive Sentences Example
The experiment was repeated three times.
The data were collected over a period of six months.
The hypothesis was tested using advanced techniques.
The samples were analyzed in the laboratory.
The results were presented at an international conference.
The theory was developed over many years of research.
The study was conducted in a controlled environment.
The article was published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The data were processed using statistical software.
The research findings were compared with previous studies.
The hypothesis was confirmed by the experiment.
The conclusion was drawn based on the analysis.
The procedure was followed to ensure accuracy.
The method was explained in detail.
The experiment was set up in the laboratory.
The model was validated using real-world data.
The parameters were adjusted for optimal results.
The theory was challenged by new findings.
The manuscript was submitted for review.
The findings were cited in subsequent studies.
Miscellaneous Passive Sentences Example
The game was won by the home team.
The policy was enforced by the local government.
The invitation was accepted by all the guests.
The fire was extinguished by the firefighters.
The law was amended to address new issues.
The message was delivered by the courier.
The sculpture was created by a renowned artist.
The street was blocked for the parade.
The document was printed by the secretary.
The event was cancelled due to the weather.
Conculation on Passive Sentences Example
Using passive sentences effectively can significantly enhance your writing. Whether you’re working on a formal report, an academic paper, or any other type of content, choosing passive voice at the right moment adds clarity and professionalism. By focusing on the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer, you can shift attention where it’s needed most. With a better understanding of passive sentences examples, you can make your writing more precise and impactful. The next time you sit down to write, consider how passive voice can help you emphasize key points and streamline your message. It’s all about delivering your content with the right tone and structure to connect with your audience.