Passive Voice: 20 Newspaper Sentences Explained

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 48 views

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to transform active voice sentences into passive voice, especially when you're staring at a dense newspaper article? It's a super useful skill, whether you're trying to analyze text, simplify complex sentences, or just trying to sound extra sophisticated in your writing. In this article, we're going to break down 20 sentences from a hypothetical newspaper PDF and convert them from active to passive voice. This will not only help you understand the mechanics of the passive voice but also show you how it's used in real-world contexts. Trust me, by the end of this, you'll be a passive voice pro! Understanding the difference between active and passive voice is crucial for effective communication. In active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., "The reporter wrote the article"). In passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., "The article was written by the reporter"). Passive voice can be used to emphasize the action rather than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. So, let's dive in and see how this works with some examples. We will explore the nuances and practical applications of the passive voice, making it easier for you to recognize and use it effectively in your own writing and analysis. This journey will enhance your understanding of grammar and improve your ability to interpret and convey information accurately. Ready to get started? Let's transform those newspaper sentences!

What is the Passive Voice?

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action rather than performs it. Think of it like this: in an active sentence, the subject is doing something; in a passive sentence, something is being done to the subject. This distinction might seem subtle, but it has a significant impact on how information is conveyed and perceived. Why do we even use the passive voice? Well, there are several reasons. Sometimes, the actor is unknown or unimportant. For instance, if you read "The window was broken," it might not matter who broke the window. Other times, the speaker or writer wants to emphasize the action itself, rather than who performed it. For example, "The new policy was implemented last week" focuses on the implementation of the policy, not who implemented it. Understanding these reasons can help you appreciate why the passive voice is used in various contexts, including news articles, academic writing, and formal reports. Passive voice is formed using a form of the verb to be (is, are, was, were, been, being) plus the past participle of the main verb. Recognizing this structure is key to identifying passive sentences. For example, in the sentence "The cake was eaten," was is a form of to be, and eaten is the past participle of eat. The agent performing the action can be included with a by phrase, but it is often omitted. This omission is one of the characteristics that make the passive voice useful when the actor is unknown or irrelevant. Keep in mind that overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound vague or indirect, so it's important to use it judiciously. Use active voice for clarity and directness, and reserve passive voice for situations where it truly adds value.

Example Sentences: Active to Passive

Okay, let's get to the fun part! We're going to take 20 example sentences that could appear in a newspaper article and convert them from active voice to passive voice. I’ll provide both the active and passive versions so you can clearly see the transformation. Here we go!

Active: The committee approved the proposal. Passive: The proposal was approved by the committee.
Active: The police arrested the suspect. Passive: The suspect was arrested by the police.
Active: The company announced the new product. Passive: The new product was announced by the company.
Active: The chef cooked the meal. Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef.
Active: The storm damaged the building. Passive: The building was damaged by the storm.
Active: The teacher graded the exams. Passive: The exams were graded by the teacher.
Active: The author wrote the book. Passive: The book was written by the author.
Active: The team won the championship. Passive: The championship was won by the team.
Active: The artist painted the portrait. Passive: The portrait was painted by the artist.
Active: The scientists discovered the new element. Passive: The new element was discovered by the scientists.
Active: The government implemented the new policy. Passive: The new policy was implemented by the government.
Active: The construction workers built the bridge. Passive: The bridge was built by the construction workers.
Active: The gardener planted the flowers. Passive: The flowers were planted by the gardener.
Active: The editor revised the manuscript. Passive: The manuscript was revised by the editor.
Active: The audience applauded the performance. Passive: The performance was applauded by the audience.
Active: The detective solved the mystery. Passive: The mystery was solved by the detective.
Active: The company launched the new campaign. Passive: The new campaign was launched by the company.
Active: The jury reached a verdict. Passive: A verdict was reached by the jury.
Active: The firefighters extinguished the fire. Passive: The fire was extinguished by the firefighters.
Active: The voters elected the new president. Passive: The new president was elected by the voters.

Each example illustrates how the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence, and the verb changes form to include a form of to be and the past participle. Practice identifying these changes in different sentences to improve your understanding of the passive voice. Recognizing these transformations will make you much more comfortable with both reading and writing in the passive voice. Remember, the key is to understand the function and context in which the passive voice is most appropriate.

Why Use Passive Voice in News Articles?

You might be wondering, why do newspapers even use the passive voice? Great question! There are a few key reasons. One of the biggest reasons is to maintain objectivity. In journalism, it's crucial to present information without bias. Passive voice can help achieve this by removing the focus from the actor. For example, instead of saying "The police made a mistake," a newspaper might say "A mistake was made." This avoids directly accusing anyone and keeps the tone more neutral. Another reason is to emphasize the event rather than the person or group responsible. Imagine a headline that reads "New Bridge Completed." This highlights the completion of the bridge, not the construction company that built it. This is especially useful when the event itself is more important than who carried it out. The passive voice can also be used when the actor is unknown or irrelevant. For instance, "The museum was robbed" doesn't need to specify who robbed it; the focus is on the fact that the robbery occurred. Using the passive voice strategically can also help to vary sentence structure, making the writing more engaging and less monotonous. A mix of active and passive voice keeps readers interested and prevents the writing from becoming too repetitive. Ultimately, understanding when and why to use the passive voice is a valuable skill for both journalists and readers alike. It allows for more nuanced and informative communication.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you're getting the hang of converting sentences to passive voice, let’s talk about some common mistakes to avoid. One of the biggest pitfalls is overusing the passive voice. While it has its uses, relying too heavily on it can make your writing sound vague, weak, and indirect. Aim for a balance by using active voice whenever possible to keep your writing clear and concise. Another common mistake is creating awkward or unnatural-sounding sentences. Sometimes, the passive voice can lead to clunky phrasing, especially if the active version is much more straightforward. Always consider whether the passive voice truly adds value to the sentence, or if it just makes it more complicated. Failing to identify the actor in a passive sentence can also be problematic. While it's okay to omit the actor when it's unknown or unimportant, leaving it out entirely can sometimes create confusion or ambiguity. If the actor is relevant, be sure to include a by phrase to clarify who performed the action. Finally, watch out for incorrect verb forms. The passive voice requires a form of to be plus the past participle, so double-check that you're using the correct tense and form of the verb. By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can use the passive voice effectively and avoid making your writing sound unclear or awkward.

Practice Makes Perfect

Alright, you've learned the basics, seen some examples, and know what mistakes to avoid. Now it's time to practice! The best way to master the passive voice is to actively work with it. Grab a newspaper article (or any piece of writing) and start identifying sentences in the active voice. Then, try converting them to passive voice. Pay attention to how the meaning changes and whether the passive voice improves or detracts from the sentence. Also, try the reverse! Find sentences already in the passive voice and convert them back to active voice. This will help you understand how the two voices relate to each other and when each is most appropriate. Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you'll become with using the passive voice. Consider joining a writing group or asking a friend to review your work. Getting feedback from others can help you identify areas where you can improve and refine your skills. Remember, mastering the passive voice is a journey, not a destination. Keep practicing, and you'll be well on your way to using it effectively in your writing.