Reason for using the Passive voice

1. Passive voice is used when the agent (doer of an action) is obvious, unknown, or unnecessary
                      a. Oranges are grown in California.
                      b. Toyotas are made in Japan.
                      c. Her purse was stolen.
2. Passive voice is used when the agent is known, but the speaker/writer does not want to mention it.
                      a. She was given bad advice.
                      b. A mistake has been made.
3. Passive voice is often used when the agent is very general such as people or somebody.
                      a. English is spoken here.
                      b. The door should be locked at all times.
4. Passive voice is used when the speaker/writer wants to emphasize a result or emphasize the receiver of the action instead of the performer.
                      a. Seven thousand people were killed by the earthquake
                                       • The earthquake killed 7,000 people.
                      b. The professor was hit by three snowballs.
                                       • Three snowballs hit the professor.


Exercises:
The following sentences are written in passive voice. Write the reason why the passive voice is used for each sentence. If you think the sentence should be written in the active voice, re-write the sentence in the active voice. Be prepared to explain all your answers.


1. The bed was gotten out of by me at 7:30.
2. 300 passengers were held hostage by the terrorists.
3. The stage was exited by me only after a long standing ovation.
4. The lights in the living room were left on last night.
5. The house was broken into.
6. I was raised in New Jersey.
7. The radio program was listened to by me.
8. The landscaping was installed by the homeowner.
9. Professor Spence was given bad directions.
10. The computer was manufactured in Taiwan.