Rewriting Sentences in Passive Voice: Practical Examples and Techniques

Often, the choice between active and passive voice can be determined by the context or the emphasis one wishes to convey. For instance, when the action of sending exam results is more important than who is performing the action, the passive voice becomes a convenient tool. Here, we explore techniques and examples of rewriting sentences in passive voice, focusing on a specific sentence that you have provided: lsquo;They will send him these exam ;

Active vs. Passive Voice: An Overview

The active voice emphasizes the subject and the action they perform, while the passive voice emphasizes the action and the recipient of the action. This can be particularly useful in academic, legal, or journalistic writing, where a neutral tone is preferred.

Rewriting lsquo;They will send him these exam resultsrsquo; in Passive Voice

The sentence in passive voice can be rewritten in two ways, as we demonstrate below:

The action will be performed on the recipient: These exam results will be sent to him by them.

The recipient will be acted upon: He will be sent these exam results by them.

Understanding the Transformation

The given sentence is in simple future tense. In the active voice: lsquo;They will send him these exam results,rsquo; the subject (they) performs the action (sending) on the object (him). In the passive voice, the focus shifts to the object (him) receiving the action, and the subject (they) becomes part of the prepositional phrase introducing the agent who performs the action.

Note: When using the passive voice, the agent can be included or left out. Including the agent (e.g., lsquo;by themrsquo;) makes the sentence more specific, while omitting it can maintain a neutral tone. The choice depends on the context and the emphasis one desires.

Possible Passive Voice Versions

In addition to the two examples provided, another possible passive voice version is:

lsquo;These exam results will be sent to him by ;

This version emphasizes the action being performed on the exam results rather than on him or by the sender.

Considerations in Choosing Between Active and Passive Voice

Whether to use active or passive voice should be decided based on the context and the intended emphasis. The active voice is generally more direct and engaging, while the passive voice can be more formal and less direct.

In academic or professional writing, passive voice is often preferred because it focuses on the action and the recipient, reducing emphasis on the doer. For example, in a research paper, it might be more appropriate to say, lsquo;These results will be sent to the participants by the research teamrsquo; rather than lsquo;The research team will send the results to the ;

Remember, the key is to use the voice that best suits the purpose and context of your writing.

Conclusion: The sentence lsquo;They will send him these exam resultsrsquo; can be effectively transformed into passive voice in various ways, depending on the emphasis you wish to convey. Understanding these techniques can enhance your writing and make your text more versatile and appropriate for different contexts.