Passive verbs are used in the passive voice, where the subject is acted upon. They have been used since the 14th century and their use depends on various factors. Some discourage their use, but they have their uses, such as in cases where the subject is unknown or to place emphasis on the object. “Mistakes have been made” is a classic example of their use in politics and business.
In English, passive verbs are used in the construction of the sentence known as the passive voice. In the passive voice, the subject of a sentence is acted upon, rather than act, and often appears at the end of the sentence. It is distinguished from the active voice, in which the subject of a sentence performs an action. Examples of passive verbs include “was erased,” “had been seen,” and “are remembered.” Alternative and active versions of these verbs would be “delete”, “seen” and “remember”, each preceded by the subject of the sentence.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a primary resource on the use of English, passive verbs have been in use since at least the 14th century. In the previous sentence, the sentence “were in use” uses the passive voice. An alternative sentence using active verbs might be: “English speakers have used passive verbs.” Choosing whether to use passive or active verbs depends on many factors. These include the importance of the subject and personal or professional stylistic preferences.
Some language guides and organizations actively discourage the use of passive verbs. For example, the classic text The Elements of Style, first published in 1918, favors the active voice over the passive one, saying it is “more direct and forceful.” However, note that the passive voice has its uses. Conversely, some companies, such as newspapers and online content providers, strongly frown on passive verbs or ban them completely. Ironically, this can sometimes lead to production delays and awkward wording.
The sentence “The shop has been robbed” uses passive verbs because the identity of the thieves may not be known. An alternative active sentence, “Thieves robbed the store,” is redundant and embarrassing. Even if the thieves have been identified, the writer can choose the passive voice to place the emphasis on the store, not the criminals. In case of their capture, the writer might say, “The thieves have been caught,” because it is obvious that they have been caught by the police.
A classic example of the use of passive verbs is the sentence “Mistakes have been made.” This phrase is commonly used in politics and business, particularly when a public figure has been caught out. It allows the speaker to ostensibly express regret without actually admitting any guilt. Neither the speaker nor anyone else is identified as guilty, and the act itself is not identified. This is a protective measure in case the speaker is later the subject of a legal investigation.
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