pasiva en ingles
The Importance of Passive Voice in English Writing
When learning English, one of the essential aspects to grasp is the concept of passive voice. Understanding and correctly using passive voice can greatly enhance your English writing skills and make your writing more sophisticated. In this article, we will delve into the significance of passive voice in English writing and provide some useful tips on how to effectively incorporate it into your work.
What is Passive Voice?
Before we delve into why passive voice is important, let's first understand what exactly it is. In English grammar, sentences can be constructed in two main voices: active and passive. In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action, whereas in passive voice, the subject receives the action.
For example:
- Active voice: Tom painted the house.
- Passive voice: The house was painted by Tom.
In the active voice sentence, the subject "Tom" performs the action of painting the house. In the passive voice sentence, the subject "the house" receives the action of being painted by Tom.
Why is Passive Voice Important?
- Emphasizing the Object
One of the significant benefits of passive voice is that it allows you to put the emphasis on the object of the action rather than the doer. This can be particularly useful when the object of the action is more important or when you want to create a sense of mystery or intrigue in your writing. By using passive voice, the focus shifts from the doer to the receiver of the action, making your writing more dynamic.
For example:
- Active voice: The police caught the thief.
- Passive voice: The thief was caught by the police.
In the active voice sentence, the emphasis is on the police, who caught the thief. In the passive voice sentence, the emphasis is on the thief, who was caught by the police.
- Maintaining Objectivity
Another important function of passive voice is to maintain objectivity in your writing. When you want to present information in a neutral and unbiased way, passive voice can be your go-to choice. It allows you to remove the doer of the action from the sentence and place the focus solely on the action itself. This can be particularly useful in academic, scientific, or formal writing, where objectivity is highly valued.
For example:
- Active voice: Scientists have discovered a new species.
- Passive voice: A new species has been discovered.
By using passive voice, the emphasis is on the discovery of the new species, rather than the scientists who made the discovery.
- Adding Variety and Sophistication
Using passive voice can also add variety and sophistication to your writing. It helps prevent repetitive sentence structures and makes your writing more interesting and engaging for the readers. By mixing active and passive voice, you can create a more dynamic and varied piece of writing.
For example:
- Active voice: She wrote the report, edited the draft, and submitted it.
- Passive voice: The report was written, the draft was edited, and it was submitted.
In the passive voice sentence, the focus is on the actions (writing, editing, and submitting), rather than the specific doer.
Tips for Using Passive Voice Effectively
- Consider the Context
While passive voice has its advantages, it is essential to consider the context and purpose of your writing before deciding to use it. In some cases, active voice may be more appropriate and preferred, especially when you want to highlight a specific doer or create a sense of urgency.
- Use Passive Voice to Vary Sentence Structure
To make your writing more engaging, try to incorporate a mix of active and passive voice sentences. This will provide variety in sentence structure and prevent monotony in your writing. Experiment with different sentence forms and choose the voice that best suits the message you want to convey.
- Proofread and Revise
Always proofread and revise your writing to ensure that your use of passive voice is appropriate and adds value to your piece. Make sure your sentences are clear, concise, and communicate your ideas effectively. Avoid excessive use of passive voice, as it may make your writing sound dull and lifeless.
- Read Widely
To become comfortable and adept at using passive voice, read widely in English. Expose yourself to a variety of texts, including books, articles, and essays, written by native English writers. Pay attention to how they incorporate passive voice into their writing and try to mimic their style in your own work.
Conclusion
Passive voice is an essential aspect of English writing that adds depth, variety, and sophistication to your work. By understanding when and how to use passive voice effectively, you can create more dynamic and engaging sentences, highlighting the object of the action and maintaining objectivity in your writing. Remember to consider the context, proofread and revise your work, and read widely to incorporate passive voice seamlessly into your English writing. With practice and experimentation, you will master the art of passive voice and elevate your writing skills to new heights.