The passive voice
Shift focus to the action — essential for processes and formal writing.
Why it matters
Academic Task 1 process diagrams almost require the passive, and Task 2 benefits from it when the doer is unknown or unimportant. Used accurately, it adds range and an appropriately academic tone.
The rules
Form: be (in any tense) + past participle.
The grain is harvested. The bridge was built. The road will be widened.
Use it when the doer is unknown, obvious or less important than the action.
The samples are tested in a laboratory.
Add 'by + agent' only if it matters.
The vaccine was developed by a team in Oxford.
Impersonal passives report general views.
It is often argued that… / It is widely believed that…
Model sentences
- Once the clay has been shaped, it is fired in a kiln at 1,000°C.
- It is widely believed that social media has been used to spread misinformation.
- Stricter regulations should be introduced to protect consumers.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: The water is pass through a filter.
Correct: The water is passed through a filter.
Use the past participle.
Incorrect: The accident was happened at night.
Correct: The accident happened at night.
Intransitive verbs (happen, arrive, occur) have no passive.
Incorrect: It is believe that…
Correct: It is believed that…
Past participle again.
Band tip
Check yourself
Make passive: 'Workers pack the fruit into boxes.'
The fruit is packed into boxes (by workers).
Make passive: 'They will open the new hospital next year.'
The new hospital will be opened next year.
Fix: 'The decision was occurred last week.'
The decision was made last week. / It occurred last week.