doer + verb + receiverUse active when the doer is the important information and you want a direct sentence.
Passive vs Active Choice
B1Choose passive when the doer is unknown or not important. Choose active when you want to highlight who does the action.
What you'll learn
- Choose passive when the doer is unknown.
- Choose passive when the result matters more than the doer.
- Choose active when the doer is the key information.
- Put the receiver first when you want it to be the topic.
- Add by only when the doer adds useful information.
Structure
receiver + be + past participle (+ by + doer)Use passive when the receiver is the topic. Add by + doer only if that information matters.
Build a sentence
Context
Example
My bikewasstolen
My bike was stolen last night.
Good choice: the doer is unknown, so passive puts the focus on the result.
When to use
News reports
Use passive when an event is important but the doer is unknown or not named yet. A store was robbed last night.
Processes and rules
Use passive for instructions, signs, and formal descriptions when the action matters more than the people behind it. Payment is accepted by card only.
Direct statements
Use active when you want a clear, natural sentence about who did something. Maria wrote the report.
Markers
unknown doernot importantresultprocessformal noticenews report
Common mistakes
Wrong
Someone broke the window last night.
Correct
The window was broken last night.
The broken window is the main news. The doer is unknown, so passive fits better.
Wrong
The hotel serves breakfast until 11.
Correct
Breakfast is served until 11.
In a hotel notice, the service matters more than the staff, so passive sounds more natural.
Wrong
The new plan was created by Tom.
Correct
Tom created the new plan.
Tom is the important information here, so active is shorter and clearer.
Wrong
English is spoken by people in many countries.
Correct
English is spoken in many countries.
By people adds no useful information because it is obvious and too general.
Common misconceptions
❝ Passive is always better because it sounds more formal. ❞
Passive is useful for focus, not for every sentence. If the doer matters, active is clearer and more natural.
❝ Every passive sentence needs by + doer. ❞
Many passive sentences omit the doer. Add by only when the doer gives important information.
Skills in this rule (5)
CHOOSE_PASSIVE_WHEN_DOER_UNKNOWNw5Choose the passive when the doer is unknown
Use the passive when the action matters but you do not know who did it. The receiver of the action becomes the main subject of the sentence.
CHOOSE_PASSIVE_WHEN_DOER_NOT_IMPORTANTw5Choose the passive when the doer is not important
Use the passive when the action or result is more important than the person who does it. This is common in news, processes, and formal information.
CHOOSE_ACTIVE_WHEN_DOER_MATTERSw5Choose the active when the doer matters
Use the active when you want to say clearly who does the action. It is often more direct in everyday communication.
MOVE_FOCUS_TO_RECEIVERw4Move the focus to the receiver with the passive
In the passive, start with the person or thing affected by the action. Use this when that receiver is the topic of the sentence.
USE_BY_ONLY_WHEN_NEEDEDw4Add by only when the doer is needed
In passive sentences, leave out by + doer if the doer is obvious, unknown, or not important. Add it only when the doer gives necessary information.