Pasivformen

Pasivformen, also known as the passive voice, is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action of the verb, rather than performing it. This contrasts with the active voice, where the subject performs the action. In English, the passive voice is typically formed using a form of the verb "to be" followed by the past participle of the main verb. For instance, "The ball was thrown by the boy" is a passive sentence, while "The boy threw the ball" is active.

The use of the passive voice can shift the emphasis of a sentence. It is often employed when the performer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or when the focus is on the object of the action. For example, in a scientific report, one might write "The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions" to focus on the experiment itself, rather than specifying who conducted it. It can also be used to create a more formal or impersonal tone.

However, overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound wordy, indirect, or even evasive. In many contexts, the active voice is preferred for its directness and clarity. Deciding whether to use the passive or active voice depends on the specific context and the desired effect.