Passives

Passives, in grammar, refer to a set of constructions that foreground the patient (the entity affected by the action) rather than the agent performing the action. In a passive clause, the subject typically undergoes the action, while the agent, if mentioned at all, is placed in a by-phrase or omitted. This contrasts with the active voice, in which the subject initiates the action on the object or beneficiary.

Most languages have some form of passive. In English, the canonical passive is formed with an auxiliary be and the past participle of the main verb: The letter was written. When a by-phrase is included, it marks the agent: The letter was written by Maria. Some verbs also allow a get-passive, which often emphasizes change of state or a more informal tone: The letter got written. In other languages, passives may be formed by inflection, using specific verb forms or particle constructions rather than an auxiliary.

Functions of passives include focusing on the result of an action, presenting information without naming the agent, or conforming to stylistic or politeness conventions. Passives are common in formal writing and in media to avoid assigning responsibility. Cross-linguistically, passives exhibit wide variety: some languages rely on explicit agents; others frequently omit agents; many languages also have antipassives, which suppress the object and reduce emphasis on the action’s affected participant.