In sentence structure, which voice is used when the subject receives the action?

In sentence structure, which voice is used when the subject receives the action?

• A. Active voice
• B. Passive voice
• C. Direct voice
• D. Indirect voice

Answer: (B)

The passive voice is used when the subject receives the action. In a passive sentence, what would normally be the object of the action becomes the subject, and the performer of the action can be included with a by-phrase or left out entirely. The usual form is a form of "to be" plus the past participle, as in "The cake was baked" or "The book was read by the students." This shifts focus to the receiver of the action, which is often what you want to emphasize or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. Understanding this helps you recognize why a sentence is in passive form and how it changes what the sentence centers on.

The passive voice is used when the subject receives the action. In a passive sentence, what would normally be the object of the action becomes the subject, and the performer of the action can be included with a by-phrase or left out entirely. The usual form is a form of "to be" plus the past participle, as in "The cake was baked" or "The book was read by the students." This shifts focus to the receiver of the action, which is often what you want to emphasize or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. Understanding this helps you recognize why a sentence is in passive form and how it changes what the sentence centers on.