Grammar for IELTS - When to use the passive voice

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most important test to take when planning to study, work or migrate in any English-speaking country. Therefore, when preparing for the IELTS test and to score higher in the same, it is good to use correct grammar, including the passive voice, which plays a crucial role in achieving success in the International English language testing system (IELTS) test.

Understanding when and how to use the passive voice effectively can improve your writing skills for the IELTS Writing test. In this blog, we will explore the appropriate situations in which the passive voice can be used. By using the passive voice, you can increase the quality of your writing and maximise your chances of achieving a high score on the test.

What is a voice in grammar?

In grammar, voice is how a verb shows who is doing the action (or being in a certain state) and who is affected by it (like the subject or object). Voice is of two types: Active and Passive. When a sentence is in the active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action (for example, "She wrote the letter"). In contrast, in the passive voice, the subject receives the action (for example, "The letter was written").

When should you use the passive voice and how should you form it?

Now that you understand what we mean by 'passive voice,' let's talk about when and how to use it. Basically, we use the passive voice when we want to draw attention to the person or thing that is affected by the action. In the example "The letter was written," we focus on the letter. As you may have noticed, we create the passive voice by using the word 'be' (in the right tense) and the past participle of the verb (like written, invited, stolen, etc.). So, when should you use the passive voice instead of the active voice? Here are some common situations where the passive voice is used:

1. When we don't know who did it

Example: Throughout history, we have captured animals and placed them in zoos for our amusement.

2. When it's obvious who did it

Example: I recently quit my job because I was paid less than my male colleagues, even though they had less experience than me.

3. When it's not important to know who did it

Example: Many people in western countries are unaware that their fancy clothes are mostly made in poor, rural areas overseas.

4. When people in general do it

Example: Nowadays, most movies and TV shows can be streamed online. Please note that when using the passive voice, we can leave out the doer (the person who does something), as shown in the examples above. Alternatively, we can mention the doer using a prepositional phrase (by + doer) if the doer is significant:Example: One of the best gifts I have ever received was a necklace given to me by my grandmother.

Which tenses you can use in the passive voice?

You can use the passive voice with all tenses. Here are some common examples:

It's important to note that you don't use the passive voice with intransitive verbs (like "She died," not "She was died."). And when talking about someone's birth, we use the past form of "be" + "born" (for example, "He was born in Scotland," not "He is born in Scotland").

In the IELTS Speaking and Writing modules, you can use the passive voice just like in real life. However, remember that the passive voice is more commonly used in writing than in speaking. In fact, in Writing Task 1, you may need to use this structure frequently, especially when describing a process (like "The materials are then taken to the recycling plant."). If you feel you need more practice in this area, make sure to allocate some time to focus on improving your grammar while preparing for the IELTS.

Additionally, if you want to know more about the IELTS test registration process and IELTS preparation, you can visit your nearest IDP IELTS test centres for the same.

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