The English grammar, specifically the intricacies of voice, often presents challenges. Academic writing, furthermore, demands clarity and precision, characteristics often enhanced by a strong understanding of sentence construction. One such construction, the third person passive, provides a powerful tool for emphasizing the object of an action. While some might initially find its application perplexing, this easy guide unveils practical strategies for mastering the third person passive, allowing writers to achieve a more polished and authoritative style.
Mastering Third Person Passive Voice: A Simple Guide
This article provides a clear and structured explanation of the third person passive voice, aiming to demystify its usage and application. We will explore its formation, identify its purpose, and provide examples to illustrate its correct implementation.
Understanding the Basics of Passive Voice
The passive voice shifts the focus of a sentence from the doer of the action (the agent) to the receiver of the action (the patient). Understanding this shift is crucial for grasping the concept of the third person passive.
Active vs. Passive Voice
To differentiate, consider these examples:
- Active: The chef cooked the meal. (Focus on the chef)
- Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef. (Focus on the meal)
In the passive sentence, the meal (the patient) becomes the subject, and the verb changes to reflect this shift. The agent ("by the chef") is often optional and can be omitted.
Why Use the Passive Voice?
The passive voice is useful when:
- The agent is unknown: "The window was broken." (We don’t know who broke it.)
- The agent is unimportant: "Mistakes were made." (The responsibility is broad.)
- You want to emphasize the receiver of the action: "The award was given to her." (Focus on her receiving the award.)
- You want to maintain objectivity: "It is believed that…" (Avoids personal pronouns.)
Third Person Passive Voice: Formation and Examples
The third person refers to pronouns like he, she, it, they, and nouns representing singular or plural entities that are not the speaker or the one being spoken to (e.g., the dog, the students, the company). The third person passive voice applies the passive construction to these subjects.
Constructing the Third Person Passive
The general formula for the third person passive is:
Third Person Subject + be (appropriate form) + Past Participle
The "be" verb must agree with the third-person subject in number and tense.
| Tense | Third Person Singular Example (He/She/It) | Third Person Plural Example (They) |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | He is helped. | They are helped. |
| Past Simple | She was praised. | They were praised. |
| Present Continuous | It is being tested. | They are being tested. |
| Past Continuous | He was being watched. | They were being watched. |
| Present Perfect | She has been invited. | They have been invited. |
| Past Perfect | He had been warned. | They had been warned. |
| Future Simple | She will be promoted. | They will be promoted. |
| Modal Verbs | He should be informed. | They should be informed. |
Examples in Context
- Present Simple: The product is advertised heavily on television. (Third person singular – the product)
- Past Simple: The report was submitted yesterday. (Third person singular – the report)
- Present Continuous: The building is being renovated currently. (Third person singular – the building)
- Past Continuous: The children were being supervised during the game. (Third person plural – the children)
- Present Perfect: All applications have been reviewed. (Third person plural – all applications)
- Past Perfect: The package had been delivered before I arrived. (Third person singular – the package)
- Future Simple: The results will be announced next week. (Third person plural – the results)
- Modal Verb: These items should be stored carefully. (Third person plural – these items)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the third person passive can be tricky. Here are some common pitfalls:
- Overuse: Using the passive voice too often can make your writing sound vague and impersonal. Strive for a balance between active and passive voice.
- Awkward Constructions: Sometimes, the passive voice can lead to unnecessarily long and convoluted sentences. Reword them for clarity.
- Incorrect Verb Forms: Ensuring that the "be" verb agrees with the subject in number and tense is essential. Review the table above to double-check.
- Unnecessary "by" phrases: If the agent is irrelevant or obvious, omit the "by" phrase. For example, "The door was opened" is sufficient if it’s not important who opened it.
FAQs: Mastering Third Person Passive View
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you understand and implement the third-person passive viewpoint effectively.
What exactly is third person passive?
Third person passive is a narrative mode where the narrator describes events through a character’s perspective but doesn’t reveal their inner thoughts or feelings. The focus remains on external actions and observations. We only know what the character sees or hears without direct access to their internal monologue.
How does third person passive differ from third person limited?
Third person limited also uses a character’s perspective, but unlike third person passive, it does delve into their thoughts and feelings. Think of it as a spectrum. Passive offers a strictly external view, while limited grants internal access. The third person passive shows external facts.
Why would I choose to use third person passive?
It creates distance between the reader and the character, fostering objectivity. It can be effective for building suspense, creating mystery, or portraying a character with a stoic or reserved personality. It also works well when you want to present facts while letting the reader form their own opinions based on actions.
What are some common pitfalls to avoid?
Overuse can lead to a detached and emotionally sterile narrative. Ensure the external actions remain engaging. Also, avoid unintentionally slipping into third-person limited by accidentally revealing internal thoughts or feelings. Staying consistent with the third person passive is key.
So, there you have it! Hopefully, you now feel a bit more confident about using the third person passive. Give it a try in your next piece of writing—you might be surprised at how much it improves things!