Active vs. Passive — When to Use Each

When do you actually need to say WHO did it in a passive sentence?

Notice

  • The email was sent by Sarah.
  • The window was broken by the storm.
  • My car was fixed. (we don’t know or care who by)

Rule

Add by + agent only when it’s genuinely useful information. Most passive sentences leave it out entirely — that’s the whole point of using the passive. Compare: Someone stole my bike (active, doer known) vs. My bike was stolen (passive, doer unknown/unimportant).

Practice

  1. Rewrite actively → passively: “They cancelled the flight.”
    Answer: The flight was cancelled.
  2. This novel ___ (write) by a famous author.
    Answer: was written
  3. My wallet ___ (steal) last night. (doer unknown)
    Answer: was stolen
  4. The bridge ___ (design) by a local engineer.
    Answer: was designed
  5. Dinner ___ (serve) at 7pm every evening.
    Answer: is served

Connect

Practise deciding when to include “by” in passive sentences.

Try Error Correction →

CEFR: Writing — write simple connected text, choosing active or passive appropriately.

Azizul Hakim
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