When describing actions, we often use the active voice, highlighting the performer of the action: “John painted the house.” However, sometimes the focus shifts to the action itself or the receiver of the action, making the passive voice more appropriate. Instead of always saying “done by,” we can use a variety of passive constructions and alternative phrases to express who or what performed an action. Examples include “was painted by,” “was created by,” “was written by,” “attributed to,” and “the work of.” Learning these alternatives enriches your writing and allows you to convey information with nuance and precision. Understanding these options is crucial for anyone aiming to improve their writing style and clarity, especially students, professionals, and content creators.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Passive Voice and Alternatives
- Structural Breakdown of Passive Constructions
- Types and Categories of Passive Voice
- Examples of Alternatives to “Done By”
- Usage Rules for Passive Voice
- Common Mistakes with Passive Voice
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Passive Voice
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Passive Voice and Alternatives
The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence receives the action, rather than performing it. In contrast, the active voice emphasizes the actor. For example, in the active sentence “Shakespeare wrote Hamlet,” Shakespeare (the actor) is the subject. In the passive version, “Hamlet was written by Shakespeare,” Hamlet (the receiver of the action) is the subject. The phrase “done by” is a simplified way to indicate the agent in a passive construction, but it can often sound clunky or informal. Therefore, learning alternative ways to express the agent is crucial for refined and professional writing.
Several alternatives exist to replace “done by,” each with its own nuance. These include using different prepositions such as “by,” “to,” or “with,” as well as employing verbs that inherently imply agency or creation. For instance, instead of “The report was done by the committee,” you could say “The report was prepared by the committee” or “The report is attributed to the committee.” The choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis.
Structural Breakdown of Passive Constructions
The basic structure of a passive sentence involves a form of the auxiliary verb “to be” (is, are, was, were, been, being) followed by the past participle of the main verb. The agent (the one performing the action) is often introduced by the preposition “by.” However, the agent can be omitted entirely if it is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context. Let’s break it down:
Active Voice: Subject + Verb + Object
Example: The dog chased the ball.
Passive Voice: Object + “to be” + Past Participle + (by + Subject)
Example: The ball was chased by the dog.
Here’s a more detailed look at the components:
- Object: The receiver of the action, which becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
- “To be”: The auxiliary verb “to be” is conjugated to match the tense of the original active verb.
- Past Participle: The past participle form of the main verb (e.g., written, painted, built).
- “By + Subject”: This phrase indicates the agent, but it can be omitted.
Consider these examples to illustrate the structural transformation:
- Active: The artist painted the portrait.
- Passive: The portrait was painted by the artist.
- Active: The company developed the software.
- Passive: The software was developed by the company.
Types and Categories of Passive Voice
The passive voice can be categorized based on tense and the inclusion or exclusion of the agent. Understanding these categories helps in choosing the appropriate passive construction for different situations.
Passive Voice by Tense
The passive voice can be used in various tenses, each requiring a specific form of the “to be” verb:
- Simple Present: is/are + past participle (e.g., The letter is delivered daily.)
- Present Continuous: is/are being + past participle (e.g., The house is being painted.)
- Simple Past: was/were + past participle (e.g., The book was written in 1950.)
- Past Continuous: was/were being + past participle (e.g., The dinner was being prepared when I arrived.)
- Present Perfect: has/have been + past participle (e.g., The work has been completed.)
- Past Perfect: had been + past participle (e.g., The report had been finished before the deadline.)
- Future Simple: will be + past participle (e.g., The project will be launched next year.)
- Future Perfect: will have been + past participle (e.g., The task will have been completed by then.)
Passive Voice with and without Agent
The agent (the performer of the action) can be included or omitted in a passive sentence. Omitting the agent is common when the agent is unknown, unimportant, or obvious:
- With Agent: The cake was eaten by John. (The agent, John, is specified.)
- Without Agent: The cake was eaten. (The agent is not specified.)
The choice to include or omit the agent depends on the emphasis you want to place on the action versus the actor. If the action is more important or the actor is irrelevant, omitting the agent is often preferable.
Examples of Alternatives to “Done By”
Instead of using “done by,” consider these alternatives to add variety and precision to your writing. The following tables provide examples of how to rephrase sentences using different passive constructions and alternative phrases.
Table 1: Using Different Prepositions
This table illustrates how different prepositions can replace “by” to indicate the agent or cause in a passive construction. The choice of preposition depends on the specific verb and the intended meaning.
| Original Sentence (with “done by”) | Alternative Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The research was done by the students. | The research was conducted by the students. | “Conducted” is a more formal and precise verb than “done.” |
| The cake was done by Mary. | The cake was baked by Mary. | “Baked” specifies the action more clearly. |
| The damage was done by the storm. | The damage was caused by the storm. | “Caused” emphasizes the storm as the source of the damage. |
| The book was done by Shakespeare. | The book was written by Shakespeare. | “Written” is the specific action verb. |
| The picture was done by Van Gogh. | The picture was painted by Van Gogh. | “Painted” is the specific action verb. |
| The sculpture was done by Michelangelo. | The sculpture was created by Michelangelo. | “Created” emphasizes the artistic process. |
| The song was done by The Beatles. | The song was performed by The Beatles. | “Performed” highlights the act of singing and playing. |
| The experiment was done by the scientist. | The experiment was carried out by the scientist. | “Carried out” is a more formal and precise verb. |
| The project was done by the team. | The project was completed by the team. | “Completed” indicates the project’s finished state. |
| The report was done by the consultant. | The report was prepared by the consultant. | “Prepared” suggests a deliberate and organized effort. |
| The decision was done by the board. | The decision was made by the board. | “Made” is a more common and natural verb choice. |
| The error was done by the software. | The error was generated by the software. | “Generated” indicates the source of the error. |
| The discovery was done by the researcher. | The discovery was made by the researcher. | “Made” is the standard verb for discoveries. |
| The invention was done by the engineer. | The invention was created by the engineer. | “Created” emphasizes the innovative aspect. |
| The analysis was done by the expert. | The analysis was conducted by the expert. | “Conducted” implies a thorough and systematic process. |
| The investigation was done by the detective. | The investigation was led by the detective. | “Led” highlights the detective’s role in guiding the investigation. |
| The construction was done by the workers. | The construction was built by the workers. | “Built” is the specific action verb for construction. |
| The meal was done by the chef. | The meal was prepared by the chef. | “Prepared” suggests skill and attention to detail. |
| The presentation was done by the speaker. | The presentation was given by the speaker. | “Given” is a common and natural verb choice. |
| The arrangement was done by the florist. | The arrangement was created by the florist. | “Created” emphasizes the artistic skill involved. |
Table 2: Using Verbs Implying Agency
This table demonstrates the use of verbs that inherently imply agency or creation, eliminating the need for “done by” altogether. These verbs make the sentence more concise and direct.
| Original Sentence (with “done by”) | Alternative Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The report was done by the committee. | The committee prepared the report. | The active voice is used, with the committee as the subject. |
| The house was done by the builders. | The builders constructed the house. | “Constructed” is a more precise and active verb. |
| The song was done by the musician. | The musician composed the song. | “Composed” implies the creation of music. |
| The painting was done by the artist. | The artist created the painting. | “Created” emphasizes the artistic process. |
| The research was done by the scientists. | The scientists conducted the research. | “Conducted” is a more formal and precise verb. |
| The program was done by the developers. | The developers designed the program. | “Designed” highlights the planning and creation process. |
| The article was done by the journalist. | The journalist wrote the article. | “Wrote” is a direct and clear verb. |
| The meal was done by the chef. | The chef prepared the meal. | “Prepared” suggests skill and attention to detail. |
| The presentation was done by the speaker. | The speaker delivered the presentation. | “Delivered” emphasizes the act of giving the presentation. |
| The experiment was done by the researchers. | The researchers performed the experiment. | “Performed” highlights the active role of the researchers. |
| The plan was done by the architect. | The architect designed the plan. | “Designed” implies careful planning and creation. |
| The system was done by the engineers. | The engineers implemented the system. | “Implemented” suggests putting the system into effect. |
| The training was done by the instructor. | The instructor conducted the training. | “Conducted” is a more formal and professional verb. |
| The survey was done by the analysts. | The analysts administered the survey. | “Administered” highlights the process of managing the survey. |
| The review was done by the critics. | The critics wrote the review. | “Wrote” is a direct and clear verb. |
| The audit was done by the auditors. | The auditors conducted the audit. | “Conducted” implies a thorough and systematic process. |
| The repairs were done by the technician. | The technician performed the repairs. | “Performed” highlights the active role of the technician. |
| The translation was done by the translator. | The translator produced the translation. | “Produced” emphasizes the creation of the translation. |
| The strategy was done by the consultants. | The consultants developed the strategy. | “Developed” suggests a thoughtful and detailed process. |
| The marketing was done by the agency. | The agency managed the marketing. | “Managed” highlights the agency’s role in overseeing the marketing efforts. |
Table 3: Attributing Credit
This table focuses on phrases used to attribute credit or responsibility, providing alternatives to “done by” when you want to acknowledge the source of an idea, work, or creation.
| Original Sentence (with “done by”) | Alternative Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The theory was done by Einstein. | The theory is attributed to Einstein. | “Attributed to” is a formal way of giving credit. |
| The discovery was done by Curie. | The discovery is credited to Curie. | “Credited to” emphasizes recognition for the discovery. |
| The artwork was done by Da Vinci. | The artwork is the work of Da Vinci. | “The work of” highlights authorship and creation. |
| The invention was done by Edison. | The invention is ascribed to Edison. | “Ascribed to” suggests that the invention is generally believed to be Edison’s. |
| The play was done by Shakespeare. | The play is authored by Shakespeare. | “Authored by” emphasizes Shakespeare’s role as the writer. |
| The idea was done by Newton. | The idea originated with Newton. | “Originated with” indicates the source of the idea. |
| The concept was done by Plato. | The concept is associated with Plato. | “Associated with” links the concept to Plato’s name and work. |
| The design was done by Ford. | The design bears the signature of Ford. | “Bears the signature of” suggests a distinctive style or contribution. |
| The melody was done by Mozart. | The melody is from the hand of Mozart. | “From the hand of” is a poetic way of attributing creation. |
| The solution was done by Turing. | The solution is due to Turing. | “Due to” indicates that the solution is a result of Turing’s work. |
| The amendment was done by Jefferson. | The amendment is the product of Jefferson’s thought. | “The product of” emphasizes the intellectual effort involved. |
| The initiative was done by Roosevelt. | The initiative is named after Roosevelt. | “Named after” indicates a formal recognition of contribution. |
| The theorem was done by Pythagoras. | The theorem is known as Pythagoras’s Theorem. | “Known as” is a standard way of referring to established contributions. |
| The principle was done by Machiavelli. | The principle is identified with Machiavelli. | “Identified with” links the principle closely to Machiavelli’s name. |
| The discovery was done by Fleming. | The discovery is linked to Fleming’s research. | “Linked to” connects the discovery with Fleming’s work. |
| The advancement was done by Bell. | The advancement is a legacy of Bell’s work. | “A legacy of” emphasizes the lasting impact of the contribution. |
| The breakthrough was done by Salk. | The breakthrough is symbolized by Salk’s efforts. | “Symbolized by” highlights the representative nature of the contribution. |
| The formula was done by Euler. | The formula is a contribution from Euler. | “A contribution from” emphasizes the act of giving or providing. |
| The innovation was done by Jobs. | The innovation is synonymous with Jobs’ vision. | “Synonymous with” indicates a very close association. |
| The movement was done by King. | The movement is inspired by King’s leadership. | “Inspired by” emphasizes the motivational influence. |
Usage Rules for Passive Voice
While the passive voice has its uses, it’s essential to use it judiciously. Overuse can lead to writing that is vague, indirect, and less engaging. Here are some guidelines:
- Use when the agent is unknown or unimportant: If you don’t know who performed the action or it doesn’t matter, the passive voice is appropriate. For example, “The window was broken.”
- Use when the action is more important than the actor: If the focus is on what happened rather than who did it, use the passive voice. For example, “The bill was passed by Congress.”
- Use to maintain consistency: In some contexts, such as scientific writing, the passive voice is often used to maintain an objective tone. For example, “The solution was heated to 100°C.”
- Avoid overuse: Too much passive voice can make your writing sound weak and convoluted. Prefer the active voice when possible.
Exceptions: There are situations where the passive voice is preferred or even required, especially in formal or technical writing. However, for general writing, strive for a balance between active and passive constructions.
Common Mistakes with Passive Voice
Several common mistakes can occur when using the passive voice. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them and improve your writing.
- Overusing the passive voice: This is the most common mistake. Too much passive voice can make your writing sound weak and unclear.
- Incorrect verb tense: Using the wrong form of “to be” can lead to grammatical errors. For example, “The letter is wrote” (incorrect) vs. “The letter was written” (correct).
- Unnecessary use of “by”: Including the agent when it’s obvious or irrelevant can clutter the sentence. For example, “Mistakes were made by me” (unnecessary) vs. “Mistakes were made” (better).
- Awkward phrasing: Passive constructions can sometimes sound awkward or unnatural. Rephrasing in the active voice can often improve clarity.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The report was being done by him. | He was preparing the report. | Active voice is clearer and more direct. |
| The cake is ate by John. | The cake was eaten by John. | Correct past participle and tense of “to be.” |
| The mistake was made by me, the manager. | I, the manager, made the mistake. | Active voice is more concise and natural. |
| It is thought by people that… | People think that… | Active voice avoids unnecessary passive construction. |
| The problem was being dealt with by us. | We were dealing with the problem. | Active voice is more direct and engaging. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of the passive voice and alternatives to “done by” with these exercises.
Exercise 1: Identifying Passive Voice
Identify whether each sentence is in the active or passive voice.
| Sentence | Active/Passive | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| The cat chased the mouse. | Active | |
| The mouse was chased by the cat. | Passive | |
| The letter was delivered yesterday. | Passive | |
| John wrote the book. | Active | |
| The book was written by John. | Passive | |
| The students are taking the exam. | Active | |
| The exam is being taken by the students. | Passive | |
| The company developed the software. | Active | |
| The software was developed by the company. | Passive | |
| The chef prepared the meal. | Active |
Exercise 2: Rewriting Sentences in Passive Voice
Rewrite the following active sentences in the passive voice.
| Active Sentence | Passive Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| The dog ate the bone. | The bone was eaten by the dog. | |
| The artist painted the portrait. | The portrait was painted by the artist. | |
| The company hired new employees. | New employees were hired by the company. | |
| The teacher taught the lesson. | The lesson was taught by the teacher. | |
| The storm damaged the house. | The house was damaged by the storm. | |
| The team won the game. | The game was won by the team. | |
| The author wrote the novel. | The novel was written by the author. | |
| The gardener planted the flowers. | The flowers were planted by the gardener. | |
| The students cleaned the classroom. | The classroom was cleaned by the students. | |
| The mechanic repaired the car. | The car was repaired by the mechanic. |
Exercise 3: Replacing “Done By”
Rewrite the following sentences, replacing “done by” with a more appropriate alternative.
| Original Sentence | Alternative Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| The report was done by the committee. | The report was prepared by the committee. | |
| The painting was done by Van Gogh. | The painting was painted by Van Gogh. | |
| The research was done by the scientists. | The research was conducted by the scientists. | |
| The decision was done by the board. | The decision was made by the board. | |
| The discovery was done by Curie. | The discovery is credited to Curie. | |
| The invention was done by Edison. | The invention is ascribed to Edison. | |
| The article was done by the journalist. | The article was written by the journalist. | |
| The meal was done by the chef. | The meal was prepared by the chef. | |
| The presentation was done by the speaker. | The presentation was given by the speaker. | |
| The experiment was done by the researchers. | The experiment was performed by the researchers. |
Advanced Topics in Passive Voice
For advanced learners, exploring more complex aspects of the passive voice can further enhance their understanding and usage.
Cleft Sentences
Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of a sentence. They often involve a passive construction. For example:
- Simple Sentence: John broke the window.
- Cleft Sentence: It was John who broke the window.
- Cleft Sentence (Passive): It was the window that was broken by John.
Pseudo-Passive Verbs
Some verbs have a passive-like meaning but are not formed with “to be” + past participle. These are called pseudo-passive verbs. For example:
- Example: The door opened easily. (Implies that someone opened the door.)
- Example: The book sells well. (Implies that people buy the book.)
Passive Voice in Academic Writing
In academic writing, the passive voice is often used to maintain objectivity and focus on the research or findings rather than the researcher. However, it’s important to use it sparingly and avoid overuse.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main purpose of the passive voice?
The main purpose of the passive voice is to shift the focus from the actor to the action or the receiver of the action. It’s useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to maintain objectivity.
- When should I avoid using the passive voice?
Avoid using the passive voice when the actor is important and you want to create a direct and engaging tone. Overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak and unclear.
- How can I identify a passive sentence?
A passive sentence typically includes a form of the verb “to be” (is, are, was, were, been, being) followed by the past participle of the main verb. The agent is often introduced by the preposition “by,” but it can be omitted.
- What are some alternatives to using “done by” in a passive sentence?
Alternatives include using different prepositions (e.g., “caused by,” “attributed to”), employing verbs that imply agency (e.g., “prepared,” “created”), or rephrasing the sentence in the active voice.
- Can I use the passive voice in all tenses?
Yes, the passive voice can be used in various tenses, each requiring a specific form of the “to be” verb. Examples include simple present, present continuous, simple past, past continuous, present perfect, past perfect, future simple, and future perfect.
- Is it always necessary to include the agent in a passive sentence?
No, it’s not always necessary to include the agent. The agent can be omitted if it is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context. Omitting the agent can make the sentence more concise.
- How does the passive voice affect the tone of my writing?
The passive voice can create a more formal and objective tone, which is often desirable in academic or technical writing. However, it can also make your writing sound less engaging and more distant.
- What is the difference between active and passive voice?
In the active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., “John painted the house”). In the passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., “The house was painted by John”). The active voice emphasizes the actor, while the passive voice emphasizes the action or the receiver of the action.
Conclusion
Mastering the passive voice and its alternatives is essential for effective and nuanced writing. While the phrase “done by” is a simple way to indicate agency, it often lacks the precision and formality required in many contexts. By understanding the structural elements of passive constructions, exploring different types of passive voice, and learning various alternatives to “done by,” you can significantly improve your writing style. Remember to use the passive voice judiciously, preferring the active voice when appropriate, and be mindful of common mistakes to avoid ambiguity and awkward phrasing. Practice these concepts through exercises and real-world application to solidify your understanding. This will empower you to communicate your ideas with clarity, precision, and confidence, whether you are a student, professional, or content creator.
