2.2.- Passive voice: Use.

What are the main differences in use between the passive and the active voice?

We normally use the passive:

• When the subject in the active (the person who does the action) is not known, unimportant or is obvious from the context.
• My motorbike was stolen last night. (Who stole it? We don’t know).
  • Obama was elected president of the USA in November, 2008. (By the Americans; it is obvious that only Americans voted for Obama).
• When it is more important to stress the thing done than the doer of it, that is to say, the action is more important than the subject of the action.
  • My car was stolen last night is more usual than Thieves stole my car last night.
  • He was killed in the war is more usual than The enemy killed him in the war.
  • New roads have been made is more usual than Workers have made new roads.
• The passive voice is often translated into Spanish by the “se” expression or by the third person plural.
  • English is spoken here is normally translated “Se habla inglés aquí”.
• He was killed in the war is normally translated “Lo mataron en la Guerra”.
• The concert has been cancelled “Han cancelado el concierto” / “El concierto se ha cancelado”.

The passive voice is commonly used in newspapers headlines and boards. In these cases the verb “to be” is frequently omitted.

• Popular politician found guilty means Popular politician was found guilty.
• Sold means This has been sold.
• Three shot at nightmeans Three people have been shot or were shot at night.
• 3 year old boy rescued from a wellmeans 3 year old boy was rescued from a well.