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In sentences with passive verbs, the subject receives
the action:
it is not the "doer" of the verb's action. For
that reason, the passive is most often used when the
verb and the object are known, but the subject is
either unknown or unimportant.
The passive can also be used
when the subject is known,
but the writer or speaker wants to
emphasize the object.
In this situation,
the writer or speaker uses passive voice,
but also shows
the actual subject. The subject is preceded
by by.
Examples:
Radar was
invented in 1940
by Watson-Watt.
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(The emphasis is
on the object, radar,
not the actual subject, Watson-Watt.)
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In 1969, an experimental version of the Internet
was established
by the U.S. Department of Defense. |
(The emphasis is
on the object,
the Internet, not the actual subject,
the U.S. Department of Defense.)
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"Dave's ESL Cafe on the Web" has been managed
by
Dave Sperling since late December 1995. |
(The emphasis is
on the object,
"Dave's ESL Cafe on the Web,"
not the actual subject, Dave Sperling.)
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These "Hints of the Day" are being written
by
Dave Sperling and Dennis Oliver. |
(The emphasis is
on the object,
These "Hints of the Day,"
not
the actual subjects, Dave Sperling
and Dennis Oliver.)
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On
February 5th, 2000, the Year of the Dragon
was
welcomed by people
in most parts of Asia. |
(The emphasis is
on the object,
the Year of the Dragon, not
the actual subject, people in most
parts of Asia.)
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