Incorrect Passive Voice Usage

The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action or the object, not the person doing the action. But it can cause confusion or sound unnatural when used incorrectly — especially if the sentence doesn’t need it or if the grammar is wrong.

Passive voice structure

The basic form is:

• be (in the correct tense) + past participle of the main verb

Examples:

• The email was sent yesterday.
• The documents have been signed.

Common mistakes

• ❌ The letter was send on time. → ✅ The letter was sent on time. (past participle needed)
• ❌ The car was repaired by John yesterday. (wordy if we already know John is the subject)
• ❌ The books was returned late. → ✅ The books were returned late. (agreement with plural subject)

When to avoid passive voice

• When the subject is clear and important → use active voice instead
• When it makes the sentence too long or indirect
• When it creates agreement errors (wrong form of “be” or verb)