Rethinking Sentence Structure: Active vs. Passive Voice in English

When it comes to writing, sentence structure can significantly impact the clarity, emphasis, and readability of your text. One crucial aspect of sentence construction is choosing between active and passive voices. This article delves into the nuances of passive voice, when to use it, and how to transform active structures into passive ones, with a specific focus on the sentence "They can be helped."

Understanding Active and Passive Voices

Active voice places the focus on the subject performing an action. Conversely, passive voice shifts the focus to the object that is receiving the action. In the original sentence, "In passive voice the focus shifts from the subject we to the object them and the verb is modified accordingly," the subject is the one performing the action, and the object is receiving the action. This basic understanding is fundamental to transforming active sentences into passive ones.

Changing "They can be helped" to Passive Voice

Given the sentence "They can be helped," how can we rephrase it in the passive voice? First, let's identify the components of the sentence:

Subject: TheyVerb: can be helpedObject: helped

The active structure is straightforward: "We can help them." To transform this into a passive sentence, we need to:

Identify the subject (doer of the action), which in this case is "we."Use a form of "to be" the past participle of the main verb (in this case, "helped").Rearrange the sentence so that the focus is on the object receiving the action.

Transforming the Sentence

The passive version of the sentence would be:

"They can be helped by us."

However, as noted, passive constructions used excessively or inappropriately can sound awkward and unnatural. In many cases, keeping the sentence in active voice can make the message clearer and more engaging. Here are some examples:

We can help should be can be provided to them.

Emphasis and Natural Usage

Passive voice is not inherently wrong; it's just that it should be used purposefully. For instance, if you are discussing a group of stray cats and the action needs to be emphasized rather than the doer, using the passive voice would be appropriate:

They can be helped! (This puts the emphasis on the help, which is the main point.)They can be helped by us. (This identifies the helper, but it might sound awkward and unnatural, especially in a formal or professional context.)

When deciding to use passive voice, consider whether it serves to shift focus to the receiver of the action. For example, in a speech or presentation, you might use passive voice to place emphasis on the solution rather than the actor:

They can be helped. We just need to decide we want to help them! (This switches back and forth between active and passive, depending on the context and the emphasis you want to convey.)They should be a priority for this town. If we trap, spay, and vaccinate those cats, we can prevent the spread of rabies and the production of unwanted kittens. (This reverts to active voice, as the focus is on the actions needed rather than those performing the actions.)

Conclusion

Choosing between active and passive voices involves considering the context and the message you want to convey. While passive voice can be useful for certain emphases, active voice often provides clarity and conciseness. When transforming the sentence "They can be helped" to passive voice, remember to pay attention to natural usage and context. In many cases, keeping the sentence active will make it more engaging and easier to understand.