Understanding the Passive Voice in English: Exploring 'I am going to school by bus'

In English grammar, the passive voice is a construction where the subject of a sentence is acted upon by the verb. However, not all sentences can be transformed into the passive voice. This article delves into the intricacies of transforming the sentence 'I am going to school by bus' into a passive construction, and explains why it might not be possible in certain cases.

What is the Passive Voice?

The passive voice is often used to shift the focus from the doer of the action to the recipient of the action. It is formed using the auxiliary verb 'to be' plus the past participle of the main verb. For example, 'The book was read by Sarah' is a passive voice sentence.

Can 'I am going to school by bus' be transformed into Passive Voice?

No, you cannot convert the sentence 'I am going to school by bus' into a passive form. The main reason lies in the intransitive nature of the verb 'go' in this context. An intransitive verb does not have a direct object, and therefore, it cannot be used in a passive construction.

Understanding Intransitive Verbs

Unlike transitive verbs, which require a direct object to complete the meaning of the sentence (e.g., 'I am eating an apple'), intransitive verbs do not require an object. They refer to actions that do not have a recipient. In the sentence 'I am going to school by bus', 'going' is an intransitive verb, and the sentence lacks a direct object. Hence, it cannot be revised into a passive voice sentence.

Examples of Intransitive Verbs with Active and Passive Constructions

Consider the following examples of sentences with intransitive verbs in both active and passive voice:

Active: They are going to the station by car. Passive: The station is being approached by them by car.

Similar examples for other intransitive verbs can be constructed:

Active: He is coming to the home by motorbike. Passive: The home is being arrived at by him by motorbike.

And:

Active: She went to USA last year. Passive: The USA was visited by her last year.

Exception to Passive Voice: Use of 'To Go'

It's worth noting that some verbs, like 'go', can be put into a passive construction, but typically with a change in meaning. For instance, consider this:

Active: I’m taking the bus to school.

Passive: I am being taken to school by bus.

In this case, though, the passive construction provides a different perspective rather than the original active one.

Why Convert to Passive Voice?

Some argue for the use of the passive voice, especially in formal writing, to emphasize the object or recipient of an action. However, renowned authors and linguists often advise against overusing the passive voice because it can make writing sound awkward and less direct. For instance:

Active: The committee drafted a new policy.

Passive: A new policy was drafted by the committee.

While the passive voice can be useful in certain contexts, it should be used judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid verbosity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to convert every sentence into passive construction, it is not feasible in all cases, especially with intransitive verbs. Understanding the nuances of active versus passive voice can help improve writing skills and ensure effective communication.

Related Keywords

Active voice Passive voice Intransitive verb