Passive voice is used in the following situations:
1. When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant:
Example: "The car was stolen."
2. To shift the focus from the doer to the receiver of the action:
Example: "The new project was approved by the manager."
3. When the doer of the action is obvious or understood from the context:
Example: "The building was constructed last year."
4. In formal or scientific writing, to maintain objectivity and avoid personalizing the subject:
Example: "The data were analyzed using statistical methods."
5. To make a piece of writing more impersonal or formal:
Example: "Mistakes were made."
6. When describing a process or action in a step-by-step manner:
Example: "The dough is kneaded, then left to rise for an hour, and finally baked."
7. When discussing general truths or well-known facts:
Example: "Coffee is grown in many tropical regions."
8. To soften criticism or avoid blaming someone directly:
Example: "Mistakes were noticed in the report."
9. When the subject of the sentence is too long or cumbersome:
Example: "The research conducted by the team of scientists from different universities was groundbreaking."
10. In legal or official language:
Example: "The contract was signed on the 1st of January."
11. In news headlines and reporting:
Example: "Three people were injured in the accident."
12. In passive constructions with "get" to emphasize the action:
Example: "She got promoted last month."
13. When discussing natural disasters or events:
Example: "Several houses were destroyed by the earthquake."
14. To create a sense of mystery or intrigue:
Example: "The stolen diamond has finally been found."
15. When describing historical events:
Example: "The treaty was signed in 1783."
16. To emphasize the result of an action rather than the doer:
Example: "The building was completed ahead of schedule."
17. In technical or scientific writing, to focus on the process or result:
Example: "The compound is heated to 100°C."
18. When talking about processes in nature or scientific phenomena:
Example: "Water is transformed into steam at boiling point."
19. In business or professional writing, to discuss actions or decisions in a neutral tone:
Example: "The proposal was rejected."
20. In academic writing, to present research findings without attributing them to a specific researcher:
Example: "The results were consistent across all experiments."
Remember that while the passive voice has its uses, it's essential to use it appropriately and not overuse it, as it can lead to less engaging and less clear writing. Balance the use of passive and active voice based on the context and purpose of your writing.
