Active and Passive Voice

Lesson 7: Common Errors with the Passive Voice

Lesson: 7 of 7 | Level: 🟠 Intermediate — 🟣 Upper-Intermediate

1. Lesson Overview

Every lesson in this module has examined a different dimension of the passive voice — its formation, its uses, its interaction with modal verbs and reporting verbs, and the distinctive get passive. This final lesson draws all of that knowledge together by focusing specifically on the errors that learners make most frequently and most persistently when using the passive voice — and on the corrections and principles that resolve them.

Error with the passive voice fall into several distinct categories — errors of formation, errors of choice, errors of register, errors arising from confusion with related constructions, and errors that stem from overuse or underuse. Understanding each category clearly is the most efficient way to eliminate these errors from your own writing and to identify them in the writing of others.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Identify the most common categories of passive voice error
• Understand the grammatical and communicative principles that underlie each correction
• Apply the correct passive form across all tenses and constructions
• Avoid the most common errors of passive choice, register, and construction in your own writing

2. Core Content

A. Formation Errors — The Wrong Auxiliary or Participle

The most basic category of error involves incorrect formation — using the wrong auxiliary, the wrong form of the main verb, or omitting a required element of the passive construction.

Error type 1 — Omitting be

The passive requires the auxiliary verb be in every tense. Omitting it produces a non-standard construction.

For example:

New species discovered in the deep ocean every year. ❌ New species are discovered in the deep ocean every year. ✅

The findings published last month. ❌ The findings were published last month. ✅

Error type 2 — Using the present participle instead of the past participle

The passive always uses the past participle — not the present participle. Using the -ing form produces the progressive active, not the passive.

For example:

The samples are collecting at twelve sites. ❌ (present continuous active — the samples are doing the collecting) The samples are being collected at twelve sites. ✅ (present continuous passive — the samples are receiving the action)

The data was processing when the system crashed. ❌ The data was being processed when the system crashed. ✅

Error type 3 — Using the simple past instead of the past participle

Irregular verbs that have different simple past and past participle forms are a common source of error — learners use the simple past form where the past participle is required.

For example:

The vents were first saw in 1977. ❌ (saw is simple past; seen is past participle) The vents were first seen in 1977. ✅

The theory has been wrote about extensively. ❌ (wrote is simple past; written is past participle) The theory has been written about extensively. ✅

The glacier has been shrank significantly since 1900. ❌ (shrank is simple past; shrunk is past participle) The glacier has been shrunk — or better: The glacier has shrunk significantly since 1900. ✅

Error type 4 — Double passive auxiliary

Using two passive auxiliaries together where only one is needed.

For example:

The results were been published last month. ❌ The results were published last month. ✅

The data has been being collected since 2005. ❌ (the perfect continuous passive is almost always replaced by the perfect simple passive) The data has been collected since 2005. ✅

B. Errors of Tense in the Passive

Choosing the wrong tense for the passive is a common source of error — particularly the confusion between simple passive and continuous passive, and between present perfect passive and simple past passive.

Error type 5 — Simple passive where continuous passive is needed

The simple passive describes a completed action or a general state; the continuous passive describes an action in progress at a specific moment. Using the simple where the continuous is needed obscures the temporal relationship.

For example:

When the discovery was made, data was collected from the site. ❌ (implies the data collection was completed — but it was in progress) When the discovery was made, data was being collected from the site. ✅ (the collection was in progress — it was the background action)

Error type 6 — Present perfect passive where simple past passive is needed

When a specific past time is mentioned, the simple past passive is required — not the present perfect passive.

For example:

Hydrothermal vents have been discovered in 1977. ❌ (specific past time — in 1977) Hydrothermal vents were discovered in 1977. ✅

The findings have been published last month. ❌ (last month specifies a past time) The findings were published last month. ✅

Error type 7 — Simple past passive where present perfect passive is needed

When the action is recent or has ongoing relevance to the present — particularly with since, already, yet, and recently — the present perfect passive is required.

For example:

The methodology was revised since the first survey. ❌ (since requires present perfect) The methodology has been revised since the first survey. ✅

The data was not yet verified. ❌ (yet implies ongoing relevance) The data has not yet been verified. ✅

C. Errors of Choice — Using the Passive Where the Active Is Better

One of the most sophisticated categories of error involves choosing the passive where the active would be more appropriate — either because the agent is important and should be named as the subject, or because the active is more direct and natural in the context.

Error type 8 — Passive with an important, named agent

When the identity of the agent is central to the point being made, the active foregrounds the agent far more effectively than the passive with a by-phrase.

For example:

The theory of natural selection was proposed by Darwin — not by the scientific establishment that rejected it for decades. ✅ (the by-phrase is effective here because the contrast is the point) The theory of natural selection was proposed by Darwin in On the Origin of Species. (the active — Darwin proposed the theory — is more natural and direct when Darwin’s identity is the focus)

Error type 9 — Passive where active is more natural and direct

In informal and everyday writing, the passive can sound unnecessarily formal, pompous, or bureaucratic — the active is more natural.

For example:

The samples were collected by us on Monday. ❌ (unnecessarily passive — the agent us adds nothing) We collected the samples on Monday. ✅ (more natural and direct)

It was decided by the committee to fund the project. ❌ (awkward — the agent is important enough to be the subject) The committee decided to fund the project. ✅

Error type 10 — Overuse of passive in academic writing

Excessive use of the passive in academic writing produces a monotonous and impersonal style that can obscure meaning and reduce clarity. A strategic mix of active and passive is more effective.

For example:

The hypothesis was formulated. The experiment was designed. The data was collected. The results were analysed. The conclusions were drawn. ❌ (relentless passive — monotonous and impersonal) We formulated the hypothesis and designed the experiment accordingly. Data was collected from twelve sites over a period of six months and subsequently analysed using the methodology described in Section 3. The results strongly support the conclusion that… ✅ (strategic mix — more varied and readable)

D. Errors of Construction — Wrong Agent Placement

Error type 11 — Agent placed in wrong position

The by-phrase naming the agent should follow the passive verb directly — not be placed at the end of a long sentence after an infinitive clause or other elements.

For example:

The species is believed to have evolved over several million years by marine biologists. ❌ (the agent appears after the infinitive — ambiguous and awkward) Marine biologists believe the species evolved over several million years. ✅ (active — clearer) The species is believed by marine biologists to have evolved over several million years. ✅ (agent placed after the passive verb — correct)

Error type 12 — Using by where another preposition is needed

The by-phrase introduces the agent — the person or thing performing the action. Other prepositional phrases following the passive — expressing location, method, or instrument — use their own appropriate prepositions, not by.

For example:

The samples were analysed by a laboratory in Plymouth. ❌ (a laboratory is a location, not an agent — use at) The samples were analysed at a laboratory in Plymouth. ✅

The data was collected by acoustic sensors. ❌ (sensors are instruments — using or with is more appropriate) The data was collected using acoustic sensors. ✅ The data was collected with acoustic sensors. ✅

E. Errors with Intransitive Verbs

Error type 13 — Passive with intransitive verbs

Intransitive verbs — verbs that do not take a direct object — cannot be made passive. Using the passive with an intransitive verb produces a grammatically impossible construction.

For example:

The volcano was erupted in 1883. ❌ (erupt is intransitive — no direct object) The volcano erupted in 1883. ✅

The glacier was disappeared over the past century. ❌ (disappear is intransitive) The glacier disappeared over the past century. ✅

Scientists were arrived at the site in January. ❌ (arrive is intransitive) Scientists arrived at the site in January. ✅

F. Errors with the Passive Subject

Error type 14 — Wrong noun as passive subject

In transforming an active sentence to a passive one, only the direct object of the active verb can become the passive subject. Using the indirect object or another element as the passive subject when the direct object should be used — or vice versa — produces errors.

For example:

Darwin was proposed the theory. ❌ (Darwin is the agent — the theory is the direct object and should be the passive subject) The theory was proposed by Darwin. ✅

The committee was awarded the prize to the researcher. ❌ (confused construction — the prize is the direct object) The prize was awarded to the researcher by the committee. ✅ The researcher was awarded the prize by the committee. ✅ (indirect object as passive subject — also correct)

Error type 15 — Passive subject not agreeing with auxiliary

The auxiliary be in the passive must agree with the passive subject in number.

For example:

The results was published last month. ❌ (results is plural — were required) The results were published last month. ✅

The data were corrupted during the transfer. ❌ (data is treated as singular in British English — was required) The data was corrupted during the transfer. ✅

G. Errors of Register

Error type 16 — Get passive in formal writing

The get passive is informal in register and must not be used in academic, scientific, legal, or formal writing.

For example:

The samples got collected from twelve sites between January and March. ❌ (too informal for academic writing) The samples were collected from twelve sites between January and March. ✅

The findings got published in a leading journal. ❌ (informal) The findings were published in a leading journal. ✅

Error type 17 — Be passive in informal speech where get passive is more natural

Conversely, using the be passive where the get passive would be more natural in informal speech can sound overly formal or stilted.

My phone was broken yesterday. (technically correct but sounds formal) My phone got broken yesterday. (more natural in informal speech — implies an accident)

H. Errors with the Passive Reporting Verb Construction

Error type 18 — Omitting that in Pattern 1

Pattern 1 of the passive reporting verb construction (it is believed that) requires that before the reported clause in formal writing — omitting it is non-standard.

For example:

It is believed the ocean contains many undescribed species. ❌ (formal writing — that required) It is believed that the ocean contains many undescribed species. ✅

Error type 19 — Using simple infinitive where perfect infinitive is needed

In Pattern 2 (the species is believed to), the simple infinitive refers to a current or future situation; the perfect infinitive (to have + past participle) refers to a past situation. Confusing the two distorts the temporal meaning.

For example:

The species is believed to evolve in isolation over several million years. ❌ (evolution happened in the past — perfect infinitive needed) The species is believed to have evolved in isolation over several million years. ✅

The glacier is known to retreat significantly since 1900. ❌ (retreat happened in the past — perfect infinitive needed) The glacier is known to have retreated significantly since 1900. ✅

4. Usage in Context

• Form the passive correctly — be in the appropriate tense + past participle. Never omit be and never use the present participle where the past participle is required.

New species are discovered every year as exploration technologies improve. (not discovering — not discovered alone without are) Data was being collected from the site when the seismic event occurred. (not was collecting)

• Use the correct past participle form — particularly for irregular verbs where the simple past and past participle differ.

The vents were first seen in 1977. (not saw) The findings have been written up and submitted for review. (not wrote) The glacier has shrunk significantly since 1900. (note: shrink is intransitive in this sense — be passive not used; use has shrunk as active)

• Choose between simple passive and continuous passive on the basis of whether the action was completed or in progress.

When the discovery was made, data was being collected from the surrounding area. (in progress — continuous passive) The data was collected over a period of six months. (completed — simple passive)

• Use simple past passive when a specific past time is mentioned; use present perfect passive when the action has ongoing relevance.

Hydrothermal vents were discovered in 1977. (specific past time — simple past passive) More than five thousand species have been identified in vent ecosystems since 1977. (ongoing relevance — present perfect passive)

• Place the by-phrase immediately after the passive verb — not at the end of a long sentence after an infinitive or other elements.

The species is believed by marine biologists to have evolved over several million years. (correct placement) Marine biologists believe the species evolved over several million years. (active — often clearer)

• Use the correct preposition after the passive — by for agents, at for locations, using or with for instruments and methods.

The samples were analysed at three independent laboratories. (location — at) The data was collected using autonomous underwater vehicles. (instrument — using) The theory was proposed by Darwin. (agent — by)

• Avoid the passive with intransitive verbs — they have no direct object and cannot be made passive.

The glacier retreated significantly this century. (intransitive — no passive possible) The volcano erupted in 1883. (intransitive — no passive possible)

• Use the active — not the passive — when the agent is the primary focus and naming them as subject is more effective.

Darwin proposed the theory — a claim that should be stated actively when Darwin is the focus. The committee decided to fund the project — not it was decided by the committee, which obscures responsibility.

• Avoid excessive passive in academic writing — use a strategic mix of active and passive.

We collected samples from twelve sites. The samples were then stored at −20°C and subsequently analysed at three independent laboratories. The results demonstrate a clear correlation between temperature and species richness.

• Keep the get passive out of formal and academic writing — use the be passive in all formal contexts.

The samples were collected last week. (formal — correct) The samples got collected last week. (informal — avoid in academic writing)

• Include that in Pattern 1 passive reporting verb constructions in formal writing.

It is believed that the deep ocean contains many undescribed species. (correct — that included)

• Use the perfect infinitive in Pattern 2 passive reporting verb constructions when the reported event occurred before the time of reporting.

The species is believed to have evolved in isolation over several million years. (past event — perfect infinitive) The species is expected to adapt to higher temperatures. (future event — simple infinitive)

Common Errors and Corrections

| Darwin was proposed the theory by himself. | Darwin proposed the theory. / The theory was proposed by Darwin. | Darwin is the agent — in the active, he is the subject; the theory is the direct object that becomes the passive subject. | | The species is believed to evolve over millions of years. | The species is believed to have evolved over millions of years. | The evolution happened in the past — the perfect infinitive is required in Pattern 2. | | It is believed the ocean contains many species. | It is believed that the ocean contains many species. | Pattern 1 requires that before the reported clause in formal writing. | | The results was published last month. | The results were published last month. | Results is plural — the auxiliary be must agree — were, not was. | | The samples were analysed by a laboratory. | The samples were analysed at a laboratory. | A laboratory is a location — use at, not by, which introduces the agent. | | The methodology has been revised since last year — it was updated in March. | The methodology was revised in March and has been in use since then. | Since requires present perfect; in March requires simple past — maintain tense consistency across both clauses. |

5. Lesson Mastery

After completing this lesson, you should now be able to:

    ✅ Identify the most common categories of passive voice error

    ✅ Understand the grammatical and communicative principles that underlie each correction

    ✅ Apply the correct passive form across all tenses and constructions

    ✅ Avoid the most common errors of passive choice, register, and construction in your own writing