ADVANCED USAGE OF PASSIVE VOICEREASONS FOR USING THE PASSIVE VOICE Agentless passives are common in scientific writing, where the agentmay be irrelevant buttheprocess or principle being de scribed is of ultimate importance . This also applies to a mechanical process.oEx: The mixture washeated to 300 °C. Typically an internal combustion engine isfed with fossil fuels like natural gas or petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel or fuel oil. Passive is also utilized due to its potential for evasion of responsibility. oEx: These expensive toys weredesigned to appeal especially to children.(The products take the responsi bility) The XYZ Company designed these expensive toys to appeal especially to children. (The XYZ Company take the responsibility) oEx:Nguyen Van A t old his lectur er, “Profes sor, I almos t completed your assignment last night, but then the data was inadvertently lost.” (The agent is important in this case) Used to place an emphasis on the agent or when, for the sake of convenience , the noun phrase denoting the agent is overtly long or complex. oEx: Did you not know? The kidnapping was executed by none other than Banh Thi Be Buoi! (Emphasized information usually comes at the end). oEx: The ruckus that generated the distraction for the kidnapping wasorganized by Banh Thi Buoi, twin sister of Banh Thi Be Buoi, boss of the local market gang, and owner of the longest rap sheet in the province.
