Passive Form |
Uses |
Examples |
| To draw readers’
attention to particular facts or figures
To emphasize facts or figures To indicate a conclusion
|
It should be emphasized
that It should be stressed that It should be noted that It should be remembered that It should be acknowledged that It must be recognised that It is made clear that It can be concluded that It is shown that |
| To make your opinions or arguments more objective (e.g. avoid the use of ‘I argue’ or ‘We argue’) | It is (can be/ could be) argued that |
| To make an objective or impersonal suggestion (Again, avoid ‘I suggest’ or ‘We suggest’) | It is suggested that It is recommended that It is proposed that |
| To describe facts or information that are still tentative or have not been proved | It is believed that It is alleged that It is thought that/ thought to be… |
| To describe evaluation or judgement, especially when you do not know or do not want to identify those who make such evaluation or judgement | It has been ruled that It was considered that / considered as… It is (widely, generally) accepted that It is known that It is understood that It is regarded as… |
| To express expectation and estimation | It is estimated that It is (widely, generally) assumed that It is expected that |
Answers |