IELTS Grammar: Passive Voice for Academic Writing
British universities expect students to produce objective, impersonal academic writing that focuses on ideas rather than personalities. This is why IELTS passive voice becomes essential for achieving Band 7+ in both IELTS Writing Task 1 (academic) and Task 2 essays.
Quick Answer
Passive voice occurs when the subject receives the action instead of performing it. In academic writing, you use passive constructions when the agent (the doer) is unknown, irrelevant, or unimportant. For example: “The research was conducted by Smith et al.” (passive) instead of “Smith et al. conducted the research.” (active).
Why Passive Voice Matters in IELTS
Statistical evidence shows that academic writing in British universities consistently uses passive voice between 25-35% of the time, compared to less than 5% in casual conversation. This is why IELTS examiners specifically look for your ability to use passive constructions accurately.
IELTS Task 1 Academic Writing
In data reporting tasks, passive voice is mandatory for describing processes and procedures. Your Task 1 answer should use passive constructions approximately 50% of the time because:
- Objectivity: The focus remains on the data, not who collected it
- Flow: Passive voice creates smoother transitions between data points
- Professionalism: It demonstrates sophisticated language control
Example from IELTS Task 1:
“The number of tourists increased from 500,000 in 2005 to 750,000 in 2010. By 2015, this figure rose to 900,000 and finally plateaued at 920,000 in 2020.”
IELTS Task 2 Essay Writing
For argumentative essays, passive voice is optional but highly recommended for:
- Describing established facts (“It is widely believed that…”)
- Citing research findings (“Studies have shown that…”)
- Expressing general trends (“Waste is being generated at alarming rates”)
Step-by-Step Guide to Forming Passive Constructions
Present Simple Passive
Used for habits, general truths, and facts.
Formula: subject + am/is/are + past participle (+ object, if any)
Examples:
- “Coffee is grown in many countries.”
- “English is spoken in over 50 countries.”
- “IELTS scores are released online.”
Past Simple Passive
Used for completed actions in the past.
Formula: subject + was/were + past participle (+ object, if any)
Examples:
- “The report was submitted yesterday.”
- “Several studies were conducted in 2020.”
- “Prices were lowered by the government.”
Future Simple Passive
Used for future actions or predictions.
Formula: subject + will be + past participle
Examples:
- “The results will be published next month.”
- “New policies will be implemented soon.”
- “More research is expected to be carried out.”
Present Continuous Passive
Used for actions happening now or around now.
Formula: subject + am/is/are being + past participle
Examples:
- “The data is being analysed at the moment.”
- “The study is being conducted by a team of researchers.”
- “Questionnaires are being distributed to participants.”
Past Continuous Passive
Used for actions in progress in the past.
Formula: subject + was/were being + past participle
Examples:
- “The building was being renovated when I visited.”
- “The proposal was being discussed at the meeting.”
- “The results were being calculated during the presentation.”
Present Perfect Passive
Used for actions completed at an unspecified time.
Formula: subject + has/have been + past participle
Examples:
- “The research has been completed successfully.”
- “Many theories have been proposed by experts.”
- “Important changes have been made to the curriculum.”
Past Perfect Passive
Used for actions completed before another past action.
Formula: subject + had been + past participle
Examples:
- “The work had been finished before the deadline.”
- “The decision had been made by the committee.”
- “The documents had been reviewed prior to the meeting.”
Future Perfect Passive
Used for actions that will be completed before a future time.
Formula: subject + will have been + past participle
Examples:
- “The project will have been completed by next year.”
- “All the papers will have been submitted by Friday.”
- “The results will have been analysed by the end of the month.”
Common IELTS Mistakes with Passive Voice
1. Overusing Passive Voice in Conversation
Mistake: Using passive constructions in casual speech
“I am being told that I need to improve my IELTS score.” ❌
Better: “I’m told I need to improve my IELTS score.” ✅
IELTS Advice: Passive voice is acceptable in Task 2 essays, but avoid using it excessively in other sections. In speaking, use active voice unless the action requires objectivity.
2. Using Wrong Form of Past Participles
Mistake: Incorrect past participle forms
IELTS Advice: Memorise irregular past participles separately. Common examples include:
- Write → Written
- Read → Read
- Choose → Chosen
- Know → Known
3. Mixing Active and Passive Incorrectly
Mistake: Using passive voice when active would be clearer
“The academic word list was compiled by Averil Coxhead.”
Better: “Averil Coxhead compiled the Academic Word List.” ✅
IELTS Advice: Use active voice when the agent is clear and important. Reserve passive voice for when the focus should be on the action or the result.
4. Forgetting Object in Transitive Verbs
Mistake: Missing the object after passive construction
“The problem is being addressed.” ❌ (incomplete)
Better: “The problem is being addressed by the government.” ✅
5. Using Passive Voice with Intransitive Verbs
Mistake: Using passive constructions with verbs that cannot take objects
IELTS Advice: Only use passive voice with transitive verbs (those that take objects).
Band 7+ Passive Voice Examples
IELTS Task 1 Sample
Describing a Process (Academic Task 1):
“The manufacturing process begins with raw materials being collected from local suppliers. These materials are then transported to the factory, where they undergo a series of quality checks. First, the components are inspected for defects, and only items that meet the required standards proceed to the assembly line. Once assembled, the product is packaged and labelled according to customer specifications. Finally, the finished goods are shipped to distribution centres, from where they are delivered to retail stores. Quality control procedures are implemented throughout the entire production process to ensure consistent standards.”
Analysis: This paragraph uses passive voice approximately 70% of the time, which is typical for Task 1 academic writing. The focus remains entirely on the process, not on the factory workers or logistics staff.
IELTS Task 2 Sample
Discussing Environmental Issues:
“Environmental problems are being increasingly recognised as global threats. It is estimated that over 1 million species are at risk of extinction due to human activities. Deforestation is being carried out at alarming rates, with approximately 10 million hectares being destroyed each year. Many habitats are being destroyed to create space for agriculture and urban development. The consequences are severe: biodiversity is being reduced, climate change is being accelerated, and natural resources are being depleted at unsustainable rates.”
Analysis: This essay uses passive voice effectively to maintain an objective tone. The focus remains on the environmental problems rather than on who is causing them, which is appropriate for an academic discussion.
Practice Tips for Mastering Passive Voice
1. Practice Verb Forms Regularly
Create flashcards with:
- Verb base form (write)
- Past participle (written)
- Passive sentence example (“The essay was written by John.”)
Review these daily for two weeks. You’ll naturally begin using correct forms without conscious effort.
2. Identify Passive Voice in Model Answers
Download and analyse 10 Band 8+ IELTS writing samples:
- Mark every passive construction
- Note which tenses are used
- Analyse why passive voice is appropriate in each context
3. Practice Summarising in Passive Voice
Take an active sentence and convert it to passive:
- “Scientists have discovered a new treatment.” → “A new treatment has been discovered by scientists.”
- “The government will implement new policies.” → “New policies will be implemented by the government.”
- “Researchers are studying the effects.” → “The effects are being studied by researchers.”
4. Use Passive Voice in IELTS Writing Tasks
Task 1: Always use passive voice when describing processes, procedures, or general truths. Aim for 50% passive constructions.
Task 2: Use passive voice for:
- Citing research findings
- Expressing opinions (“It is argued that…”)
- Describing general trends
- Discussing problems and solutions
Aim for 20-30% passive voice in Task 2 essays.
5. Get Feedback on Your Passive Voice Usage
Submit your writing to:
- Teachers or tutors who specialise in IELTS
- Writing centres at your institution
- Online feedback platforms that analyse grammar patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I use passive voice in IELTS Speaking?
A: Use passive voice sparingly in speaking tests. Focus on active constructions for clarity and natural flow. Only use passive when you genuinely need to sound objective or when describing processes.
Q: How much passive voice should I use in IELTS Task 2?
A: Use passive voice approximately 20-30% of the time. Too much passive voice can make your writing sound unnatural, while too little may indicate limited vocabulary control.
Q: Can I use passive voice for every verb?
A: No! Using passive voice for all verbs is unnatural and can harm your IELTS score. Reserve passive constructions for situations where the agent is unknown, irrelevant, or when you specifically want to focus on the action or result.
Q: What if I’m not sure about the past participle form?
A: If you’re uncertain, use active voice instead of an incorrect passive construction. Accuracy is more important than complexity.
Q: Is passive voice only used in academic writing?
A: Passive voice is commonly used in academic, formal, and professional writing. In casual communication, active voice is preferred for clarity and directness.
Q: Does using passive voice guarantee a higher band score?
A: No. Using passive voice correctly demonstrates vocabulary control, but it’s just one of many factors examiners consider.
Take Action: Master Passive Voice Today
Your IELTS preparation routine:
- Day 1-3: Study the seven passive voice tenses and memorise common past participles
- Day 4-7: Convert 20 active sentences to passive voice each day
- Day 8-14: Analyse Band 8+ sample answers and mark passive constructions
- Day 15-21: Use passive voice deliberately in your IELTS practice essays and speaking responses
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Ready to improve your IELTS score? Start using passive voice confidently in your next practice test!
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