Passive voice plays a crucial role in conveying politeness and formality by shifting the focus away from the subject performing the action. By emphasizing the action or the receiver of the action instead of the doer, passive voice can help soften requests, commands, or criticisms. It allows the speaker or writer to be less direct and mitigate the potential for sounding aggressive or confrontational.

In terms of requests, using passive voice can make a demand sound more like a suggestion. For example, instead of saying “Complete the report by noon,” one could say “The report should be completed by noon,” which sounds more polite and less demanding. Similarly, passive voice can be effective in softening commands by making them sound less authoritarian. For instance, instead of saying “Submit the proposal today,” one could say “The proposal is expected to be submitted today.”

In criticisms or negative feedback, passive voice can help depersonalize the critique and focus more on the action or behavior being criticized rather than directly blaming the person. This can reduce defensiveness and maintain a more constructive tone.

Moreover, passive voice is commonly used in formal correspondence to maintain a respectful and professional tone. By avoiding the directness of active voice, it allows for a more diplomatic and refined communication style. It helps to show deference and convey a sense of decorum, which is particularly important in professional settings where maintaining proper etiquette is crucial.

Overall, passive voice is a valuable tool in communication when conveying politeness, formality, and