define passive voice in english
passive voice. (grammar) The form of a transitive verb in which its subject receives the action. The passive voice is sometimes criticized for de-emphasizing the actor. [is ... criticized is passive.] Many languages, including English, use auxiliary verbs in constructing the passive voice.
In traditional grammar, the term passive voice refers to a type of sentence or clause in which the subject receives the action of the verb. For example, A good time was had by all.. Contrast with active voice.