Meaning & Definition of Passive in English

1. The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb

• "`the ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice"

• "`the ball was thrown' is an abbreviated passive"

1. Lacking in energy or will

• "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- george meredith

2. Peacefully resistant in response to injustice

• "Passive resistance"

3. Expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb

• "Academics seem to favor passive sentences"