Use of 'by' agent

Definition

'By' agent refers to the grammatical construction used in passive voice sentences to indicate the doer of the action. In passive constructions, the subject of the sentence receives the action, and the 'by' agent introduces the performer, clarifying who is responsible for the action being described. This term plays a crucial role in understanding how meaning is conveyed in both active and passive sentences, highlighting the shift from who performs the action to who experiences it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In passive voice sentences, the 'by' agent can often be omitted if it is clear from context who performed the action, making the sentence more concise.
2. The use of 'by' agents is particularly useful in formal writing or scientific contexts where the focus is on the action itself rather than the doer.
3. 'By' agents help clarify accountability in passive sentences, especially in legal or academic texts where understanding who performed an action is critical.
4. In some cases, a 'by' agent may be included for emphasis, highlighting the importance of the actor in relation to the action.
5. While active voice emphasizes the subject's role, including a 'by' agent shifts the focus back to that subject in passive constructions, adding depth to sentence structure.

Review Questions

• How does including a 'by' agent change the focus of a passive voice sentence?
  • Including a 'by' agent in a passive voice sentence shifts the focus back onto who performed the action. While passive constructions typically highlight what happened to the subject, adding a 'by' agent clarifies responsibility and can bring attention to significant actors within that context. For instance, in 'The book was read by Sarah,' mentioning Sarah as the 'by' agent emphasizes her role in the action and makes it clear who engaged with the subject matter.
• Discuss situations where omitting the 'by' agent might be beneficial in passive voice constructions.
  • Omitting the 'by' agent in passive voice constructions can enhance clarity and conciseness, especially when the performer of an action is either unknown or irrelevant to the overall meaning. In scientific writing, for example, saying 'The experiment was conducted' without specifying who conducted it can keep the focus on the results rather than on individuals. This helps maintain objectivity and allows readers to concentrate on facts rather than personalities.
• Evaluate how using 'by' agents affects reader perception and understanding in written communication.
  • Using 'by' agents can significantly influence reader perception and understanding by explicitly identifying responsibility for actions within passive constructions. This is crucial when accountability is at stake, such as in legal documents or ethical discussions. It allows readers to connect actions to specific individuals or groups, enhancing comprehension of motivations and implications. Thus, strategically including or omitting 'by' agents shapes narratives and arguments, affecting how information is received and interpreted.

Related terms

Passive Voice:

A grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action rather than performing it, often formed by using a form of 'to be' followed by a past participle.

Active Voice:

A grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence performs the action, typically following a straightforward subject-verb-object order.

Agent:

The entity or person that performs an action in a sentence; in passive constructions, the agent is often introduced with 'by'.