Understanding the Active and Passive Voices: 'He Was Born'

When dealing with sentence structure in English, it is essential to understand the nuances between active and passive voices. The active voice emphasizes the subject performing an action, while the passive voice focuses on the action being performed on the subject. Let's explore the sentence 'He was born' and how it is transformed using these different voices.

The Passive Voice of 'He Was Born'

The given sentence 'He was born' is in the passive voice. The passive voice is used when the emphasis is on the subject receiving the action. In this sentence, the subject 'he' does not perform any action; instead, the focus is on the event of his birth, which is occurring to him.

The passive voice of this sentence is: 'He was born by his parents.' As you can see, the sentence structure has changed. The verb 'was born' is now passive, and 'his parents' are the entities performing the action.

Active Voice Transformation

The active voice of the sentence requires the subject to perform the action. In the context of 'He was born,' the active voice form would be: 'His parents bore him.' Here, the subject 'his parents' is actively performing the action of giving birth to 'him.' This transformation shifts the focus to the mother and the birth event.

Verbs and Passive Voice Usage

The verb 'bear' is a key term when discussing passive voice. In English, 'bear' is used specifically in the context of giving birth, as a medical term. The sentence 'His mother gave him birth' is an example of a passive construction using 'bear.' This sentence can be found in Fowler's 'Modern English Usage' for further confirmation on the usage of 'bear' in passive voice.

It's important to note that 'bear' (to give birth) is distinct from other uses of the verb, such as 'to carry' or 'to endure.' When expressing the act of birth, 'bear' is the appropriate term.

The Limitations of Translating 'He Was Born'

The sentence 'He was born' has a unique limitation when attempting to convert it to active voice. The phrase 'He was born' inherently indicates the passive nature of the birth event. It is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate to keep the sentence in the passive voice, as it emphasizes the process of birth rather than the subject performing the action.

While it might seem logical to translate it as 'His parents bore him' to create an active sentence, it can often make the sentence less specific or natural, especially in formal or academic writing. The choice to keep sentences in the passive voice should be guided by the context and the emphasis desired.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between active and passive voices is crucial for effective and accurate communication. For a sentence like 'He was born,' the passive voice is the most appropriate choice. However, sentences where the focus is on the subject performing an action might benefit from the active voice.

For more information on the usage of verbs in different voice constructions, consider consulting Fowler's 'Modern English Usage' or other reliable linguistic resources.