Passive Voice in Questions: Clarifying ‘Are the Poor Helped by Us?’
Passive Voice in Questions: Clarifying 'Are the Poor Helped by Us'?
Language, much like any other form of communication, often carries with it a myriad of nuances and subtle variations that play a significant role in conveying meaning accurately. One such aspect of language is the usage of active and passive voice. In this article, we will delve into the specific scenario of whether the phrase 'Are the poor helped by us' should use an active or passive voice and the intricacies involved in its construction.
The Importance of Passive Voice in Questions
Passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence is acted upon. It is often used when the focus is on the action and not the agent of the action. In questions, passive voice can be quite rhetorical, as seen in the query 'Are the poor helped by us?' This question doesn't explicitly point to an agent performing the action but rather poses a broader inquiry into the circumstances of the poor being assisted or not.
Active vs. Passive Voice
In this context, let us first compare the active and passive forms of the statement:
Active Voice:
We help the poor.
Passive Voice:
The poor are helped by us.
When comparing the two, it is clear that the passive voice version emphasizes the action of helping rather than the entity performing the action. This makes it particularly useful in framing the question in a way that shifts the focus to the help or the action itself.
Definite Article and Agent in Passive Voice
In the sentence 'Are the poor helped by us?', the definite article 'the' is crucial:
Using the active voice, the sentence reads: 'We help the poor.' Here, 'the poor' is specific and definite, referring to a known group of individuals.
In the passive voice, 'the poor' becomes the subject, and the agent performing the action ('us') is included after the verb with 'by'. Thus, the correct form is: 'Are the poor helped by us?' The agent, 'us', is mentioned to provide context and emphasize the role of the speaker or the collective 'we' in the action.
Why the Definite Article is Necessary
The definite article 'the' is required because 'poor' in this context is specific and refers to a known group. Without it, the sentence would be ambiguous. While in some cases, such as 'The poor are helped,' the definite article clarifies that we are talking about a defined group (typically a demographic or a specific context, such as homeless individuals), it is equally necessary in the passive construction to maintain clarity.
Agent in the Sentence
In the passive construction, the agent ('us'/'we') is mentioned after the verb 'are helped' with 'by'. This placement is essential, especially when the active form might use an indefinite or vague pronoun or noun like 'somebody', 'someone', 'they', 'people', or 'we' as the subject. Here are a few examples:
We help the poor. The poor are helped by us. The poor are helped by someone. Help for the poor is available to them.In these cases, the agent ('by us', 'by someone', 'to them') is placed in the 'by'-phrase to provide clarity and specific context.
When to Use the 'by'-Phrase
The 'by'-phrase is necessary when the agent has some importance and is essential to complete the sense of the statement. For example, 'The poor are helped by activists' emphasizes that the help is provided by activists, not by any random individuals or organizations. This is a clear example where the agent is important, and the 'by'-phrase is necessary to convey the complete meaning of the sentence.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct passive voice form for the question 'Do we help the poor' is indeed 'Are the poor helped by us?'. The use of the definite article 'the' is crucial, and the 'by'-phrase accurately represents the role of the active agent ('us') in the action of helping the poor. The choice between active and passive voice can significantly impact the focus and clarity of the message, and in this case, the passive voice in the question emphasizes the action and the beneficiaries of the action more effectively.