Passive Voice: Giving Credit with "By"
by + agent for clarity.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'by' in passive sentences to mention who or what performed the action while keeping the focus on the result.
- Place 'by' after the past participle to introduce the doer: 'The song was sung by Adele.'
- Only use 'by' if the person or thing doing the action is important information.
- Don't confuse 'by' (the doer) with 'with' (the tool used): 'The door was opened by John with a key.'
Overview
Talk about the action first. Use 'by' to say who did it.
The word 'by' shows who did it. This makes sentences clear.
Put the main thing first. Then use 'by' to add the person.
Learning this helps you speak and understand English better.
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
Subject + am/is/are + V3 + by + Agent
The news is reported by experienced journalists.
Subject + was/were + V3 + by + Agent
The new software is being developed by a local company.
The presentation was being prepared by our team leader.
Subject + has/have + been + V3 + by + Agent
Several awards have been won by her innovative designs.
Subject + had + been + V3 + by + Agent
The mistake had been identified by the auditor before the final review.
Subject + will be + V3 + by + Agent
The new policy will be implemented by the end of the month.
When To Use It
- To Attribute Responsibility or Credit: This is arguably the most common and vital use. When it is important to acknowledge who performed an action, whether for praise or blame,
by + agentis essential. For example,The company's new strategy was developed by a cross-functional team.Here, credit is explicitly given. Conversely,A significant error was discovered by the external auditors,clearly assigns the discovery to a specific party.
- When the Agent is Unexpected or Noteworthy: If the person or thing performing the action is surprising, famous, or otherwise remarkable, specifying them with
byadds significant impact. ConsiderThe world-renowned opera was composed by a relatively unknown artist.The agent's lack of fame makes their achievement noteworthy. Similarly,This iconic speech was delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.,highlights the historical figure.
- To Clarify Ambiguity: In situations where the agent might otherwise be unclear or there are multiple potential agents,
byremoves doubt. For instance, if you simply sayThe email was sent,it might leave the recipient wondering who sent it. AddingThe email was sent by the project manager,provides immediate and critical clarification.
- In Formal or Academic Contexts: Scientific reports, academic papers, and official documents frequently use passive voice with
by + agentto maintain an objective tone while still citing sources or methods.The data was analyzed using a novel statistical method developed by Professor Lee.This approach allows the focus to remain on the data and method, but credits the innovator. This is a common practice in fields where objectivity and attribution are paramount, reflecting a scientific tradition of focusing on processes and findings over individual researchers.
- When the Action Itself is More Important than the Agent, but the Agent Must Still be Named: Sometimes the process or outcome holds primary thematic weight, but omitting the agent would render the statement incomplete or less impactful.
The new building will be inaugurated by the mayor next month.The inauguration is the main event, but the mayor's presence is a key detail, making theby + agentphrase crucial. This ensures that while the action is highlighted, relevant stakeholders are acknowledged.
Common Mistakes
- Overuse when the Agent is Unimportant, Unknown, or Obvious: One of the most prevalent mistakes is including
by + agentwhen it adds no new information or makes the sentence unnecessarily verbose. If the agent is general (people,they,everyone), anonymous, or self-evident from context, it should typically be omitted. For example, sayingEnglish is spoken by people all over the worldis redundant;English is spoken all over the worldis sufficient and more natural. Similarly,My car was stolen by someoneis less effective thanMy car was stolen,unless thesomeoneis a specific, known entity.
- Confusing
bywithwith: This distinction is fundamental.Byintroduces the agent (who or what performs the action), whereaswithintroduces the instrument or tool used to perform the action. Mixing these can lead to illogical or comical sentences. For instance,The letter was written by a penis incorrect; pens do not write independently. The correct sentence isThe letter was written with a pen (instrument) by the author (agent).Another example:The nail was hit by the hammeris wrong. It should beThe nail was hit with the hammer by the carpenter.Think ofbyas answering "who/what caused it?" andwithas answering "using what?"
- Incorrect Pronoun Case: When a pronoun functions as the agent after
by, it must be in the objective case. Learners sometimes mistakenly use the subjective case. For example,The task was completed by Iis grammatically incorrect. The correct form isThe task was completed by me.Similarly,The decision was made by heshould beThe decision was made by him.Always useme, him, her, us, them, you, itafterby.
- Incorrect Placement of the
by + agentPhrase: Whileby + agentusually appears at the end of the sentence, placing it too early or in an awkward position can disrupt sentence flow or clarity. Generally, this phrase should follow the past participle and any direct objects if they exist. Placing it betweento beand the past participle, for example, is incorrect:The report was by the student writtenis an ungrammatical construction.
- Failing to Match
to bewith Tense and Subject: Although not directly an error related toby + agent, errors in conjugatingto becorrectly for the sentence's tense and subject often undermine the entire passive construction. Ensure thatam/is/are,was/were,has/have been,will be, etc., accurately reflect the intended time frame and subject number. For instance,The houses is built by a local firmis incorrect becausehousesis plural, requiringare:The houses are built by a local firm.
Real Conversations
The by + agent construction, while often associated with formal writing, is prevalent in authentic, modern English communication across various contexts. It allows speakers and writers to convey nuanced information about agency without always placing the agent as the grammatical subject. Observing its use in everyday scenarios demonstrates its versatility and practical utility.
- Workplace Communication (Emails/Meetings): In professional settings, by + agent is crucial for assigning tasks, acknowledging contributions, or clarifying responsibilities. An email might state, The Q3 budget report needs to be reviewed by Friday, and the final presentation will be delivered by Sarah. This clearly delineates responsibilities. During a meeting, a manager might say, The new project proposal has been approved by senior management. This implicitly emphasizes the approval itself, but credits the authority figures.
- News and Media: Journalism frequently employs the passive voice, and by + agent is used to attribute statements or actions to sources. A news report might read, The new environmental policy was heavily criticized by opposition parties. Here, the focus is on the criticism, but the source is critical information. Similarly, Damages were estimated by independent assessors after the storm. This lends credibility by naming the type of agent.
- Social Media and Online Discussions: Even in informal online interactions, by + agent can be used for attribution, especially when sharing content or expressing opinions. A post might say, This amazing fan art was created by @ArtistName! giving credit to the original creator. In a discussion, someone might comment, The point you're making has been debated by philosophers for centuries, lending historical weight to an argument.
- Casual Conversation: While less frequent than in formal contexts, by + agent does appear in casual speech, particularly when an action's performer is important or surprising. For instance, if you receive a thoughtful gift, you might say, This beautiful scarf was knitted by my grandmother. The action (knitting) is appreciated, but the specific agent (grandmother) adds personal significance. Or, when discussing a local event, The annual festival is organized by a group of dedicated volunteers, attributes the effort to a specific community group. This showcases how even in informal settings, precise attribution can be valuable for conveying specific information efficiently.
Quick FAQ
- Q: When should I not use
by + agent?
You should omit by + agent when the agent is unknown (My wallet was stolen.), unimportant (The mail is delivered daily.), or obvious from context (The car was washed.). Overusing it can make your writing sound unnatural or overly formal.
- Q: What's the main difference between
byandwithin passive sentences?
By introduces the agent (the person or thing that performs the action), while with introduces the instrument or tool used to perform the action. For example, The painting was restored by an expert with a fine brush.
- Q: Can I use pronouns after
by?
Yes, but you must use the objective case of the pronoun: me, him, her, us, them, you, it. For example, The decision was made by him, not by he.
- Q: Does the
by + agentphrase always come at the end of the sentence?
In most standard passive constructions at the B1 level, yes, it typically appears at the end. This is the most natural and clear placement. While advanced constructions might occasionally place it elsewhere for emphasis, adhering to the end position ensures clarity.
- Q: Is it still passive voice if I include
by + agent?
Absolutely. The fundamental structure of the passive voice (Subject + be + Past Participle) remains unchanged. The by + agent phrase simply adds extra information about the performer of the action, but the grammatical subject still receives the action.
- Q: Does
by + agentalways indicate a living being?
No. While often a person, the agent can also be an organization (The report was published by the university.), a natural force (The trees were felled by the storm.), or even an abstract concept when personified. The key is that it is the active performer or cause of the action.
Passive Voice with 'By' Across Tenses
| Tense | Subject | Verb 'Be' | Past Participle | By + Agent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The reports
|
are
|
written
|
by the staff.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The report
|
was
|
written
|
by the manager.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
The report
|
is being
|
written
|
by the intern.
|
|
Past Continuous
|
The report
|
was being
|
written
|
by Sarah.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
The report
|
has been
|
written
|
by the team.
|
|
Future (Will)
|
The report
|
will be
|
written
|
by the director.
|
|
Modals
|
The report
|
must be
|
written
|
by you.
|
Meanings
The passive voice with 'by' is used to identify the 'agent' (the person or thing that performs the action) when the sentence structure is passive. It allows the speaker to emphasize the receiver of the action while still providing credit or responsibility to the doer.
Artistic & Intellectual Credit
Used to attribute books, paintings, songs, or inventions to their creators.
“This novel was written by George Orwell.”
“The symphony was composed by Beethoven.”
Official & Legal Responsibility
Used in news or legal documents to state who performed an official action.
“The law was passed by the parliament.”
“The decision was made by the CEO.”
Unexpected Agents
Used when the doer of the action is surprising or particularly noteworthy.
“The window was broken by a falling branch.”
“The cake was eaten by the dog!”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Obj + be + V3 + by + Agent
|
The car was fixed by the mechanic.
|
|
Negative
|
Obj + be + not + V3 + by + Agent
|
The car wasn't fixed by the mechanic.
|
|
Question
|
Be + Obj + V3 + by + Agent?
|
Was the car fixed by the mechanic?
|
|
Wh- Question
|
Wh- + be + Obj + V3 + by?
|
Who was the car fixed by?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, it was.
|
Was it fixed by him? Yes, it was.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, it wasn't.
|
Was it fixed by him? No, it wasn't.
|
Formality Spectrum
The manuscript was authored by an unknown scholar. (Literature)
The book was written by a local author. (Literature)
It was written by some guy I know. (Literature)
This was penned by my homie. (Literature)
The Passive 'By' Agent
When to use
- Artistic Credit Painted by Picasso
- Inventions Created by Tesla
- Responsibility Broken by the cat
Common Agents
- People by the doctor
- Organizations by NASA
- Nature by the wind
By (Agent) vs. With (Instrument)
Examples by Level
The book was written by him.
The cake was made by my dad.
The car was washed by Sam.
The photo was taken by her.
The window was broken by a ball.
The songs were sung by a famous choir.
The house was built by my grandfather in 1950.
The emails were sent by the secretary.
The new law was signed by the President yesterday.
The bridge was designed by a French architect.
The missing child was found by a local hiker.
The dinner was prepared by a professional chef.
The experiment was conducted by a team of researchers from Oxford.
The company was founded by two brothers in their garage.
The mural was painted by an anonymous artist overnight.
The decision was heavily criticized by the local media.
The initiative was spearheaded by a coalition of environmental NGOs.
The manuscript was discovered by chance by a young librarian.
The city's infrastructure was severely damaged by the hurricane.
The role was originally intended to be played by a younger actor.
The silence was eventually broken by the rhythmic ticking of the clock.
The policy was implemented by the government in the face of mounting public pressure.
The intricate patterns were woven by hand by artisans in the remote village.
The verdict was reached by the jury after three days of deliberation.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'by' for tools and 'with' for people.
In many languages, the word for 'from' is used for the passive agent.
Learners say 'He is known by everyone.'
Common Mistakes
The book was written from Mark.
The book was written by Mark.
The cake was make by Mom.
The cake was made by Mom.
The car was wash by Sam.
The car was washed by Sam.
It was by him written.
It was written by him.
The window was broken by a hammer.
The window was broken with a hammer.
The song was sang by her.
The song was sung by her.
The letter was by me sent.
The letter was sent by me.
The house was built of my father.
The house was built by my father.
The decision was made by the meeting.
The decision was made at the meeting.
He was known by everyone.
He was known to everyone.
The room was filled by smoke.
The room was filled with smoke.
Sentence Patterns
The ___ was ___ by ___.
Has the ___ been ___ by ___ yet?
The ___ is being ___ by ___ right now.
It is believed that the ___ was ___ by ___.
Real World Usage
This sculpture was created by a local artist.
The bank was robbed by three masked men.
Photo by @TravelGuru.
The project was managed by me and two colleagues.
The pyramids were built by thousands of workers.
Your ticket is being handled by our senior engineer.
The 'By' Test
Don't Overuse It
Focus on the 'By'
Giving Credit
Smart Tips
Always use 'by' to credit the creator. It's the most natural way to speak in English.
Pause and check if you should use 'with' instead of 'by'.
Put it at the end of the sentence with 'by' to make the sentence easier to read.
Ask yourself: 'Is it important to know who did this?' If no, delete the 'by' phrase.
Pronunciation
The 'By' Connection
The word 'by' is usually unstressed. It sounds like /baɪ/ but is said very quickly, linking the verb to the agent.
End-Focus
The book was written by SHAKESPEARE. ↘
The stress often falls on the agent at the end of the sentence because it is the new information.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
B.Y. stands for 'Behold the Yesterday-doer' — it brings the person from the past action back to the end of the sentence.
Visual Association
Imagine a movie poster where the title is huge at the top (the Object), and the director's name is in small letters at the bottom after the word 'By'. The focus is the movie, but the credit is at the end.
Rhyme
When the action is done and the object is first, use 'by' for the person or the bubble will burst!
Story
A famous painting was stolen from a museum. The news said 'The painting was taken' (Passive). Everyone asked 'Who?'. The news updated: 'The painting was taken BY a clever thief.' The 'by' solved the mystery.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room. Find three items and say who they were made or bought by. (e.g., 'This lamp was bought by my sister.')
Cultural Notes
In Western academic writing, the passive with 'by' is used to show objectivity. However, modern styles (like APA) now encourage the active voice ('We found that...') to be more direct.
The BBC and other UK news outlets frequently use the passive with 'by' to report crimes or official statements to avoid sounding biased.
In galleries worldwide, 'by' is the standard way to attribute work. You will almost never see 'from' or 'of' on a painting's label.
The use of 'by' to indicate an agent comes from Old English 'be', which originally meant 'near' or 'at'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'through the agency of'.
Conversation Starters
What is your favorite book, and who was it written by?
Think of a famous invention. Who was it invented by?
Was your house built by a company or an individual?
If your life were a movie, who would it be directed by?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
The letter was written ___ a fountain pen ___ my grandfather.
Which sentence correctly gives credit to the artist?
Find and fix the mistake:
The cake was eaten from the dog.
Active: 'Steve Jobs founded Apple.'
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
broken / by / was / window / the / him
You must always use 'by' in every passive sentence.
A: Who fixed your computer? B: It ___ by my brother.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesThe letter was written ___ a fountain pen ___ my grandfather.
Which sentence correctly gives credit to the artist?
Find and fix the mistake:
The cake was eaten from the dog.
Active: 'Steve Jobs founded Apple.'
Match the following:
broken / by / was / window / the / him
You must always use 'by' in every passive sentence.
A: Who fixed your computer? B: It ___ by my brother.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
14 exercisesThis famous cathedral ___ built ___ hundreds of workers.
The delicious cake was baked by a special recipe.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'El problema fue resuelto por mi colega.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentences:
The decision has already ___ made ___ the committee.
The new rules was announced by the principal.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'El trabajo de casa fue terminado por todos los estudiantes.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the fragments:
Many classic novels ___ still read ___ students today.
The new software is being developed by a small team of engineers now.
Score: /14
FAQ (8)
Don't use `by` if the agent is obvious (e.g., 'He was arrested'), unknown (e.g., 'My bike was stolen'), or unimportant (e.g., 'The road was paved').
Yes, but it's rare. Usually, we use the specific noun or a person's name. 'The window was broken by it' is grammatically correct but 'The window was broken by the wind' is better.
The passive voice itself is often formal, but adding `by` is just a way to provide information. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Use `by` for the person or force that does the action. Use `with` for the tool or object used to do it. 'The tree was cut by the lumberjack with an axe.'
Absolutely. 'The office is cleaned by a professional crew every night.'
In creative writing, 'by' can make sentences feel long and slow. However, in academic and technical writing, it is essential for accuracy.
Yes. 'He got caught by the police.' This is more informal than 'He was caught by the police.'
Usually, yes. However, you can add time phrases after it: 'The book was written by him in 1990.'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
por
Spanish speakers might confuse 'by' with 'for' because 'por' can mean both.
par
French sometimes uses 'de' for states (e.g., 'aimé de tous'), whereas English usually sticks to 'by' or 'to'.
von
German word order is much more flexible, often placing the 'von' phrase before the verb.
ni / ni yotte
Japanese passives often imply that the subject is 'adversely affected' by the action, which English doesn't necessarily do.
min qibal
In Arabic, it is often considered stylistically better to avoid mentioning the agent in a passive sentence.
bèi
In Chinese, the 'bèi' structure is traditionally used for negative or unpleasant events, though this is changing in modern usage.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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