How can we report ideas and facts with the passive voice?
Two types of passive constructions exist: action passives and non-action passives. While action passives show actions, non-action passives express findings, ideas, beliefs, opinions, and facts.
![cauldron](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL130Youth/Unit05/5-4g1.jpg)
The ingredients for the potion were put into the cauldron. (The action is that the ingredients were put into the cauldron)
![smile](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL130Youth/Unit05/5-4g2.jpg)
A person's smile is considered to be one of the most important facial features. (This sentence expresses the findings of the mouth)
Non-action passives
We use non-action passives for reporting the news and in academic writing. These sentences are formed with be + past participle. Some common non-action passive verbs that are used to report ideas, beliefs, and opinions are "think", "consider", "regard", "say", "allege", "believe", "claim", and "suggest".
![hockey](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL130Youth/Unit05/5-4g3.jpg)
Ice hockey is regarded as Canada's favorite pastime.
![pomegranate](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL130Youth/Unit05/5-4g4.jpg)
Nutritionists have suggested that eating pomegranates is good for your heart.
Non-action passives can take a "by" phrase, as seen in the example below:
![alcoholism](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL130Youth/Unit05/5-4g5.jpg)
People who have alcoholism are often regarded by society as unapproachable.
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