What does "Passive Construction" refer to in sentence structure?

Passive construction in sentence structure involves a focus on the action being performed on the subject rather than the subject performing the action. It typically follows a structure where the object of the action comes first, followed by the verb, and finally the subject. This contrasts with active voice, where the subject is clearly the actor in the sentence, performing the action.

In passive construction, the emphasis shifts away from who is performing the action to the recipient of the action. For example, in the sentence "The book was read by the student," "the book" is the subject receiving the action, while "the student" is the actor performing the action, but is placed at the end of the sentence. This highlights the concept of passive construction, which becomes a distinct method of conveying meaning in written communication.

Understanding this structure is essential in effectively analyzing sentence construction and ensuring clarity in writing, particularly in formal contexts such as code enforcement documentation, where precise language is crucial.