The Passive Voice in Formal Reports

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use

Korean Helper Widgets to hear formal report chunks like 자료가 분석되었다, 변화가 관찰되었다, and 대책이 요구된다. The rhythm is crisp, serious, and wearing tiny office shoes. 👞

🌈 The Big Picture

• 연구진이 자료를 분석했다. — The research team analyzed the data.

• 자료가 분석되었다. — The data was analyzed.

• 조사 기관이 오류를 확인했다. — The investigating agency confirmed the error.

• 오류가 확인되었다. — An error was confirmed.

🎨 The Core Passive-in-Reports Family

1. -되다 passive/report verbs 📌

• 분석되다 — to be analyzed

• 확인되다 — to be confirmed

• 관찰되다 — to be observed

• 발견되다 — to be discovered/found

• 제시되다 — to be presented

• 요구되다 — to be required

• 실시되다 — to be conducted

• 진행되다 — to be carried out / proceed

2. -아/어지다 change/passive-like forms 🔄

• 높아지다 — to become higher

• 낮아지다 — to become lower

• 악화되다 / 나빠지다 — to worsen

• 개선되다 / 좋아지다 — to improve

• 응답률이 높아졌다. — The response rate increased.

• 재정 상황이 악화되었다. — The financial situation worsened.

3. Lexical passive verbs: -이/히/리/기- 🧩

• 보이다 — to be seen / appear

• 들리다 — to be heard

• 읽히다 — to be read

• 잡히다 — to be caught

• 일부 표현이 모호하게 읽힌다. — Some expressions read ambiguously.

• 현장에서 큰 소음이 들렸다. — A loud noise was heard at the site.

4. Agent marking: 에 의해 and its limits 🏛️

• Natural when agent matters: 해당 자료는 외부 기관에 의해 검토되었다. — The relevant materials were reviewed by an external institution.

• Heavy if overused: 자료가 연구진에 의해 분석되었다. can sound stiff if 연구진이 자료를 분석했다 would be clearer.

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

1. Result-focused report sentence

• 설문 자료가 세 단계로 분석되었다.
Survey data was analyzed in three stages. 📋
설문 자료 = survey data; 세 단계 = three stages; 분석되다 = to be analyzed.

2. Evidence-focused observation

• 응답자의 연령대에 따라 뚜렷한 차이가 관찰되었다.
A clear difference was observed according to the respondents’ age groups. 👥
응답자 = respondent; 연령대 = age group; 뚜렷하다 = to be clear/distinct.

3. Policy recommendation tone

• 장기적인 대책이 요구된다.
Long-term measures are required. 🧭
장기적 = long-term; 대책 = measure/countermeasure; 요구되다 = to be required.

4. Accountability still visible

• 해당 결과는 독립 기관에 의해 검토되었다.
The relevant results were reviewed by an independent institution. 🏛️
해당 = relevant; 독립 기관 = independent institution; 검토되다 = to be reviewed.

🧩 General Formation Rule

Noun + 되다

• 분석 → 분석되다 — analysis → to be analyzed

• 확인 → 확인되다 — confirmation → to be confirmed

• 관찰 → 관찰되다 — observation → to be observed

• 제시 → 제시되다 — presentation → to be presented

• 요구 → 요구되다 — demand/requirement → to be required

Passive sentence frame

• 자료가 분석되었다. — The data was analyzed.

• 문제가 확인되었다. — A problem was confirmed.

• 차이가 관찰되었다. — A difference was observed.

Agent included when needed

• 결과가 외부 전문가에 의해 검토되었다. — The results were reviewed by an outside expert.

🚨 Exception Rule(s)

• Not every 되다 verb is a true passive in the same way. Some simply describe a state or process, such as 진행되다 (to proceed / be carried out).

• -아/어지다 does not always mean “was done by someone.” It often means “became”: 높아졌다 = became higher.

• Avoid double-passive or overloaded forms when a simpler report verb exists.
• Prefer 확인되었다 over awkward attempts like “was made to be confirmed.”

• If responsibility matters, do not hide it behind passive language. Formal does not mean evasive.

📚 Cross-check note

🪞 Synonym Alert

• 분석하다 — to analyze; active, actor-focused.

• 분석되다 — to be analyzed; data/result-focused.

• 확인하다 — to confirm; actor-focused.

• 확인되다 — to be confirmed; finding-focused.

• 관찰하다 — to observe; researcher-focused.

• 관찰되다 — to be observed; phenomenon-focused.

• 제시하다 — to present; presenter-focused.

• 제시되다 — to be presented; content-focused.

• 요구하다 — to demand/request.

• 요구되다 — to be required; need-focused.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

• ❌ Turning every report sentence passive → ✅ use passive when the result or evidence matters more than the actor.

• ❌ Hiding responsibility with vague passive → ✅ name the actor when accountability matters.

• ❌ Overusing 에 의해 → ✅ include it only when the agent matters.

• ❌ Confusing change with passive → ✅ 높아졌다 often means “became higher,” not “was made high.”

• ❌ Writing unnatural noun-passive collocations → ✅ use common report pairs like 자료가 분석되다, 문제가 확인되다, 변화가 관찰되다.

📦

🎯 Practice Hub — The Passive Voice in Formal Reports

 

Welcome to the report-writing lab. 📊 Here you’ll practice choosing passive forms that make Korean reports sound objective, clear, and professional. The mission: spotlight the data without accidentally hiding important responsibility under a grammatical trench coat. 🕵️

 

🔊 Audio reminder: Use

Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear the rhythm of formal passive sentences.

 

📝 Instructions: Complete each sentence with the best passive/report expression. Pay attention to natural collocations, formal tone, and whether the actor should be included.

 

Exercise 1 — Report Collocation Builder 📑

A. 자료가 ＿＿＿＿.

The data was analyzed. 📊

Answer

분석되었다 — 자료가 분석되다.

B. 오류가 ＿＿＿＿.

An error was confirmed. 🧪

Answer

확인되었다.

C. 차이가 ＿＿＿＿.

A difference was observed. 👥

Answer

관찰되었다.

D. 결과가 ＿＿＿＿.

The results were presented. 📈

Answer

제시되었다.

E. 대책이 ＿＿＿＿.

Measures are required. 🧭

Answer

요구된다.

F. 조사가 ＿＿＿＿.

The survey was conducted. 📋

Answer

실시되었다.

G. 절차가 ＿＿＿＿.

The procedure was improved. 🛠️

Answer

개선되었다.

H. 문제가 ＿＿＿＿.

A problem was discovered. 🔎

Answer

발견되었다.

I. 검토가 ＿＿＿＿.

The review was completed. ✅

Answer

완료되었다.

J. 논의가 ＿＿＿＿.

The discussion proceeded / was carried out. 💬

Answer

진행되었다.

📑

Vocabulary Box

• 자료 → data/materials

• 오류 → error

• 차이 → difference

• 결과 → result

• 대책 → measure/countermeasure

• 조사 → survey/investigation

• 절차 → procedure

• 문제 → problem

• 검토 → review

• 논의 → discussion

Tip 💡 Formal passive often sounds natural when the noun and verb are a common pair.

 

Exercise 2 — Active to Objective Passive 🔄

A. 연구진이 자료를 분석했다 → 자료가 ＿＿＿＿.

The data was analyzed. 📊

Answer

분석되었다.

B. 조사 기관이 오류를 확인했다 → 오류가 ＿＿＿＿.

An error was confirmed. 🧪

Answer

확인되었다.

C. 보고서가 대안을 제시했다 → 대안이 ＿＿＿＿.

An alternative was presented. 📑

Answer

제시되었다.

D. 전문가가 결과를 검토했다 → 결과가 전문가에 의해 ＿＿＿＿.

The results were reviewed by an expert. 🏛️

Answer

검토되었다.

E. 연구자가 경향을 발견했다 → 경향이 ＿＿＿＿.

A tendency was discovered. 🔎

Answer

발견되었다.

F. 기관이 조사를 실시했다 → 조사가 ＿＿＿＿.

The survey was conducted. 📋

Answer

실시되었다.

G. 팀이 절차를 개선했다 → 절차가 ＿＿＿＿.

The procedure was improved. 🛠️

Answer

개선되었다.

H. 회의에서 결론을 도출했다 → 결론이 ＿＿＿＿.

A conclusion was drawn. 🎯

Answer

도출되었다.

I. 작성자가 표를 추가했다 → 표가 ＿＿＿＿.

A table was added. 📊

Answer

추가되었다.

J. 위원회가 방안을 승인했다 → 방안이 ＿＿＿＿.

The plan was approved. ✅

Answer

승인되었다.

🔄

Vocabulary Box

• 연구진 → research team

• 조사 기관 → investigating agency

• 전문가 → expert

• 기관 → institution

• 팀 → team

• 회의 → meeting

• 작성자 → writer/author

• 위원회 → committee

• 도출되다 → to be drawn/derived

• 추가되다 → to be added

• 승인되다 → to be approved

Tip 💡 The active object often becomes the passive subject: 자료를 → 자료가.

 

Exercise 3 — Keep or Remove the Actor? 🏛️

A. 결과는 외부 기관에 의해 ＿＿＿＿.

The results were reviewed by an external institution. 🏛️

Answer

검토되었다 — keep the actor because credibility matters.

B. 자료가 ＿＿＿＿.

The data was analyzed. 📊

Answer

분석되었다 — actor can be omitted if unimportant.

C. 오류는 담당 부서에 의해 ＿＿＿＿.

The error was confirmed by the department in charge. 🧪

Answer

확인되었다 — actor matters for responsibility.

D. 변화가 ＿＿＿＿.

A change was observed. 👀

Answer

관찰되었다 — the phenomenon is the focus.

E. 권고안은 위원회에 의해 ＿＿＿＿.

The recommendation was adopted by the committee. 📌

Answer

채택되었다.

F. 세부 기준이 ＿＿＿＿.

Detailed criteria were presented. 📏

Answer

제시되었다.

G. 결정 과정은 감사팀에 의해 ＿＿＿＿.

The decision process was reviewed by the audit team. 🧾

Answer

검토되었다.

H. 추가 대책이 ＿＿＿＿.

Additional measures are required. 🚨

Answer

요구된다.

I. 주요 내용은 발표자에 의해 ＿＿＿＿.

The main content was explained by the presenter. 🎤

Answer

설명되었다 — include actor if the presenter matters.

J. 조사는 온라인으로 ＿＿＿＿.

The survey was conducted online. 💻

Answer

실시되었다 — method matters more than actor.

🏛️

Vocabulary Box

• 외부 기관 → external institution

• 담당 부서 → department in charge

• 권고안 → recommendation

• 위원회 → committee

• 채택되다 → to be adopted

• 세부 기준 → detailed criteria

• 결정 과정 → decision process

• 감사팀 → audit team

• 추가 대책 → additional measures

• 주요 내용 → main content

• 발표자 → presenter

• 온라인 → online

Tip 💡 Add 에 의해 only when the actor contributes useful information.

 

Exercise 4 — Trend, Passive, or Active? 📈

A. 응답률이 ＿＿＿＿.

The response rate increased. 📈

Answer

높아졌다 — trend/change.

B. 불만 비율이 ＿＿＿＿.

The complaint rate decreased. 📉

Answer

낮아졌다 — trend/change.

C. 재정 상황이 ＿＿＿＿.

The financial situation worsened. 💸

Answer

악화되었다.

D. 서비스 품질이 ＿＿＿＿.

Service quality improved. 🛠️

Answer

개선되었다.

E. 연구진이 원인을 ＿＿＿＿.

The research team identified the cause. 🔎

Answer

확인했다 — active is better when the actor is the subject.

F. 원인이 ＿＿＿＿.

The cause was identified. 🧪

Answer

확인되었다 — passive finding-focused sentence.

G. 기관이 조사를 ＿＿＿＿.

The institution conducted the survey. 🏢

Answer

실시했다 — active because the institution is the actor.

H. 조사가 ＿＿＿＿.

The survey was conducted. 📋

Answer

실시되었다 — passive because the survey is the topic.

I. 위험성이 ＿＿＿＿.

The risk became greater. ⚠️

Answer

커졌다 — change/trend.

J. 필요성이 ＿＿＿＿.

The necessity was emphasized. 📣

Answer

강조되었다 — formal passive/report verb.

📈

Vocabulary Box

• 응답률 → response rate

• 불만 비율 → complaint rate

• 재정 상황 → financial situation

• 악화되다 → to worsen

• 서비스 품질 → service quality

• 원인 → cause

• 기관 → institution

• 위험성 → risk/danger level

• 커지다 → to become larger

• 필요성 → necessity

• 강조되다 → to be emphasized

Tip 💡 Trends often use change verbs like 높아지다, 낮아지다, and 커지다, not actor-based passive.

 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 연구진에 의해 자료가 분석되었다 when the actor is already the topic → ✅ 연구진이 자료를 ＿＿＿＿.

The research team analyzed the data. 📊

Answer

분석했다 — active is clearer when the actor matters.

B. ❌ 오류를 확인되었다 → ✅ 오류가 ＿＿＿＿.

An error was confirmed. 🧪

Answer

확인되었다 — passive subject uses 이/가.

C. ❌ 응답률이 높게 되었다 → ✅ 응답률이 ＿＿＿＿.

The response rate increased. 📈

Answer

높아졌다 — natural change verb.

D. 책임 주체가 중요하면 행위자를 ＿＿＿＿.

If the responsible party matters, name the actor. 🏛️

Answer

밝혀야 한다 — passive should not hide accountability.

E. 보고서에는 두 가지 해결책이 ＿＿＿＿.

Two solutions were presented in the report. 🧩

Answer

제시되었다.

F. 추가 검토가 ＿＿＿＿.

Additional review is required. 🔍

Answer

요구된다.

G. 회의는 외부 진행자에 의해 ＿＿＿＿.

The meeting was led by an external facilitator. 🎤

Answer

진행되었다 — actor is useful context here.

H. 자료가 아직 충분히 ＿＿＿＿ 않았다.

The data has not yet been sufficiently reviewed. 📁

Answer

검토되지 — negative passive: 검토되지 않았다.

I. 문제가 여러 부서에서 ＿＿＿＿.

The problem was discussed in several departments. 💬

Answer

논의되었다.

J. 정확한 원인은 아직 ＿＿＿＿ 않았다.

The exact cause has not yet been identified. 🧪

Answer

확인되지 — 확인되지 않았다.

🛡️

Final Check

• 자료가 분석되다 → data-focused passive

• 오류가 확인되다 → finding-focused passive

• 응답률이 높아지다 → trend/change

• 행위자를 밝히다 → identify the actor

• 해결책이 제시되다 → solution presented

• 검토가 요구되다 → review required

• 검토되지 않았다 → was not reviewed

• 논의되었다 → was discussed

• 확인되지 않았다 → was not confirmed

Tip 💡 Formal passive should clarify the report’s focus. If it hides crucial responsibility, rewrite.

 

🎉 You finished the formal passive report set. You can now choose between active clarity, passive objectivity, and trend-focused change verbs — the holy trinity of sounding professional without becoming a fog machine. 📊✨