How to Use Passive Voice in Norskprøven Writing

Learning to navigate the nuances of passive voice, particularly in the context of formal writing for the Norskprøven, can be a daunting task, much like learning to steer a ship through unfamiliar waters. This article aims to demystify the use of passive structures in Norwegian, offering a comprehensive guide for candidates preparing for this crucial language proficiency test. Understanding when and how to employ passive voice effectively can elevate your written responses from merely adequate to impressively nuanced, demonstrating a sophisticated command of the language.

At its core, the passive voice shifts the focus of a sentence from the doer of an action (the subject in an active sentence) to the recipient of the action or the action itself. In Norwegian, this grammatical transformation is achieved through specific verb conjugations and auxiliary verbs. Mastering these fundamental building blocks is essential before you can confidently construct more complex passive sentences. Think of it as learning the alphabet before you can write a novel; these are the essential characters of passive grammatical expression. Pass the Norskprøven with confidence—register at NLS Norwegian Language School now.

Understanding the ‘S-passiv’

The ‘S-passiv’ Explained

The most common and arguably most versatile form of the passive voice in Norwegian is the ‘s-passiv’. This construction is formed by adding an ‘-s’ suffix to the infinitive, present, or past tense of a verb. It is frequently used for general statements, general procedures, and when the agent performing the action is either unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context. For instance, you might see this in instructions, regulations, or news reports.

Forming the ‘S-passiv’

Infinitive: å lese (to read) becomes å leses (to be read).
Present Tense: leser (reads) becomes leses (is read).
Past Tense: leste (read) becomes leste (was read). Note that for the past tense, the ‘-s’ is added as a separate utterance, but the spelling often remains the same as the active past tense. However, the context will clarify its passive nature.

When to Employ the ‘S-passiv’

Consider the following scenarios where the ‘s-passiv’ is your go-to choice:

Reporting General Information and Procedures

When you are describing a general process or stating a fact that applies broadly, the ‘s-passiv’ is highly appropriate. This allows you to present information objectively, without highlighting a specific actor.

Example: Brevet sendes i morgen. (The letter is sent tomorrow.) – Here, who sends it is not the primary concern.
Example: Dette produktet selges over hele landet. (This product is sold all over the country.) – The focus is on the product’s availability, not the seller.

Expressing Regulations and Rules

Formal writing for the Norskprøven often includes discussions of rules, laws, and regulations. The passive voice is exceptionally well-suited for this purpose, as it emphasizes the rule itself rather than the authority enforcing it.

Example: Gjestene anses for å være informert om disse retningslinjene. (The guests are considered to be informed of these guidelines.)
Example: Man forventes å holde en rolig tone under diskusjonen. (One is expected to maintain a calm tone during the discussion.)

When the Agent is Unimportant or Unknown

The ‘s-passiv’ is your linguistic camouflage when you want to obscure or omit the person or entity performing the action.

Example: Tyveri straffes hardt i henhold til loven. (Theft is punished severely according to the law.) – The focus is on the punishment for theft, not on who specifically punishes.
Example: Feilen ble oppdaget for sent. (The error was discovered too late.) – We don’t know or care who discovered the error.

The ‘Bli’-Passiv

Understanding the ‘Bli’-Passiv

The ‘bli’-passiv is another crucial construction for expressing passive actions in Norwegian. Unlike the ‘s-passiv’, which often conveys an inherent state or general occurrence, the ‘bli’-passiv typically emphasizes a change of state or a specific event that has happened. It can feel more dynamic and action-oriented than the ‘s-passiv’. Think of it as watching a movie where something happens, versus reading a manual describing how things generally work.

Forming the ‘Bli’-Passiv

The ‘bli’-passiv is formed using the verb bli (to become) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure: bli + Past Participle

When to Employ the ‘Bli’-Passiv

The ‘bli’-passiv is particularly useful in situations where you wish to highlight the process of something being done or a change that has occurred.

Describing Events and Actions That Have Occurred

When you want to recount an event or describe something that has been done at a specific time or with a particular outcome, the ‘bli’-passiv is your tool.

Example: Huset ble malt i fjor. (The house was painted last year.) – This emphasizes the completed action and the change in the house’s state.
Example: Døren ble åpnet forsiktig. (The door was opened carefully.) – This focuses on the action of opening and how it was performed.

Emphasizing a Change of State

If the passive construction is used to illustrate a transition from one state to another, the ‘bli’-passiv is often the preferred choice.

Example: De ble enige om en løsning. (They became agreed on a solution.) – This highlights the process of reaching an agreement.
Example: Mange arbeidsplasser ble nedlagt under krisen. (Many jobs were laid off during the crisis.) – This emphasizes the loss of jobs as a change in the employment landscape.

When the Agent is Known or Implied (Though Often Omitted for Effect)

While the ‘bli’-passiv can also omit the agent, it can sometimes be used even when the agent is understood, especially to add emphasis to the action or its result. However, for the sake of conciseness in formal writing, the agent is usually left out.

Example: Brevet ble sendt av posten. (The letter was sent by the post office.) – While grammatically correct, often “Brevet ble sendt.” is sufficient, and the agent is implied.

Navigating the Norskprøven: Passive Voice in Context

The Norskprøven, whether taken for general proficiency or specific academic purposes, requires candidates to demonstrate a command of various grammatical structures. Effective use of passive voice can significantly enhance your writing responses, particularly in the more formal sections of the test. It allows for objectivity, precision, and a more sophisticated tone, qualities highly valued by examiners. Imagine your writing as a well-constructed building; passive voice adds structural integrity and a polished facade.

Enhancing Formal Writing

In essays, reports, and other formal writing tasks for the Norskprøven, the passive voice can lend a more authoritative and objective tone. It helps to distance the writer from the subject matter, presenting information as factual and less prone to personal bias.

Achieving Objectivity

When discussing research findings, historical events, or societal issues, the passive voice allows you to focus on the information itself rather than personal opinions or the sources of that information.

Example: Det ble observert at studentene brukte mer tid på oppgaven enn forventet. (It was observed that the students used more time on the task than expected.) – This sounds more academic than saying “I observed that…”.
Example: Resultatene ble analysert grundig før konklusjonene ble trukket. (The results were analysed thoroughly before the conclusions were drawn.)

Demonstrating Nuance and Sophistication

The ability to wield passive voice correctly signals a deeper understanding of Norwegian grammar. It allows you to express complex ideas without bogging down the reader with unnecessary details about the agent. This demonstrates a mature command of the language, akin to a skilled artisan knowing when to use a delicate tool for a precise task.

Example: Problemet kan løses ved å implementere nye strategier. (The problem can be solved by implementing new strategies.) – This is more concise and direct than “New strategies can be used to solve the problem.”

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

While passive voice is a valuable tool, its misuse can lead to awkward phrasing, ambiguity, or even grammatical errors. Awareness of these common pitfalls is as crucial as knowing how to construct the passive voice in the first place.

The ‘Long-Winded’ Passive

One common mistake is to use the passive voice unnecessarily, making sentences overly long and convoluted. The active voice is often more direct and concise. Always ask yourself if the passive voice truly adds value or if an active construction would be clearer.

Example of overused passive: En rapport om klimaendringer ble skrevet av en gruppe forskere som ble ansatt av universitetet, og funnene ble presentert for publikum under et foredrag som ble holdt i går. (A report on climate change was written by a group of researchers who were employed by the university, and the findings were presented to the public during a lecture that was held yesterday.)
More concise active alternative: En gruppe forskere ansatt av universitetet skrev en rapport om klimaendringer. De presterte funnene for publikum under et foredrag i går. (A group of researchers employed by the university wrote a report on climate change. They presented the findings to the public during a lecture yesterday.)

Ambiguity of the Agent

Although passive voice can be used to omit the agent, if the agent is important for understanding the sentence, omitting it can lead to confusion.

Ambiguous: Hytta ble bygd for lenge siden. (The cabin was built a long time ago.) – By whom?
Clearer (if the builder is relevant): Hytta ble bygd av bestefaren min. (The cabin was built by my grandfather.)

Incorrect Verb Forms

A frequent error is using the wrong past participle with bli or failing to correctly form the ‘s-passiv’. Double-checking verb conjugations is paramount.

Incorrect: Huset ble malt i går med en blå farge. (Active sentence would be: Jeg malte huset i går med en blå farge.) In passive, this is correct.
Incorrect: Denne boken leser mange mennesker. (Should be ‘selges’ or similar in passive context, or active ‘leser’ in active voice). If the intention is passive, it should be something like Denne boken leses av mange mennesker. (This book is read by many people.)

Advanced Applications of Passive Voice

Beyond the fundamental uses, passive voice can be employed in more sophisticated ways to enhance your writing. Understanding these advanced applications will help you write with greater finesse and precision, making your Norskprøven responses stand out.

Hypothetical and Conditional Sentences

Passive voice can be effectively integrated into hypothetical and conditional clauses, adding a layer of formality and theoretical consideration.

Example: Et slikt problem kunne ha blitt unngått dersom man hadde handlet raskere. (Such a problem could have been avoided if one had acted faster.)
Example: Dersom forslaget ble akseptert, ville det ha stor innvirkning på samfunnet. (If the proposal were accepted, it would have a significant impact on society.)

The Role in Academic Discourse

In academic writing, where objectivity and precision are paramount, passive voice is a staple. It allows for the presentation of research, theories, and arguments in a detached, factual manner.

Example: Forskning har vist at visse stoffer frigjøres under intense trening. (Research has shown that certain substances are released during intense exercise.)
Example: Denne teorien blir ofte diskutert i faglige kretser. (This theory is often discussed in academic circles.)

Impersonal Constructions

Passive voice is a key component in forming impersonal constructions in Norwegian, which are often used to express general truths, opinions, or obligations without attributing them to a specific individual.

Example: Det sies at tiden leger alle sår. (It is said that time heals all wounds.)
Example: Man må ta hensyn til miljøet. (One must take consideration of the environment.)

Common Impersonal Phrases

Familiarise yourself with common impersonal phrases that rely on passive structures. These are frequently encountered in formal texts and can enrich your own writing.

Det blir hevdet at… (It is claimed that…)
Det kan antas at… (It can be assumed that…)
Det er kjent at… (It is known that…)

The Power of Passive Voice in Norskprøven Writing

The Norwegian Test Preparation course at the NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo offers a focused and effective pathway to mastering structures like the passive voice, essential for Norskprøven success. This specialized course is meticulously crafted for individuals dedicated to achieving fluency and proficiency in Norwegian, particularly for those aiming to excel in the Norskprøven. The Norskprøven, a key benchmark for demonstrating Norwegian language competence in Norway, demands a nuanced understanding of grammatical constructs, including the judicious use of the passive voice.

This program caters to learners at all stages of their language journey, aligning precisely with the rigorous standards set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). By participating in our dedicated Norskprøven preparation, students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical application opportunities.

Our comprehensive Norskprøven course includes strategically designed mock tests. These simulations are invaluable for allowing students to practise putting their knowledge of grammar, including the correct and effective use of passive voice, into action. The feedback and experience gained from these mock tests are instrumental in helping students boost their confidence and prepare thoroughly to pass the Norskprøven.

Preparation is Key

The NLS Norwegian Language School’s approach to the Norskprøven is holistic. We understand that success on this test is not just about knowing grammar rules in isolation, but about being able to deploy them effectively in written communication. The passive voice, when used correctly, adds a layer of sophistication and objectivity that can significantly impress examiners. It demonstrates a writer’s ability to move beyond simple sentence constructions and to express ideas with greater precision and formality.

Practical Application in Mock Tests

The mock tests are designed to replicate the actual Norskprøven experience. Students will be given writing tasks that require them to employ various grammatical structures, including the passive voice, in appropriate contexts. For example, they might be asked to write an essay discussing a societal issue, where objectivity is crucial, and the passive voice would be a natural and effective choice.

Example scenario in mock test: A prompt might ask students to discuss the impact of technology on modern society. A well-structured response would likely incorporate passive voice when describing general trends or consequences, such as: Sosiale medier har endret måten vi kommuniserer på (active). vs. Måten vi kommuniserer på er endret av sosiale medier (passive). Or, Ny teknologi blir stadig utviklet for å forbedre hverdagen. (New technology is continually developed to improve everyday life.)

By engaging with these exercises, learners at NLS Norwegian Language School will gain confidence in their ability to:

Identify situations where the passive voice is the most appropriate choice for conveying meaning.
Construct passive sentences accurately, using both the ‘s-passiv’ and the ‘bli’-passiv correctly.
Avoid common errors associated with passive voice usage.
Integrate passive voice seamlessly into their writing to enhance clarity, objectivity, and sophistication.

This dedicated preparation ensures that when candidates sit for the Norskprøven, they are not only equipped with the knowledge of how to use the passive voice but also with the practical experience in deploying it effectively within the demanding framework of a formal language assessment.

Conclusion

Aspect	Description	Example (Active Voice)	Example (Passive Voice)	Usage Tip
Definition	Passive voice emphasises the action or the object receiving the action rather than the subject performing it.	Jeg skriver brevet. (I write the letter.)	Brevet blir skrevet. (The letter is being written.)	Use to focus on the action or when the subject is unknown or irrelevant.
Formation	Use the auxiliary verb “bli” or “være” + past participle of the main verb.	Hun maler huset. (She paints the house.)	Huset blir malt. (The house is painted.)	Choose “bli” for ongoing actions and “være” for completed states.
Common Verbs	Verbs like “skrive” (to write), “lese” (to read), “gjøre” (to do) are often used in passive.	Han gjør oppgaven. (He does the task.)	Oppgaven blir gjort. (The task is done.)	Practice with common verbs to improve fluency in passive constructions.
When to Use	Use passive voice to avoid mentioning the subject or to create a formal tone.	De bygger veien. (They build the road.)	Veien blir bygget. (The road is being built.)	Useful in formal writing and when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
Common Mistakes	Incorrect verb form or mixing active and passive structures.	Brevet blir skrive. (Incorrect)	Brevet blir skrevet. (Correct)	Always use the past participle form after “bli” or “være”.
Frequency in Norskprøven	Passive voice is commonly tested in writing tasks to assess grammar skills.	N/A	N/A	Practice passive constructions regularly to improve exam performance.

The passive voice, while sometimes perceived as complex, is an indispensable element of formal Norwegian writing. By understanding its two primary forms, the ‘s-passiv’ and the ‘bli’-passiv, and by recognising the contexts in which each is most effective, candidates can significantly enhance their Norskprøven performance. The Norwegian Test Preparation course at the NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo provides the ideal environment to hone these skills. Through targeted instruction and rigorous mock tests, learners are empowered to wield passive voice with confidence and precision, thereby demonstrating a sophisticated command of the Norwegian language and successfully navigating the challenges of the Norskprøven. Mastering the passive voice is not merely about adhering to grammatical rules; it is about unlocking a more nuanced, objective, and impactful means of written communication.