--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Constructing passive sentences is a way…" description: "\"Constructing passive sentences is a way of concealing your own testicles.\" — Ian Holm" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80b/ian-holm-38178_concealing_constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way_2528463.jpg" --- # Constructing passive sentences is a way of concealing your… ![“Constructing passive sentences is a way of concealing your own testicles.” quote by Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80b/ian-holm-38178_concealing_constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way_2528463.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80b/ian-holm-38178_concealing_constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way_2528463.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80b/ian-holm-38178_concealing_constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way_2528463.jpg) > “Constructing passive sentences is a way of concealing your own testicles.” [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote humorously suggests that using passive voice hides the speaker’s responsibility. **In simple terms:** Passive voice can mask who does what. Key Takeaway Be clear about agency. Themes communication language responsibility Mood wry critical Type humorous observational When to use this quote - writing - public speaking - teaching - editing Key Concepts grammar psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does passive voice affect perception of blame? - When is passive voice appropriate? A Different Perspective Passive voice may obscure accountability in complex situations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concealing/) [Concealing Testicles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concealing-testicles-1320001/) [Constructing Passive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constructing-passive-1320004/) [Passive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passive/) [Passive Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passive-sentences-1320002/) [Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences/) [Testicles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testicles/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Concealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-concealing-1320003/) ## Related quotes > [The surest way of concealing from others the boundaries of one s own knowledge is not to overstep them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-leopardi/the-surest-way-of-concealing-from-others-the-boundaries-of-one-s-own/) [Giacomo Leopardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-leopardi/) > [I know that deep inside you there's a humongous set of testicles just waiting to pop out. Let 'em pop, bro. -Kenny Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eastbound-and-down/i-know-that-deep-inside-you-there-s-a-humongous-set-of-testicles-just-2/) [Eastbound And Down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eastbound-and-down/) > [I know that deep inside you there's a humongous set of testicles just waiting to pop out. Let 'em pop, bro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/i-know-that-deep-inside-you-there-s-a-humongous-set-of-testicles-just/) [Danny Mcbride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [If it has tires or testicles, you're going to have trouble with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-j-furney/if-it-has-tires-or-testicles-you-re-going-to-have-trouble-with-it/) [Linda J. Furney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-j-furney/) > [I gave my father a heart attack. It was a practical joke. Come on, you push a guy's face in a cake he's got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-titus/i-gave-my-father-a-heart-attack-it-was-a-practical-joke-come-on-you/) [Christopher Titus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-titus/) > [“If a UFO did land, and invite me onboard, I'd love to have the balls to go in. So, I search the skies for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-jae-baeli/if-a-ufo-did-land-and-invite-me-onboard-i-d-love-to-have-the-balls-to/) [Kelli Jae Baeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-jae-baeli/) > [Most directors make films with their eyes; I make films with my testicles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/most-directors-make-films-with-their-eyes-i-make-films-with-my/) [Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/) > [What's up? I'm Harris. I'm 33 years young. I have my cousin Jason's truck for two more weeks. I have one testicle-whack a mole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harris-wittels/what-s-up-i-m-harris-i-m-33-years-young-i-have-my-cousin-jason-s/) [Harris Wittels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harris-wittels/) > [“Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/touch-her-and-i-ll-freeze-your-testicles-off-and-put-them-in-a-jar/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [I hang onto my prejudices, they are the testicles of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/i-hang-onto-my-prejudices-they-are-the-testicles-of-my-mind/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I noticed that all the prayers I used to offer to God, and all the prayers I now offer to Joe Pesci, are being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-noticed-that-all-the-prayers-i-used-to-offer-to-god-and-all-the/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Who knew, that a man with 24 inch pythons would have half inch testicles!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-rock/who-knew-that-a-man-with-24-inch-pythons-would-have-half-inch/) [The Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-rock/) > [My writing routine is everyday I put a record on, the same one since 20 years. Then I burn a stick of incense, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/my-writing-routine-is-everyday-i-put-a-record-on-the-same-one-since/) [Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/) > [I take offense to that. (Pandora) And I take offense to my sudden need for a testicle retrieval. You know, I would have liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-take-offense-to-that-pandora-and-i-take-offense-to-my-sudden-need/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [If you lay a hand on me I'll ram your testicles so far up inside your abdomen it'll take a heart surgeon to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/if-you-lay-a-hand-on-me-i-ll-ram-your-testicles-so-far-up-inside-your/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) ## More by Ian Holm > ['Whatever it takes' is my opinion of method acting and, indeed, any other kind of acting. Look at Brando and De Niro. But it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/whatever-it-takes-is-my-opinion-of-method-acting-and-indeed-any-other/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [As an actor, I'm very much a company person. And this also goes through my life: I have a dread of responsibility. I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/as-an-actor-i-m-very-much-a-company-person-and-this-also-goes-through/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [Those remarkable, God-given eyes! That glorious, good-natured personality! Elijah's Frodo is a dazzling light in the doom and gloom of war and despair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/those-remarkable-god-given-eyes-that-glorious-good-natured/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [All performances are different. I don't think it's necessary to compare one with another. I am just me playing the role of Lear. You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/all-performances-are-different-i-don-t-think-it-s-necessary-to/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [It's not easy to shout against real elements. The elements are big, and the human voice is very small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/it-s-not-easy-to-shout-against-real-elements-the-elements-are-big-and/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [If everyone's ready for a shot to start, except for one actor who's intent on getting to the bottom of their soul, it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/if-everyone-s-ready-for-a-shot-to-start-except-for-one-actor-who-s/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [The most important thing in the face is the eyes, and if you can make the eyes talk, you're halfway there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/the-most-important-thing-in-the-face-is-the-eyes-and-if-you-can-make/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [I get a lot of fan mail addressed to Bilbo and sometimes Sir Bilbo - it's hardly ever addressed to Ian Holm, in fact.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/i-get-a-lot-of-fan-mail-addressed-to-bilbo-and-sometimes-sir-bilbo-it/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [I grew up with the great Sir Laurence Olivier, and I think it's fair to say that a lot of actors of my age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/i-grew-up-with-the-great-sir-laurence-olivier-and-i-think-it-s-fair/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [Scarlett Johansson was wonderful in 'Lost in Translation,' and then, seemingly within a couple of weeks, she became completely Hollywoodised. I was shocked. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/scarlett-johansson-was-wonderful-in-lost-in-translation-and-then/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) > [Bite your teeth into the ass of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/bite-your-teeth-into-the-ass-of-life/) [Ian Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) [Explore all 12 Ian Holm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/) ## More Concealing quotes > [All black people who are even minimally conscious, black people who have ever experienced Europe's technological power crusading in the vanguard of a civilizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-nkosi/all-black-people-who-are-even-minimally-conscious-black-people-who/) [Lewis Nkosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-nkosi/) > [Frying gives cooks numerous ways of concealing what appeared the day before and in a pinch facilitates sudden demands, for it takes little more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-anthelme-brillat-savarin/frying-gives-cooks-numerous-ways-of-concealing-what-appeared-the-day/) [Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-anthelme-brillat-savarin/) > [By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/by-and-large-language-is-a-tool-for-concealing-the-truth/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Racism is still alive they just be concealing it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/racism-is-still-alive-they-just-be-concealing-it/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [Slander is perhaps the only vice which no circumstance can palliate, as well as being one which we are most ingenious in concealing from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-massillon/slander-is-perhaps-the-only-vice-which-no-circumstance-can-palliate/) [Jean Baptiste Massillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-massillon/) > [“The truth doesn’t make you vulnerable—concealing it does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-mcman/the-truth-doesn-t-make-you-vulnerable-concealing-it-does/) [Ann McMan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-mcman/) > [Art lies in concealing art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/art-lies-in-concealing-art/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Writing the book was itself a process of concealing and revealing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-moody/writing-the-book-was-itself-a-process-of-concealing-and-revealing/) [Rick Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-moody/) > [People actually live with their I'd exposed. They're not good at concealing what's going on inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-actually-live-with-their-i-d-exposed-they-re-not-good-at/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All corporatism – even when practised in societies where hard work, enterprise and cooperation are as highly valued as in Korea – encourages inflexibility,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/all-corporatism-even-when-practised-in-societies-where-hard-work/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [They clichés will construct your sentences for you - even think your thoughts for you, to a certain extent - and at need they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/they-clich-s-will-construct-your-sentences-for-you-even-think-your/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Don't think you are going to conceal thoughts by concealing evidence that they ever existed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/don-t-think-you-are-going-to-conceal-thoughts-by-concealing-evidence/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [“If you want to spot a liar, just remember that concealing the truth is like swallowing a slow-acting poison. It might take a while,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-scarborough/if-you-want-to-spot-a-liar-just-remember-that-concealing-the-truth-is/) [Sheryl Scarborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-scarborough/) > [The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-constancy-of-the-wise-is-only-the-talent-of-concealing-the/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Ambition is the subtlest beast of the intellectual and moral field. It is wonderfully adroit in concealing itself from its owner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/ambition-is-the-subtlest-beast-of-the-intellectual-and-moral-field-it/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) [Browse all 107 Concealing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concealing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Constructing passive sentences is a way of concealing your own testicles.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ian Holm" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way-of-concealing-your-own/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Concealing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way-of-concealing-your-own/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80b/ian-holm-38178_concealing_constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way_2528463.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80b/ian-holm-38178_concealing_constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way_2528463.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80b/ian-holm-38178_concealing_constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way_2528463.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Constructing passive sentences is a way of concealing your own testicles.” — Ian Holm", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ian Holm", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holm/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Constructing passive sentences is a way...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way-of-concealing-your-own/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holm/constructing-passive-sentences-is-a-way-of-concealing-your-own/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```