He was left by his wife.

Yes, but it is much weaker.

The passive voice here sounds very strange to me.

PhilipThe passive voice here sounds very strange to me.

Actually, that's what I was thinking. But I couldn't figure out why.

For what it's worth, a British newspaper uses this construction:

Arnold, who was left by his wife Maria Shriver after it emerged he had fathered a child with their Mexican maid, seemed in rema

JungKimFor what it's worth, a British newspaper uses this construction:Arnold, who was left by his wife Maria Shriver after it emerged he had fathered a child with their Mexican maid, seemed in remarkably high spirits considering claims she herself had an affair while they were together have just emerged.

And that

PhilipAnd that entire sentence is extremely awkward, one that I would never use as an example to be followed.

Really? Could you tell me what about it is awkward?

1) Unusual use of passive "was left". 2) 2 examples of "emerge" used in an unusual manner. 3) too darn long 4) missing comma after "spirits". 4) she her self had had an affair. Need more examples?