The Difference between Active and Passive Voice
The active voice is used when the subject performs the action of the verb, while the passive voice is used when the subject receives the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence “John ate the apple,” John is the subject and he performed the action of eating the apple, making it an active sentence. In contrast, in the sentence “The apple was eaten by John,” the subject is the apple and it received the action of being eaten by John, making it a passive sentence.
Understanding the difference between active and passive voice is important for effective communication and clear writing. In general, active voice is preferred because it is more direct and concise, while passive voice can create ambiguity or make the sentence less engaging.
What is active and passive voice?
Active voice
the subject performs the action of the verb, while in passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb.
Examples of active voice:
The dog chased the cat.
In this sentence, the subject “the dog” performs the action “chased”.
The chef cooked the meal.
In this sentence, the subject “the chef” performs the action “cooked”.
She sings beautifully.
In this sentence, the subject “she” performs the action “sings”.
In general, active voice is preferred in writing because it is more concise, clear, and direct, while passive voice can create ambiguity and make the sentence less engaging.
Passive voice
The subject receives the action of the verb, rather than performing it. The sentence structure typically includes a form of the verb “to be” and the past participle of the main verb.
Examples of passive voice:
The cake was baked by my mom.
In this sentence, the subject “the cake” receives the action “was baked by”.
The window was broken by the ball.
In this sentence, the subject “the window” receives the action “was broken by”.
The package was delivered by the mail carrier.
In this sentence, the subject “the package” receives the action “was delivered by”.
Importance of active and passive voice
Important concepts in writing because they affect the clarity, directness, and impact of a sentence.
Active voice is generally preferred in writing because it puts the focus on the subject, making the sentence more concise, clear, and engaging. It also makes it easier for the reader to understand who is doing what, which can help to convey the writer’s intended meaning more effectively.
In contrast, passive voice can create ambiguity and make the sentence less clear and direct. However, there are situations where passive voice may be useful or necessary, such as when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant, or when the focus is on the receiver of the action rather than the doer.
In addition to affecting the clarity and impact of a sentence, the choice of active or passive voice can also affect the tone and style of writing. Active voice is often associated with assertiveness, confidence, and action, while passive voice is often associated with formality, detachment, and objectivity.
Types of active and passive voice
There are different types of active and passive voice that writers can use to convey meaning and tone.
Types of active voice include
Simple active voice: The subject performs the action of the verb
e.g. “The dog chased the cat.”
Progressive active voice: The subject is in the process of performing the action of the verb
e.g. “The dog is chasing the cat.”
Perfect active voice: The subject has completed the action of the verb
e.g. “The dog has chased the cat.”
Types of passive voice include
Simple passive voice: The subject receives the action of the verb
e.g. “The cat was chased by the dog.”
Progressive passive voice: The subject is receiving the action of the verb in an ongoing process
e.g. “The cat is being chased by the dog.”
Perfect passive voice: The subject has received the action of the verb
e.g. “The cat has been chased by the dog.”
It is worth noting that not all verbs can be used in the passive voice, and some verbs can have different meanings or implications when used in the passive voice. Therefore, it is important for writers to choose the appropriate voice based on the context and intended meaning of the sentence.