Passive voice: The kitchen has been cleaned.Īctive voice: We found an old car in the woods. It is also helpful for instances when the doer of an action (also known as the agent) is unknown.Īctive voice: The kids have cleaned the kitchen. But it is useful for those instances when you want to emphasize the fact of an action having taken place rather than who performed the action. Passive voice often gets criticized as a weak and evasive form of expression. The passive voice is often distinguished by its use of a linking verb form (e.g., was, had been) followed by another verb in its past participle form (e.g., "I have been given an opportunity"). Passive voice: The lamp was knocked over by Jerry.īoth sentences describe the same action taking place-Jerry making contact with a lamp and causing it to fall over-with the first sentence making Jerry the subject and the second making the lamp the subject. The passive voice makes the subject the person or thing acted on or affected by the action represented by the verb.Īctive voice: Jerry knocked over the lamp. The active voice asserts that the person or thing represented by the grammatical subject performs the action represented by the verb. By understanding the differences between active and passive voice and practicing their correct usage, you can improve your writing skills and convey your message more effectively.In English class, we are taught the difference between active and passive voice. While active voice is preferred in most writing, it is important to use passive voice when necessary to achieve the intended tone or emphasis. Conclusion:Īctive and passive voice are essential concepts in the English language that can greatly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. In some cases, using passive voice may be more appropriate or necessary to convey a specific message or tone. It is important to note that the use of active and passive voice can also vary depending on the context and purpose of the writing. For example, “The teacher assigned the homework, and it was completed by the students.” When using both active and passive voice in the same sentence, it is best to start with the active voice and end with the passive voice. A: Yes, it is possible to use both active and passive voice in the same sentence, but it is important to use them correctly to avoid confusion.Q: Can you use both active and passive voice in the same sentence?.A: Active voice is preferred over the passive voice in most writing because it is more direct, concise, and engaging.Q: Why is the active voice preferred over the passive voice in most writing?.There are situations where it is more appropriate to use passive voice over active voice. A: No, passive voice is not always incorrect.Using vague verbs such as “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were”.Overusing the passive voice in a paragraph or article. Using passive voice when the active voice is more direct.Using passive voice when the subject is clear.Using passive voice too often can lead to confusion and ambiguity. The walls were painted by the children.Īs you can see, in active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action, while in passive voice, the action is done to the subject.To help you understand the difference between active and passive voice, let’s look at some examples: Active Voice: Passive voice is also useful when you don’t know or don’t want to mention who performed the action. For instance, when you want to de-emphasize the subject or avoid assigning blame, passive voice is the best choice. Passive voice, on the other hand, is best used when the focus is on the action or the object of the sentence rather than the subject. Active voice is also useful in creating a sense of urgency, making your writing more engaging and compelling. It is best used when you want to emphasize the subject and the action. When to Use Active Voice?Īctive voice is the preferred sentence structure in most writing because it is more direct and concise. Passive voice, however, is more indirect and can lead to confusion and ambiguity. Active voice is more direct and concise, making it easier to read and understand. Active voice emphasizes the subject of the sentence, whereas passive voice emphasizes the action or the object of the sentence. The difference between active and passive voice lies in the emphasis of the sentence. For instance, “The postman was bitten by the dog.” Active Passive Voice: The Difference In other words, the action is done to the subject. Passive voice, on the other hand, is a sentence structure where the object of the sentence becomes the subject of the sentence. For instance: “The dog bit the postman.” What is Passive Voice? In other words, the subject of the sentence is the one doing the action, while the object receives the action. Active voice is a sentence structure where the subject of the sentence performs the action.
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