Differences Between Active and Passive Voice
When constructing sentences, the choice between active and passive voice can significantly impact the clarity and impact of your writing. Understanding these two grammatical structures is essential for effective communication.
What is Active Voice?
In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb. This structure is straightforward and direct, making the sentence clear and engaging.
Structure: Subject + Verb + Object
Usage:
- More direct and clear.
- Preferred in most forms of writing for its clarity and conciseness.
Example:
- “The chef cooked the meal.”
- Subject: The chef
- Verb: cooked
- Object: the meal
What is Passive Voice?
In passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb. This structure can sometimes make sentences longer and less direct but is useful when the focus is on the action or the recipient of the action.
Structure: Object + Form of “to be” + Past Participle + (by + Agent)
Usage:
- Often used when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context.
- Can be useful in scientific and technical writing to focus on the action rather than the doer.
Example:
- “The meal was cooked by the chef.”
- Object: The meal
- Form of ‘to be’: was
- Past Participle: cooked
- Agent: by the chef
Differences Between Active and Passive Voice
| Active Voice | Passive Voice | |
| Definition | The subject performs the action expressed by the verb. | The subject is acted upon by the verb. |
| Structure | Subject + Verb + Object | Object + Form of “to be” + Past Participle + (by + Agent) |
| Example | The dog chased the cat. | The cat was chased by the dog. |
| Emphasis | Emphasizes the subject performing the action. | Emphasizes the action or the recipient of the action. |
| Clarity | More direct and clear. | Can be wordier and less direct. |
| Usage | Preferred in most forms of writing for clarity. | Used when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious. |
| Pros | – Clear and direct – Shorter and engaging | – Creates formality – Focuses on the action or outcome |
| Cons | – Can be too blunt or straightforward | – Often vaguer – Wordier and less engaging |
| Conversion | “The teacher praised the student.” → “The student was praised by the teacher.” | “The report was completed by the intern.” → “The intern completed the report.” |
| Common Use Cases | Everyday writing, storytelling, persuasive writing | Scientific, technical, formal writing |
When to Use Active Voice
Active voice is generally preferred in writing for its clarity and directness. It makes your sentences shorter and more engaging, which is particularly useful in storytelling, persuasive writing, and everyday communication.
Examples:
- “The manager will review the applications.”
- “She is writing a novel.”
When to Use Passive Voice
Passive voice is useful when the focus is on the action or when the doer of the action is unknown or irrelevant. It is commonly used in scientific, technical, and formal writing where the action itself is more important than the subject performing it.
Examples:
- “The applications will be reviewed by the manager.”
- “A novel is being written by her.”
Conversion Between Active and Passive Voice
Converting from active to passive voice involves rearranging the sentence structure so that the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
- Active: The chef prepared the meal.
Passive: The meal was prepared by the chef. - Active: The dog chased the cat.
Passive: The cat was chased by the dog. - Active: The manager approved the project.
Passive: The project was approved by the manager. - Active: She wrote a novel.
Passive: A novel was written by her. - Active: The teacher praised the student.
Passive: The student was praised by the teacher. - Active: The company launched a new product.
Passive: A new product was launched by the company. - Active: The gardener planted the flowers.
Passive: The flowers were planted by the gardener. - Active: The scientist conducted the experiment.
Passive: The experiment was conducted by the scientist. - Active: The police arrested the suspect.
Passive: The suspect was arrested by the police. - Active: The artist painted the mural.
Passive: The mural was painted by the artist.
- Active: The editor reviewed the manuscript.
Passive: The manuscript was reviewed by the editor. - Active: The child broke the vase.
Passive: The vase was broken by the child. - Active: The committee will announce the results.
Passive: The results will be announced by the committee. - Active: The musician played the song.
Passive: The song was played by the musician. - Active: The writer signed the contract.
Passive: The contract was signed by the writer. - Active: The construction workers built the bridge.
Passive: The bridge was built by the construction workers. - Active: The student solved the problem.
Passive: The problem was solved by the student. - Active: The lawyer presented the case.
Passive: The case was presented by the lawyer. - Active: The team won the match.
Passive: The match was won by the team. - Active: The host invited the guests.
Passive: The guests were invited by the host.
Choosing between active and passive voice depends on what you want to emphasize in your sentence. Active voice is usually more engaging and clear, while passive voice can be useful for focusing on the action or when the subject performing the action is not important.
