Active Voice and Passive Voice

Overview

Voice in grammar shows whether the subject of the sentence is doing the action (active voice) or receiving the action (passive voice). Understanding voice helps you write sentences that are clear, strong, and effective. Most of the time, especially in school and professional writing, active voice is preferred.

What is active voice

In active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action. These sentences are usually clearer and more direct.

• Example: 

                 Active: The student wrote the essay. (The subject student is doing the action wrote.)

Active voice is often better because it puts the focus on who is doing the action.

What is passive voice

In passive voice, the subject receives the action, and the person or thing doing the action may be unclear or added later.

• Example:

                 Passive: The essay was written by the student. (The subject essay is receiving the action was written.)

Passive voice isn’t always wrong, but it can sound vague or wordy if used too much.

When to use passive voice

Passive voice can be useful when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or obvious, or when you want to emphasize the receiver of the action.

• Example: The window was broken during the storm. (We don’t know who or what broke it, and the focus is on the window.)

• Example: The results were announced yesterday. (The speaker may not care who announced them.)

How to recognize passive voice

Look for a form of the verb “to be” (like is, was, were, are, been) followed by a past participle (like written, done, created). If you can add “by zombies” at the end and it still makes sense, it’s probably passive voice.

• Example: The cake was eaten (by zombies) = Passive voice

• Example: She ate the cake (by zombies?) = Active voice

How to revise passive voice

To change a passive sentence to active voice, identify who is doing the action and move them to the front of the sentence.

• Passive: The book was read by Maria.

• Active: Maria read the book.

Rewriting in active voice makes your meaning clearer and often makes your writing more engaging.

Summary

Active voice means the subject does the action; passive voice means the subject receives it. While both are grammatically correct, active voice is usually stronger and more direct. Knowing when and how to use each voice helps you write with confidence and clarity.