Active And Passive Voice Definition, Difference, Examples And Rules
Praveen Kushwah12 May, 2023
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Active And Passive Voice: In this article, you'll discover what active and passive voices are, understand their definitions, and learn how to use them. Through examples and clear explanations, you'll be able to use both active and passive voice accurately.
What is Voice?
The word 'voice' in grammar talks about how the verb shows if the subject is doing the action or receiving it. It helps describe the connection between the action and the participants (like the subject or object) in a sentence.
Types of Voice
English Grammar has two types voices:
- Active Voice and
- Passive Voice.
Active And Passive Voice Definition
Active And Passive Voice Differences
| Aspect | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Subject's Role | Subject is the doer of the action. | Subject is the receiver of the action. |
| Sentence Structure | Subject-Verb-Object. | Object-Verb-Subject. |
| Focus | Focus is on the doer of the action. | Focus is on the action or the receiver. |
| Clarity | Usually more straightforward and clear. | Can be more complex, and the doer may be unclear or omitted. |
| Usage | Common in everyday language. | Used in specific situations or when the doer is unknown or less important. |
What is the Active Voice?
The active voice in a sentence means that the noun or pronoun acting as the subject is doing the action. Simply put, the subject performs the action or does something to the verb.
The active voice is when "the form of a verb in which the subject is the person or thing that performs the action." Collins Dictionary defines it as "a voice of verbs used to indicate that the subject of a sentence is performing the action or causing the event or process described by the verb."
What is the Passive Voice?
The passive voice indicates that the subject is the one being acted upon by the action or verb in the sentence. It suggests that the subject is no longer active but passive.
The passive voice is when "the form of a verb used when the subject is affected by the action of the verb." Collins Dictionary describes the passive voice as "formed using ‘be’ and the past participle of a verb. The subject of a passive clause does not perform the action expressed by the verb but is affected by it."
Active And Passive Voice Examples
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| The cat chased the mouse. | The mouse was chased by the cat. |
| She is writing a novel. | A novel is being written by her. |
| They built a new house. | A new house was built by them. |
Active And Passive Voice Rules
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| Subject is the doer of the action. | Subject is the receiver of the action. |
| Subject-Verb-Object. | Object-Verb-Subject. |
| Focus on the doer of the action. | Focus on the action or the receiver. |
| Usually more straightforward. | Can be more complex. |
| Common in everyday language. | Used in specific situations. |
Using the Active Voice and the Passive Voice – Important Points
When using the active voice and the passive voice, there are a few important things to keep in mind. In English, the active voice is generally preferred as it provides information in a direct and clear manner. Avoid using the passive voice just because it may sound better; use it only when necessary. Remember, in the active voice, the subject performs the action, while in the passive voice, the subject receives the action. If you want to communicate your thoughts and ideas clearly, especially in a professional setting, it's best to use the active voice.
Here's a helpful tip to master the active and passive voice: understand their structures and formulas.
- Active Voice: Subject + Verb + Object
- Passive Voice: Object + Verb + Subject
Active and Passive Voice FAQs
What is active and passive voice example?
What is active voice?
What is passive voice?
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