Active and passive voice are two different ways of expressing an action or event in a sentence. In an active voice sentence, the subject of the sentence performs the action, while in a passive voice sentence, the subject of the sentence receives the action.
Active voice
Active voice sentences are usually more direct, clear, and concise than passive voice sentences. They also tend to be more engaging and interesting to read.
Passive voice
Passive voice sentences, on the other hand, can be useful in certain situations, such as when the focus of the sentence is on the object of the action rather than the subject.
Here are some examples of active voice and passive voice sentences:
Active voice: The cat chased the mouse.
Passive voice: The mouse was chased by the cat.
In the active voice sentence, the subject (cat) performs the action (chased), while in the passive voice sentence, the subject (mouse) receives the action (was chased).
Active voice: John wrote the report.
Passive voice: The report was written by John.
In the active voice sentence, the subject (John) performs the action (wrote), while in the passive voice sentence, the subject (report) receives the action (was written).
Active voice :The teacher graded the exams.
Passive voice: The exams were graded by the teacher.
In the active voice sentence, the subject (teacher) performs the action (graded), while in the passive voice sentence, the subject (exams) receives the action (were graded).
In general, active voice sentences are preferred in most types of writing, including academic writing, journalism, and fiction. They are more engaging and make the writing more interesting to read. Passive voice sentences, on the other hand, can be useful in certain situations, such as when the focus of the sentence is on the object of the action rather than the subject.
Here are some guidelines for using active and passive voice:
- Use active voice for most types of writing, including academic writing, journalism, and fiction.
- Use passive voice when the focus of the sentence is on the object of the action rather than the subject.
- Use passive voice when the subject of the sentence is unknown or unimportant.
- Use passive voice when the action is more important than the subject.
- Avoid using passive voice when it makes the sentence unclear or awkward.
In conclusion, active and passive voice are two different ways of expressing an action or event in a sentence. Active voice sentences are usually more direct, clear, and concise than passive voice sentences. Passive voice sentences, on the other hand , can be useful in certain situations, such as when the focus of the sentence is on the object of the action rather than the subject. It's important to use active and passive voice appropriately and to be aware of the effects they have on the tone and clarity of your writing. By following the guidelines above, you can use active and passive voice effectively to communicate your message clearly and engagingly.