In writing, clarity and precision are essential, and the choice between active and passive voice can significantly influence the tone and effectiveness of your writing. Whether you’re composing an academic essay, crafting a professional email, or writing creatively, knowing when to use the active or passive voice is an important skill. In this blog post, we’ll explore what active and passive voices are, how to identify them, and when to use each for maximum impact.
What is Active Voice and Passive Voice?
The active voice and passive voice are two different ways of constructing sentences. The primary difference lies in the focus of the sentence: active voice emphasises the subject performing the action, while passive voice emphasises the action itself or the recipient of the action.
- Active Voice: In an active voice sentence, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb. This structure tends to be clearer and more direct, making the writing easier to understand.
Example of active voice:
The researcher conducted the experiment. - Passive Voice: In a passive voice sentence, the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. Passive constructions often involve a form of the verb “to be” (e.g., is, was, were) and the past participle of the main verb. Although passive voice can sometimes be useful, it can result in less direct or engaging writing.
Example of passive voice:
The experiment was conducted by the researcher.
While both voices are grammatically correct, understanding when to use each can greatly improve your writing, whether you’re aiming for brevity, clarity, or emphasis.
Active Voice vs Passive Voice: Key Differences
The most significant difference between active and passive voice lies in who or what is the focus of the sentence.
- Active voice: The subject of the sentence performs the action. It’s often more direct and engaging because it clearly indicates who is doing what.
Example: The student completed the assignment on time. - Passive voice: The subject of the sentence receives the action. Passive sentences often shift the focus away from the subject and place it on the object or the action itself.
Example: The assignment was completed on time by the student.
Understanding this fundamental distinction is key to recognising when to use each voice.
Active Voice Sentences: Why They’re Preferable in Most Writing
In academic, professional, and most types of writing, the active voice is generally preferred. It tends to be clearer, more concise, and easier to understand. Active voice sentences also allow the writer to maintain a strong, assertive tone, which can be essential for conveying ideas effectively.
Examples of active voice sentences:
- The author argued that social media affects communication skills.
- The committee approved the new budget proposal yesterday.
- The teacher praised the students for their excellent essays.
Active voice sentences tend to provide more direct information and are particularly useful in situations where the reader needs to know who is responsible for the action.
Passive Voice Sentences: When They’re Useful
While active voice is often preferable, there are times when passive voice is useful or even necessary. The passive voice can be especially helpful when:
- The doer of the action is unknown: In situations where the person performing the action isn’t important or isn’t known, the passive voice can help maintain clarity.
Example: The letter was sent yesterday. (The person who sent the letter is not specified.) - The action is more important than the doer: In some contexts, the focus needs to be on the action itself rather than on who is performing it. This is particularly common in scientific writing or reports where the process or outcome is more important than the person carrying out the action.
Example: The experiment was conducted using the latest technology. - You want to maintain objectivity: In academic or formal writing, passive voice can be useful to create a sense of objectivity, especially when you want to avoid assigning blame or responsibility.
Example: The error was discovered during the final review.
While these situations are valid, it’s important not to overuse the passive voice, as it can make sentences feel impersonal, convoluted, or vague.
Passive Sentences Rules: Understanding the Structure
To form a passive sentence, follow these basic rules:
- The object of the action in an active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
- The verb “to be” is used in the appropriate tense (is, are, was, were, etc.).
- The past participle of the main verb is used.
- The agent performing the action (if mentioned) typically follows the word “by” (though sometimes it is omitted if unimportant or unknown).
Example 1: Active to Passive
- Active: The company launched a new product.
- Passive: A new product was launched by the company.
Example 2: Active to Passive (with an Unknown Agent)
- Active: The council passed the new policy.
- Passive: The new policy was passed.
In the second example, the agent is not mentioned, as it may not be important in the context.
When to Use Active and Passive Voice
Here’s a quick guide on when to use active and passive voice:
- Use active voice when you want to emphasise who is performing the action, or when the subject of the sentence is important.
- Use passive voice when the focus is on the action or the object of the action, when the doer is unknown, or when you want to de-emphasise responsibility or objectivity.
In academic writing, especially in humanities and social sciences, active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and engagement. However, in scientific writing or technical reports, the passive voice might be used more frequently, especially when the focus is on the process or result rather than the researcher.
Active Voice and Passive Voice Examples
Here are several examples comparing active and passive voice to further illustrate the difference:
- Active: The researcher analysed the data. Passive: The data was analysed by the researcher.
- Active: She wrote the report on climate change. Passive: The report on climate change was written by her.
- Active: The teacher corrected the essays. Passive: The essays were corrected by the teacher.
- Active: They discovered a new planet. Passive: A new planet was discovered.
Making the Right Choice Between Active and Passive Voice
Both active and passive voices have their place in writing. The active voice is generally preferred for its clarity, engagement, and directness, making it ideal for most types of writing, including essays, reports, and professional documents. The passive voice, however, can be useful in specific situations where the focus is on the action or result rather than the doer, or when the doer is unknown or unimportant. Understanding when to use each voice is crucial for effective communication. By mastering the active and passive voices, you can tailor your writing to suit different contexts and audiences, improving the clarity and impact of your messages.
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