Active and Passive Voice

Active and Passive Voice in English

In English, sentences can be written in either active or passive voice. Understanding the difference between these two voices helps in making sentences clear and emphasizing the desired part of the sentence.

Active Voice

Definition: In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb. Active voice sentences are generally clearer and more direct.

Structure: Subject + Verb + Object

Examples:

  • The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object).
  • She (subject) writes (verb) a letter (object).
  • The chef (subject) cooked (verb) the meal (object).

Advantages:

  • Clear and direct.
  • Easier to understand.
  • Often more concise.

Passive Voice

Definition: In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb. The focus is often on the action itself or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer.

Structure: Object + Form of “to be” + Past Participle + (by Subject)

Examples:

  • The mouse (object) was chased (form of “to be” + past participle) by the cat (subject).
  • A letter (object) is written (form of “to be” + past participle) by her (subject).
  • The meal (object) was cooked (form of “to be” + past participle) by the chef (subject).

Advantages:

  • Useful when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
  • Can emphasize the action or the receiver of the action.
  • Useful for formal or scientific writing.

Converting Active to Passive Voice

To convert a sentence from active to passive voice:

  1. Identify the subject, verb, and object in the active sentence.
  2. Move the object to the subject position.
  3. Use the appropriate form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, etc.) followed by the past participle of the main verb.
  4. Optionally, include the original subject after “by.”

Example Conversion:

  • Active: The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object).
  • Passive: The mouse (object) was chased (form of “to be” + past participle) by the cat (subject).

When to Use Passive Voice

  • When the doer of the action is unknown or irrelevant: “The window was broken.”
  • When the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action: “The project was completed on time.”
  • In formal, scientific, or technical writing to emphasize the process or result: “The experiment was conducted by the research team.”

More on passive voice here

Exercise 1: Identify Active or Passive Voice

Determine whether each sentence is in active or passive voice.

  1. The book was read by the teacher.
  2. She writes an email every day.
  3. The cake was baked by John.
  4. They will finish the project by Friday.
  5. The song is sung by the choir.

Exercise 2: Convert from Active to Passive Voice

Convert the following active sentences to passive voice.

  1. The chef prepares the meal.
  2. The students completed the assignment.
  3. The company will launch the new product.
  4. The storm destroyed the building.
  5. The artist painted a beautiful mural.

Exercise 3: Convert from Passive to Active Voice

Convert the following passive sentences to active voice.

  1. The letter was written by Maria.
  2. The movie was directed by James Cameron.
  3. The report will be reviewed by the manager.
  4. The flowers were planted by the gardener.
  5. The homework is done by the students.

Exercise 1

  1. Passive
  2. Active
  3. Passive
  4. Active
  5. Passive

Exercise 2

  1. The meal is prepared by the chef.
  2. The assignment was completed by the students.
  3. The new product will be launched by the company.
  4. The building was destroyed by the storm.
  5. A beautiful mural was painted by the artist.

Exercise 3

  1. Maria wrote the letter.
  2. James Cameron directed the movie.
  3. The manager will review the report.
  4. The gardener planted the flowers.
  5. The students do the homework.

 

Summary:

    • Active Voice: Subject performs the action (e.g., The chef cooked the meal).
      • Structure: Subject + Verb + Object
      • Clear, direct, and concise.
    • Passive Voice: Subject receives the action (e.g., The meal was cooked by the chef).
      • Structure: Object + Form of “to be” + Past Participle + (by Subject)
      • Emphasizes the action or the receiver, useful in formal or scientific writing.

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