Active and Passive Voice

Understanding the active and passive voice is essential for improving your writing and communication skills. These two forms describe the relationship between the subject, verb, and object in a sentence. In this guide, we will explore the definitions, differences, and rules of active and passive voice, using easy-to-understand examples and practical tips.

What Is Voice in Grammar?

In grammar, voice refers to the form of a verb that shows whether the subject in a sentence is performing or receiving the action. Voice helps convey the focus of a sentence.

• Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
• Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.

Both voices are essential for different types of writing and communication.

Let’s explore their definitions, uses, and differences in detail.

Active Voice – Meaning and Definition

In the active voice, the subject of the sentence is the doer of the action. This voice is direct, clear, and commonly used in everyday writing and speaking.

Definitions:

• • According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the active voice is “the form of a verb in which the subject is the person or thing that performs the action.”
  • The Collins Dictionary defines it as “a voice of verbs used to indicate that the subject of a sentence is performing the action.”

Examples:

1. “She bakes a cake.” (Subject: She; Verb: bakes; Object: a cake)

2. “The dog chased the cat.”

Passive Voice – Meaning and Definition

In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action. This form is often used when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant.

Definitions:

• • According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the passive voice is “the form of a verb used when the subject is affected by the action of the verb.”
  • The Collins Dictionary states that the passive voice “is 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.”

Examples:

1. “The cake was baked by her.” (Subject: The cake; Verb: was baked; Agent: by her)

2. “The cat was chased by the dog.”

Key Differences Between Active and Passive Voice

When to Use Active and Passive Voice

Active Voice:

• • When clarity and simplicity are needed.
  • In conversational and informal writing.
  • For direct instructions or commands.

Examples:

• • “Clean your room.”
  • “He solved the puzzle.”

Passive Voice:

• • When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant.
  • To emphasize the action or the receiver of the action.
  • In formal writing, such as scientific papers.

Examples:

• • “The results were published yesterday.”
  • A mistake was made during the experiment.”

Rules for Converting Active Voice to Passive Voice

1. Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object:

• • Active: “She writes a book.” (Subject: She; Verb: writes; Object: a book)
  • Passive: “A book is written by her.”

2. Switch the Subject and Object:

• • Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position.

3. Change the Verb Form:

• • Use the appropriate tense of the auxiliary verb “be” + past participle of the main verb.

4. Use “by” to Indicate the Doer (Optional):

• • In passive sentences, the doer can be introduced with “by.” However, it is often omitted if the doer is unknown or irrelevant.

Examples of Conversion:

Pronoun Changes in Active and Passive Voice

When converting sentences, pronouns change as follows:

Examples:

• • Active: “I gave him a gift.”
  • Passive: “A gift was given to him by me.”

Examples of Active and Passive Voice

Present Tense:

1. Active: “She opens the door.” Passive: “The door is opened by her.”
2. Active: “They are cleaning the house.” Passive: “The house is being cleaned by them.”

Past Tense:

1. Active: “He wrote the report.” Passive: “The report was written by him.”
2. Active: “They were making dinner.” Passive: “Dinner was being made by them.”

Future Tense:

1. Active: “She will deliver the speech.” Passive: “The speech will be delivered by her.”
2. Active: “They will complete the assignment.” Passive: “The assignment will be completed by them.”

Practice Exercise

Convert the following sentences as directed:

1. Active: “He is repairing the car.” (Change to passive voice)

2. Passive: “The letter was sent by her.” (Change to active voice)

3. Active: “They have solved the problem.” (Change to passive voice)

4. Passive: “The book will be published by the author.” (Change to active voice)

5. Active: “I gave her a gift.” (Change to passive voice)

Answers:

1. Passive: “The car is being repaired by him.”

2. Active: “She sent the letter.”

3. Passive: “The problem has been solved by them.”

4. Active: “The author will publish the book.”

5. Passive: “A gift was given to her by me.”

Tips for Mastering Active and Passive Voice

1. Focus on the Subject: Identify whether the subject is performing or receiving the action.
2. Understand Verb Forms: Practice using the past participle form of verbs.
3. Keep It Clear: Use active voice for direct communication and passive voice for emphasis.
4. Practice Regularly: Convert sentences between active and passive voice to gain confidence.