Hello, Students!
Today, we’re going to explore the difference between Active and Passive Voice in sentences. Understanding these two forms of expression will help you make your writing more engaging, clear, and purposeful!
What is Voice in Grammar?
The voice of a sentence shows whether the subject is performing the action (active voice) or receiving the action (passive voice).
- Active Voice: The subject of the sentence performs the action.
- Example: The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object).
- Passive Voice: The subject of the sentence receives the action.
- Example: The mouse (subject) was chased (verb) by the cat (agent).
Why Use Active Voice?
- Clarity: It clearly shows who is doing the action.
- Directness: It gets straight to the point and keeps sentences concise.
- Engagement: It often makes writing more lively and dynamic.
When to Use Passive Voice?
- Focus on the Action or Object: When the action itself or the object receiving the action is more important than who performed it.
- Example: The cake was eaten by the children. (Focuses on the cake)
- Unknown Subject: When the subject is unknown or irrelevant.
- Example: The windows were broken during the storm.
- Formal or Scientific Writing: Passive voice can sound more objective.
- Example: The experiment was conducted under strict conditions.
Forming the Active and Passive Voice
To change a sentence from active to passive voice, follow these steps:
- Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object:
- Active: The teacher (subject) praised (verb) the student (object).
- Make the Object the New Subject:
- Passive: The student (new subject) was praised.
- Use the Correct Form of “To Be” + Past Participle of the Verb:
- The verb “praised” becomes “was praised” in passive form.
- Add “by” + Original Subject (if necessary):
- Passive: The student was praised by the teacher.
Examples of Active and Passive Voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| The chef cooked the meal. | The meal was cooked by the chef. |
| The artist painted a beautiful portrait. | A beautiful portrait was painted by the artist. |
| The manager will review the report. | The report will be reviewed by the manager. |
| Scientists discovered a new planet. | A new planet was discovered by scientists. |
How to Choose Between Active and Passive Voice?
- What is the Emphasis?
If you want to emphasize the action or the object, use passive voice. If the doer of the action is more important, use active voice. - Who is the Audience?
For formal or scientific writing, passive voice may be more appropriate. For more engaging or direct writing, active voice is better. - Is the Subject Known?
Use passive voice when the subject is unknown or unimportant.
Practice Exercises:
- Rewrite these sentences in passive voice:
- The principal announced the results.
- The volunteers organized the event.
- Rewrite these sentences in active voice:
- The project was completed by the students.
- The homework was checked by the teacher.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overusing Passive Voice: Makes writing feel vague or weak.
- Weak: It was decided that we would start the meeting.
- Better: We decided to start the meeting.
- Unnecessary Passive Constructions: When active voice is clearer and more direct.
- Unnecessary: The cake was eaten by Sarah.
- Better: Sarah ate the cake.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of active and passive voice will greatly enhance your writing skills. Remember, both voices have their place, and knowing when to use each will make your sentences clearer, more engaging, and purposeful.
Homework:
- Write 5 sentences in the active voice and convert them to passive.
- Find a short passage from a book or article and identify instances of active and passive voice.
Keep Practicing!
Understanding when and how to use active and passive voice effectively will take your writing to the next level. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be able to choose the perfect voice for every sentence!
Next up: We’ll be exploring Direct and Indirect Speech. Stay tuned! 😊
