Active vs. Passive Voice

Active versus Passive Voice Many people are confused by whether they are using the active or passive voice when writing, and in which scenario each is preferred. Thankfully, there is a simple way of identifying the two styles; the key to understanding the difference between them is to spot the subject and the object in each sentence, and then selectively order the way you introduce them.

In an active voice sentence, the subject is the element that is doing the action, whereas the object is the element that is receiving the action described by the verb. In contrast, in a passive sentence, the element targeted by the action is promoted to the subject position. This can sound confusing, but a good way to learn this concept is to realize that a passive sentence will result in the subject effectively doing nothing, because whatever is happening is being done to it.

What Is Active Voice? I'll start with active voice because it's simpler. In an active sentence, the subject is doing the action.subject is doing the action. Steve loves zombies. Steve is the subject, and he is doing the action: he loves zombies, the object of the sentence. Steve is the subject, and he is doing the action: he loves zombies, Another example is the title of the Marvin Gaye song “I Heard It through the Grapevine.” "I" is the subject, the one who is doing the action. "I" is hearing "it," the object of the sentence.

What Is Passive Voice? In passive voice, the target of the action gets promoted to the subject position. Instead of saying, "Steve loves zombies,” I would say, “Zombies are loved by Steve.” The subject of the sentence becomes zombies, but they are not doing anything. Rather, they are just the recipient of Steve's love. The focus of the sentence has changed from Steve to zombies.

‪ Active and Passive Voice ‬

When can you use it?

Q1 In the end, Dan ran out of time to analyze the data properly, which meant our project was a disappointment. = ACTIVE

Q2 In the end our project was a disappointment because sufficient time was not left for the data to be analyzed properly. = PASSIVE

Q3 Many science students choose to study English courses because they want to learn how to communicate science more effectively and gain practice in public speaking. = ACTIVE

Q4 Public speaking skills are desired by many students, which is why English 101 and English 200 are chosen by such a large number. = PASSIVE

Q5 6) Why is the first version of this sentence (‘Many science students choose to study certain English courses because they want to learn how to communicate science more effectively and gain practice in public speaking’) more suitable than the second (‘Public speaking skills are desired by many students, which is why English 101 and English 200 are chosen by such a large number’)? It is easier to interpret and sounds less clumsy

Active vs. Passive Voice (and zombies)

Thomas plays guitar.

The guitar is being played by Thomas.

The food was eaten. “if you can add by zombies to a sentence, it’s passive voice.” It works in this case. The food was eaten by zombies.

Zombies ate the food. Active Voice: Now we have a subject and an active verb, though ate isn’t the most active way this could be written. How about: Zombies devoured the food.

Is passive voice always wrong? No. There are definitely reasons to use it. Here are a few examples: The actor is unknown It doesn’t matter who the actor is You don’t want to draw attention to the actor (the zombies—aack!) You want to draw attention to the subject (food, in this case—or lack of it)

Zombies are undead. The above sentence is not in passive voice. You cannot add “by zombies” to the end of the sentence and have it make any sense, and not just because zombies are already the subject. It’s passive construction because it shows no action. It just sits there and does nothing (except for being undead). It’s not a bad sentence; it’s simply not a good sentence. Too many like this strung together will create an effect you don’t want. The reader will yawn, put the book down, and go do something else.

Passive Construction or Passive Voice? Still, if grammar check or your critique partner mark passive voice, think about whether the sentence would be better told in active voice or not. Active voice grips the reader in a way that passive does not. Sometimes passive voice is marked (by zombies or English teachers) when what is really meant is passive construction. Passive construction is usually lazy writing and distances the reader. It can often be recognized by use of the verb “to be” in its various forms:

Is "To Be" a Sign of a Passive Sentence? A lot of people think all sentences that contain a form of the verb “to be” are in passive voice, but that isn't true. For example, the sentence "I am holding a pen" is in active voice, but it uses the verb “am,” which is a form of “to be.” The passive form of that sentence is "The pen is being held by me." Notice that the subject, the pen, isn't doing anything in that sentence. It's not taking an action; it's passive. One clue that your sentence is passive is that the subject isn't taking a direct action.the subject isn't taking a direct action.

Simple is was will be would be Continuous is being was being will be being would be being Perfect Simple has been had been will have been would have been Perfect Continuous has been being had been being will have been being would have been being

Yes, these words are key in passive voice, but not every use of these words is passive voice. Want to rivet your reader? Use action verbs that mean precisely what you mean them to say. Use devoured instead of ate—if it fits.