4/19 Active vs. passive voice the voice used when the subject is the recipient of the action. Example: She was loved by me. Passive voice should only be used in the following instances: When intentionally hiding the subject of the sentence. For example, a politician might say, "Mistakes were made." When intentionally trying to minimize the guilt of the subject. For example, a cheating husband might respond, "Adultery was committed by me." When passive voice better emphasizes the main point of the passage. For example, Children were harmed by unlicensed bus drivers.

Active Voice the voice used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is performing the action or causing the action. Example: I loved her. Strong writing uses active voice!

Passive vs. active Passive If the subject receives the action or is not doing the action, the voice is passive. Passive voice is usually wordier. Passive voice is the equivalent of watching corn grow. Passive voice creates boredom, world hunger, and depletes the ozone layer  Passive voice contains a lot of to be verbs. If the subject performs the action, the voice is active. Active voice is preferred because it is direct and concise. Active voice is the equivalent of watching Lebron James. Active voice creates interest.

How to Recognize Active and Passive Sentences Find the subject (the main character of the sentence). Find the main verb (the action that the sentence identifies). Examine the relationship between the subject and main verb. Does the subject perform the action of the main verb? (If so, the sentence is active.) Does the subject sit there while something else — named or unnamed –performs an action on it? (If so, the sentence is passive.) Can’t tell? If the main verb is a linking verb (“is,” “was,” “are,” “seems (to be),” “becomes” etc.), then the verb functions like an equals sign; there is no action involved — it merely describes a state of being.

Change Passive to Active It was determined that the budget must be cut. The child was cared for by her sister. There were two reasons she was not elected to be on the student council. The board determined to cut the budget. The sister cared for the child. The student council rejected her for two reasons.

Other problems Eliminated! Not only does your writing become more vivid with ACTIVE voice, but you also tend to use specific SUBJECTS rather than “It,” and “There are.”