Passive and Active Voice
Passive and active voice are two different ways to express action in a sentence. The distinction between them is based on the focus of the sentence and the relationship between the subject and the action.
Active Voice
In an active voice sentence, the subject performs the action. The structure is typically Subject-Verb-Object.
Example: “The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object).”
Passive Voice:
In a passive voice sentence, the subject receives the action. The structure is typically Object-Verb-Subject.
Example: “The mouse (subject) was chased (verb) by the cat (agent).”
What is the difference Between Passive and Active Voice?
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| Active voice focuses on the doer of the action (subject). Active voice uses Subject-Verb-Object structure. Active voice is often more direct and clearer. | Passive voice focuses on the receiver of the action (object). Passive voice uses Object-Verb-Subject structure Passive voice can be wordier and may introduce ambiguity. |
Examples:
When changing from active to passive, the verb tense often changes. For example, “The cat chased the mouse” (active) becomes “The mouse was chased by the cat” (passive).
- Active: “The chef (subject) cooked (verb) a delicious meal (object).”
Passive: “A delicious meal (subject) was cooked (verb) by the chef (agent).” - Active: “The students (subject) are studying (verb) for the exam (object).”
Passive: “The exam (subject) is being studied for (verb) by the students (agent).”
Choosing between active and passive voice depends on the context and the emphasis you want to place on the subject or object. In general, active voice is preferred for its clarity and straightforwardness, but there are situations where passive voice may be more appropriate or necessary.
