Active voice and Passive Voice: Active vs passive voice, Active voice and passive voice rules, active and passive voice examples, active and passive voice examples with answers, 10 sentences of active and passive voice. The choice between these two grammatical constructions can significantly impact the clarity and tone of your message. In this article, we will explore the concepts of these voices , delve into their usage, and provide illuminating examples.
What is Active Voice?
Definition: Active voice is a grammatical structure in which the subject of a sentence performs the action described by the verb. It accentuates the practitioner of the activity, making the sentence understood, direct, and locking in. In active voice, the subject is active and takes center stage.
Example:
Active Voice: Sarah baked a delicious cake for the party.
In this example, “Sarah” is the subject performing the action “baked.” The active voice highlights Sarah as the doer of the action, making the sentence concise and lively.
Advantages of Active Voice:
Clarity: Active voice presents information in a straightforward manner, making it easier for readers to understand.
Directness: Active voice provides a more direct and engaging tone, grabbing the reader’s attention and enhancing readability.
Responsibility: Active voice assigns responsibility and accountability to the subject of the sentence, making it suitable for persuasive or argumentative writing.
What is Passive Voice?
Definition: Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence receives the action described by the verb. It shifts the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver, giving prominence to the object or the result of the action.
Example:
Passive Voice: The delicious cake was baked by Sarah for the party.
In this example, “the delicious cake” is the object receiving the action “was baked.” The passive voice puts the focus on the cake rather than Sarah, which might be useful in certain contexts.
Advantages of Passive Voice:
Object Focus: Passive voice directs attention towards the receiver or the result of an action, allowing the writer to emphasize specific elements of a sentence.
Object Anonymity: Passive voice can be useful when the subject is unknown, unimportant, or irrelevant to the message being conveyed.
Formality: Passive voice is often used in formal writing, such as scientific papers or official reports, where objectivity and detachment are valued.
Choosing between Active and Passive Voice
Consider your audience: Active voice is generally preferred in most forms of writing as it promotes clarity and engagement. However, passive voice may be appropriate in specific contexts or when writing for a formal audience.
Emphasize the doer or the receiver: If you want to highlight the doer of the action, choose active voice. If you want to emphasize the receiver or the result, passive voice might be suitable.
Balance and variation: A mix of these voices can add variety to your writing. Use active voice for clarity and energy, and passive voice when you want to create a specific effect or highlight certain aspects.
Summary
Passive voice and Active voice offer different perspectives and impact the overall tone and clarity of your writing. Active voice brings life to your sentences, making them direct and engaging, while passive voice focuses on the object and can be useful in certain contexts. Understanding the appropriate usage of each can greatly enhance your writing skills. So, remember to choose wisely and let your words resonate with your readers.
10 sentences of active and passive voice
1. Active: Sarah wrote a heartfelt letter to her grandmother.
Passive: A heartfelt letter was written to her grandmother by Sarah.
2. Active: The artist painted a stunning portrait of a sunset.
Passive: A stunning portrait of a sunset was painted by the artist.
3. Active: They completed the project ahead of schedule.
P: The project was completed ahead of schedule by them.
4. Active: The company launched a new advertising campaign.
Passive: A new advertising campaign was launched by the company.
5. Active: The mechanic fixed my car’s engine.
Pass. : My car’s engine was fixed by the mechanic.
6. Active: Julia baked a delicious cake for the party.
Passive: A delicious cake was baked by Julia for the party.
7. Active: The construction crew built a new bridge.
Pass. : A new bridge was built by the construction crew.
8. Active: We planted flowers in the garden.
P: Flowers were planted in the garden by us.
9. Active: The police arrested the suspect.
Pass.: The suspect was arrested by the police.
10 Active: The team won the championship.
P: The championship was won by the team.
