What is Active Voice? What is Passive Voice?
In sentences using the active voice, the subject performs the action. In sentences using the passive voice, the subject is acted upon.
Examples of Active Voice and Passive Voice
Some examples of active voice and passive voice would be the following:
The police arrested the suspect late last night.
[Active: The subject “police” performs the action “arrested.”]
The suspect was arrested by police late last night.
[Passive: The subject “suspect” is being acted upon.]
The archaeologist found an ancient artifact.
[Active: The subject “archaeologist” performs the action “found.”]
An ancient artifact was found by the archaeologist.
[Passive: The subject “artifact” is being acted upon.]
Miriam folded the sheets and pillowcases.
[Active: The subject “Miriam” performs the action “folded.”]
The pillowcases were folded by Miriam.
[Passive: The subject “pillowcases” is being acted upon.]
Active Voice and Passive Voice in Context
GrammarFlip’s grammar-in-context videos provide an additional layer of instruction, learning, and relatability.
Our unique and memorable video footage helps solidify the understanding of challenging grammar concepts.
Watch this video to better understand active voice and passive voice!
Why You Should Use Active Voice and Passive Voice in Your Writing
It’s important to use both active voice and passive voice in your writing. Doing so adds complexity and variety, but there are times when focusing on one type of voice over the other is beneficial. Let’s take a look at some reasons to focus on one voice over the other.
Active Voice
Direction and Clarity: Using the active voice in sentences has the benefit of being more direct and clearer to your reader. There is more focus on the performer of the action in the sentence. For example:
Mikayla kicked the ball.
In this sentence which uses the active voice, attention is focused on Mikayla and her action of kicking the ball.
The active voice is especially important in persuasive writing and in narrative writing. If you’re trying to convince someone of something, highlighting the action or the subject can play a significant role. Similarly, if you’re telling a story, the active voice allows the reader to visualize or see the action more clearly than it would if you were using the passive voice.
Passive Voice
Formality and Objectivity: The passive voice is what writers should use when there is a need for objectivity and formality. In the passive voice, focus is placed more upon the verb and recipient of that action. Take a look at the following sentence:
The ball was kicked.
Notice how the focus is placed upon “ball” and “kicked,” and we aren’t even aware of who actually kicked the ball.
The passive voice is used quite often in formal and academic writing where being objective and neutral is important.
Download a Free Worksheet on Active Voice and Passive Voice!
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Do your students understand the difference between active and passive voice?
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Mechanics and Usage lessons equip students with the necessary skills to communicate clearly to all audiences. With a focus on the application of these concepts in student writing, these lessons tie together both simple constructions of grammar as well as the more complex such that any age or skill level of student will benefit.
