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Understanding Active and Passive Voice: A Simple Guide

Understanding Active and Passive Voice: A Simple Guide

1. Introduction to Active and Passive Voice

Have you ever wondered why sentences sound different even when they convey the same message? That's where active and passive voice come into play. Understanding the difference between these two can greatly enhance your writing skills and make your communication clearer and more effective.

In English grammar, there are two types of voices active and passive.

  1. Active voice
  2. Passive voice

1.1 What is Active Voice?

Active voice is a sentence construction where the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. It is direct, concise, and often preferred in most types of writing. In active voice sentences, the subject is the "doer" of the action.

In active voice importance is given to the subject.
e. g. John plays football.

In the above example “John” is a doer of an action “Play”, Hence “John” is a subject, and the action of playing is done on football therefore “Football” is an object.

1.2 What is Passive Voice?

Passive voice, on the other hand, is a sentence construction where the subject is the recipient of the action. In passive voice sentences, the subject is not the "doer" of the action but rather the one being acted upon. While passive voice has its uses, it can sometimes make sentences less clear and engaging.

In passive voice importance is given to the object.
e. g. Football is played by John.

In both the voices meaning of the sentence does not change only the structure of the sentence changes.

Remember,

  • Voice of only transitive verbs can be changed. 
  • Voice of intransitive verbs cannot be changed.

2. Rules for changing the voice from active to passive:

  1. No object no passive
  2. Object becomes subject
  3. Use helping verb according to tense (see the table)
  4. Use V3 (Past Participle) after the helping verb
  5. Subject comes with “by” in objective case (Sometimes “to/with” instead of “by”)

Active
Passive
Simple Present Tense
am/is/are + V3
Simple Past Tense
was/ were + V3
Simple Future Tense
Will be + V3
Present Continuous Tense
am/is/are + being + V3
Past Continuous Tense
was/ were + being + V3
Present Perfect Tense
have / has + been + V3
Past Perfect Tense
Had + been + V3
Future Perfect Tense
Will have + been + V3
Modal Auxiliaries (Can, Could, May,
Might, Shall, Should, Will, Would, etc.)
Modal Auxiliary + be + V3
going to (Future)
am/is/are + going to + be + V3

Remember,

  • Voices of Future Continuous Tense and all Perfect Continuous Tenses cannot be changed.
  • It is not necessary that we always use “by” sometimes “to/with” can be used.

e. g.

      1. They know English.(Active)
          English is known to them.(Passive)

      2. Snow covered the mountains. (Active)
          The mountains were covered with snow. (Passive)

3. Advantages and Disadvantages

3.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Active Voice

  • Advantages of Using Active Voice

  1. Clarity: Active voice makes it clear who is doing what in a sentence, which can help readers understand your message more easily.
  2. Engagement: Active voice tends to be more engaging and dynamic, making your writing more interesting to read.
  3. Directness: It allows you to convey your ideas more directly, leading to a stronger impact on your audience.
  4. Conciseness: Active voice often results in shorter, more concise sentences, which can improve readability.

  • Disadvantages of Using Active Voice

  1. Overuse: Using active voice exclusively can make your writing sound monotonous. It's important to vary your sentence structure for better flow.
  2. Blame Assignment: In some contexts, using active voice might inadvertently assign blame or responsibility, which may not always be desirable.

3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Passive Voice

  • Advantages of Using Passive Voice

  1. Emphasis on the Action: Passive voice can shift the focus onto the action itself rather than the doer, which can be useful in certain contexts.
  2. Object Emphasis: It allows you to highlight the object of the action, which can be beneficial when the object is more important or interesting than the doer.
  3. Formality: Passive voice is often used in formal writing, such as scientific papers or official documents.

  • Disadvantages of Using Passive Voice

  1. Ambiguity: Passive voice can sometimes lead to ambiguity, as it may not be clear who is performing the action.
  2. Wordiness: Passive voice often requires more words to convey the same message, which can make your writing less concise.
  3. Lack of Clarity: It can make your writing sound vague or impersonal, which may not be suitable for all audiences or purposes.

4. When to Use Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

  • When to Use Active Voice

  1. Clear Communication: Use active voice when you want to clearly communicate who is doing what in a sentence.
  2. Engagement: Active voice is great for keeping your readers engaged and interested in your writing.
  3. Directness: When you want to be direct and straightforward in your communication, active voice is the way to go.

  • When to Use Passive Voice

  1. Emphasizing the Action or Object: Use passive voice when you want to emphasize the action or the object of the action rather than the doer.
  2. Formal Writing: Passive voice is often preferred in formal writing contexts, such as academic papers or official reports.
  3. Shifting Blame or Responsibility: In some situations, passive voice can be used to shift blame or responsibility away from the doer.

5. Tips for Using Active and Passive Voice Effectively

  • Know Your Audience: Consider who will be reading your writing and choose the voice that will best resonate with them.
  • Vary Your Sentence Structure: Use a mix of active and passive voice to keep your writing interesting and varied.
  • Focus on Clarity: Regardless of the voice you choose, prioritize clarity and make sure your message is easy to understand.
  • Edit and Revise: Take the time to review your writing and make necessary changes to improve clarity and effectiveness.
  • Practice: Like any aspect of writing, mastering active and passive voice takes practice. Keep writing and experimenting with different sentence constructions.

6. Conclusion

Active and passive voice are powerful tools that can significantly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. By understanding when and how to use each voice, you can elevate your writing skills and better connect with your audience. Remember to consider your purpose, audience, and message when choosing between active and passive voice, and don't be afraid to experiment to find the right balance for your writing.

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2 comments:

  1. Nora CarterMarch 2, 2021 at 9:39 PM

    Nice explanation of English Grammar. You have kept it very easy and simple. Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. English Learning ClubMarch 20, 2021 at 10:41 AM

      You are most welcome. My aim is to make people understand English grammar easily.

      Delete

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