Have you ever wondered what the difference is between active and passive voice? You’re not alone! A lot of people get confused by the two, but they are actually quite different. In this post, we’ll take a look at the differences between active and passive voice, and we’ll also give you some tips on how to use each one. So let’s get started!
What is Active Voice?
Active and passive voices are two different ways of expressing action in a sentence.
In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb.
For example, “The cat chased the mouse.”
What is Passive Voice?
In passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb.
For example, “The mouse was chased by the cat.”
While both are grammatically correct, active voice is generally preferred as it is simpler and more direct.
How to identify the active and passive voices in a sentence?
The active voice is used when the subject of a sentence performs the action. For example, “I am writing a paper.”
The passive voice is used when the subject of a sentence is acted upon.
For example, “A paper is being written by me.”
To identify the voice of a sentence, look at the verb and determine whether the subject is performing the action or being acted upon.
The benefits of using the active voice
When you write in an active voice, your readers will be able to understand your meaning more clearly. In addition, the active voice is less likely to cause confusion and can make your writing sound more authoritative.
Here are some other benefits of using the active voice in academic writing:
1. Active voice sentences are usually shorter and easier to read than passive voice sentences.
2. Active voice can make your writing sound more lively and interesting.
3. Active voice can help you avoid using overly formal or technical language.
4. Active voice can make your argument or point more clear and direct.
5. Active voice can help you avoid the use of passive constructions, which can make your writing sound wishy-washy.
When you use the active voice, you will typically need to use the pronoun “I” or “we.” However, there are times when it is appropriate to use the passive voice in academic writing.
For example, you might want to use the passive voice if you are reporting research that was conducted by someone else or if you are discussing a controversial issue and do not want to take a position.
The benefits of using the passive voice
When using the passive voice, the focus of the sentence is on the object rather than the subject.
This can be especially helpful in academic writing, as it allows you to emphasize the most important points more clearly. Additionally, the passive voice can make your writing sound more objective and professional.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when using the passive voice:
1. Make sure the sentence still makes sense when the object is moved to the front.
2. Be careful not to overuse the passive voice, as this can make your writing sound choppy and difficult to read.
3. Use strong verbs to ensure that your meaning is clear.
When to use the active voice and when to use the passive voice?
The active voice is used when the subject of the sentence is the one performing the action. For example, “I am writing a paper.” Passive voice is used when the subject of the sentence is not performing the action.
For example, “The paper is being written by me.”
In general, the active voice is more direct and easier to understand than the passive voice. However, there are times when the passive voice can be used to good effect.
For instance, if you want to emphasize the action rather than the subject, the passive voice can be useful.
For example, “The paper was written by me” emphasizes the fact that the paper was written, rather than who wrote it.
Another time when the passive voice can be useful is when you don’t know who did the action or you want to avoid saying who did it.
For example, “The window was broken” doesn’t tell us who broke the window, but we still get the information that the window is broken.
Finally, the passive voice can sometimes make a sentence sound more polite or formal. For example, “The paper will be written by me” sounds more formal than “I will write the paper.”
Active Vs. Passive Voice: How does it make your Writing Interesting?
One way to make your writing more interesting is to use a mix of active and passive voices. Active voice creates interest by putting the focus on the actor, while passive voice often puts the focus on the action. By using both voices in your writing, you can create a balance that keeps readers engaged.
You can also use our Passive to active voice converter for better writing.
Here are some tips for using active and passive voice in your writing: Also check our passive voice examples to learn in detail about it.
– Use active voice when you want to focus on the actor. For example, “John ran to the store.”
– Use passive voice when you want to focus on the action. For example, “The ball was thrown by John.”
– Use a mix of both voices to keep readers engaged. For example, “John ran to the store and threw the ball.”
– Use active voice when you want to create a sense of urgency. For example, “Hurry! John is running to the store.”
– Use passive voice when you want to create a sense of calm. For example, “The ball was slowly thrown by John.”
– Use a mix of both voices to add variety to your writing. For example, “John ran quickly to the store and then threw the ball slowly.”
You can create interest and variety by using active and passive voice in your writing. Keep these tips in mind to make your writing more interesting for readers.
Wrap Up
In a nutshell, the main difference between active and passive voice is that in active voice the subject performs the verb while in passive voice the subject receives the action of the verb.
This distinction can change the meaning of a sentence so it’s important to be aware of which one you’re using.
The best way to get a grasp on this concept is to practice identifying and correcting examples of each. With time, using correct verb tense will become second nature.