What Is The Difference between Active and Passive Voice?

What is the difference between active and passive voice? The active voice emphasizes the doer of the action, while the passive voice emphasizes the receiver of the action.

Passive voice is often used when the doer of the action is not known, not relevant, or when the focus needs to be shifted to the receiver of the action. However, active voice is generally considered more direct and clear.

Difference between Active and Passive Voice (With Table)

Basic Terms	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Sentence Structure	Subject + Verb + Object	Object + Verb (past participle) + Subject (optional)
Emphasis	Emphasizes the doer of the action.	Emphasizes the receiver of the action.
Clarity	Generally considered more direct and clear.	May be perceived as less direct or concise.
Agency	Clearly indicates the doer of the action.	The doer of the action may be unknown or less emphasized
Verb Tenses	Verb tenses are straightforward.	Passive constructions often use auxiliary verbs and past participles.
Use of Pronouns	Pronouns (he, she, it, etc.) often used for the subject.	Pronouns (it, they, etc.) may be used for the subject.
Sentence Length	Active voice sentences are often shorter.	Passive voice sentences can be longer, especially if additional information is included.
Formality	Generally used in more formal and academic writing.	Can be used in formal or informal contexts, depending on the preference.
Clarity of Responsibility	Clearly identifies who is responsible for the action.	Responsibility for the action may be obscured or downplayed.
Use in Writing Styles	Commonly used in business, technical, and scientific writing.	Frequently found in literature, legal documents, and official reports.

What Is Active Voice?

Active voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence performs or carries out the action expressed by the verb. In other words, in an active voice sentence, the focus is on the entity that is doing the action.

The basic structure of an active voice sentence is as follows:

Subject + Verb + Object

Here, the subject is the doer of the action, the verb indicates the action itself, and the object is the receiver of the action.

Active voice is often considered more direct, clearer, and more concise than passive voice. It is commonly used in various forms of writing, including literature, journalism, and everyday communication.

Example in active voice: “The chef (subject) prepares (verb) a delicious meal (object).”

In this sentence, the chef is the one performing the action of preparing the meal, and the sentence is in active voice.

What Is Passive Voice?

Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the object of a sentence becomes the focus or the receiver of the action, and the subject is either less emphasized or may not appear at all. In passive voice, the structure is rearranged, and the action is emphasized rather than the one performing the action.

The basic structure of a passive voice sentence is as follows:

Object+Verb (past participle) +Subject (optional)

Here, the object becomes the grammatical subject of the sentence, the verb is expressed in its past participle form, and the original subject may or may not be included.

Example in passive voice: “The delicious meal (object) was prepared (verb) by the chef (subject).”

In this sentence, the meal is the focus, and the fact that it was prepared is emphasized. The chef, the one performing the action, is mentioned but is not the primary focus.

Passive voice is often used when the doer of the action is unknown, less important, or when the writer wants to shift the focus to the action or the result of the action. While passive voice has its uses, it is generally considered less direct and more formal than active voice.

Main Difference between Active and Passive Voice

Subject Placement:
- Active Voice: The subject comes before the verb.
- Passive Voice: The object becomes the subject, and it comes before the verb.
Emphasis:
- Active Voice: Emphasizes the doer of the action.
- Passive Voice: Emphasizes the receiver of the action.
Sentence Structure:
- Active Voice: Subject + Verb + Object.
- Passive Voice: Object + Verb (past participle) + Subject (optional).
Clarity:
- Active Voice: Generally considered more direct and clear.
- Passive Voice: Can be perceived as less direct or concise.
Verb Tenses:
- Active Voice: Verb tenses are straightforward.
- Passive Voice: Often involves auxiliary verbs and past participles.
Pronouns:
- Active Voice: Pronouns often used for the subject (he, she, it, etc.).
- Passive Voice: Pronouns may be used for the subject (it, they, etc.).
Sentence Length:
- Active Voice: Sentences are often shorter.
- Passive Voice: Sentences can be longer, especially with additional information.
Formality:
- Active Voice: Common in everyday communication, business, technical, and scientific writing.
- Passive Voice: Can be used in formal or informal contexts, depending on preference.
Clarity of Responsibility:
- Active Voice: Clearly identifies who is responsible for the action.
- Passive Voice: Responsibility for the action may be obscured or downplayed.
Usage in Writing Styles:
- Active Voice: Commonly used in literature, journalism, and everyday communication.
- Passive Voice: Found in literature, legal documents, scientific reports, and situations where the focus is on the action or result rather than the doer.

Similarities between Active and Passive Voice

Both involve a subject, a verb, and an object.
Active Voice: Subject + Verb + Object. Passive Voice: Object + Verb (past participle) + Subject (optional).
Both use verbs to express actions.
Both convey actions and events within a sentence.
Used in writing and communication based on intention and context.
Contribute to the overall structure of a language’s sentence construction.
Both serve the purpose of communicating ideas, actions, and information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the distinction between active and passive voice is a fundamental aspect of effective communication and writing. The choice between these two constructions can significantly impact the clarity, emphasis, and style of your message.

Active voice, with its straightforward subject-verb-object structure, is often preferred for its directness and clarity. It places emphasis on the doer of the action, providing a clear and concise narrative that engages readers and listeners alike. It is a powerful tool for everyday communication, journalism, and literature.

On the other hand, passive voice has its merits, particularly when the focus needs to shift to the receiver of the action or when the doer is unknown or less important. It is commonly employed in formal writing, scientific reports, and legal documents, where an objective tone and a focus on the action or result are paramount.

As writers, it’s crucial to recognize when each voice is most appropriate. Striking a balance between active and passive constructions enhances the overall quality of your writing, ensuring that your message is not only grammatically sound but also tailored to your specific communicative goals.

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