Active vs. Passive Voice

Active Voice Vs. Passive Voice Voice is the form of a transitive verb (a verb that expresses an action directed toward a person, a place, a thing, or an idea) takes to indicate whether the subject of the verb performs or receives the action. When the subject of a verb performs the action, the verb is in the active voice. When the subject of a verb receives the action, the verb is in the passive voice.

So...How can I differentiate between active and passive voice?

Well… ● a verb in the active voice has a direct object, which tells who or what receives the action ● a verb in the passive voice may or may not be followed by a prepositional phrase that begins with by and tells who or what performs the action ● a verb in the passive voice does not have a direct object

Let’s look at some examples!

Active Voice Subject: Fire Verb: Destroyed Direct Object: Walls Example: The blazing fire destroyed the outside walls. (The subject fire performs the action; the direct object walls receives the action)

Passive Voice Subject: Walls Verb: Were destroyed Example: The outside walls were destroyed by the blazing fire. (The subject walls receives the action; fire, the object of the preposition by, performs the action)

Active Voice Subject: She Verb: Grows Direct Object: Corn Example: She grows corn on her farm. (The subject she performs the action; the direct object corn receives the action)

Passive Voice Subject: Corn Verb: Is grown Example: Corn is grown on her farm. (The subject corn receives the action; the performer of the action is not given)

As shown in the examples, a verb in the passive voice is always a verb phrase that consists of a form of the verb be and the past participle of a verb.

Practice! Identify whether the sentence on the right is passive or active voice. Vicious rumors have been spread about the politician. Answer: Passive Voice

Practice! Identify whether the sentence on the right is passive or active voice. My car was serviced by Tom, my favorite mechanic. Answer: Passive Voice

Practice! Identify whether the sentence on the right is passive or active voice. Tom, my favorite mechanic, serviced my car. Answer: Active Voice