Active vs. Passive Voice

What are the differences between? John wrote this story. John wrote this story. The story was written by John. The story was written by John.

Jane eats the sandwich Jane eats the sandwich The sandwich is eaten by jane The sandwich is eaten by jane

John wrote this story. John wrote this story. In the first example, John, seems more important because "John", is the subject of the sentence. In the first example, John, seems more important because "John", is the subject of the sentence.

The story was written by John. The story was written by John. In the second example, the play seems more important, because "play" is the subject of the sentence. In the second example, the play seems more important, because "play" is the subject of the sentence.

Active voice: Active voice: When the subject performs the action of the verb. When the subject performs the action of the verb. Example: John wrote this story. Example: John wrote this story.

Passive voice: Passive voice: When the subject receives the action of the verb. When the subject receives the action of the verb. Example: The story was written by John. Example: The story was written by John.

Notice that the verbs in the passive voice consists of a form of be and the past participle. Notice that the verbs in the passive voice consists of a form of be and the past participle.

Actors perform plays. Actors perform plays. Plays are performed by actors. Plays are performed by actors. Ms. Jones bought the painting. Ms. Jones bought the painting. The painting was bought by Mr. Jones. The painting was bought by Mr. Jones.

Your question puzzles me. Your question puzzles me. I am puzzled by your question. I am puzzled by your question. Loud noises frighten the puppy. Loud noises frighten the puppy. The puppy is frightened by loud noises. The puppy is frightened by loud noises.

What is Active Voice? In the Active voice, the subject performs the action. In the Active voice, the subject performs the action. For example: Joseph draws a picture.  Joseph is the subject and he is doing something (drawing).

What is passive voice? In passive voice the subject is acted upon. In passive voice the subject is acted upon. For example: The picture is drawn by Joseph. In this case, the drawing is the subject and it is being acted upon by Joseph.

When to use passive voice Use passive voice when you do not wish to emphasize the subject of the sentence. Use passive voice when you do not wish to emphasize the subject of the sentence.Example:  Smoking is prohibited. (passive)  The management prohibits smoking. (active) The passive sentence takes attention away from management, so they do not have to be in the role of the “bad guys.”

Passive Voice (con’d) Also use passive voice when you wish to emphasize what happened and the person or thing acting is unknown or unimportant. Also use passive voice when you wish to emphasize what happened and the person or thing acting is unknown or unimportant.Example  Poisonous gases were found in six factories. The use of passive emphasizes the finding of gases, not who found them. Note: Because passive voice often leads to awkward or wordy constructions, use passive voice sparingly and with good reason. constructions, use passive voice sparingly and with good reason.

When to use active voice  Use active voice unless you are required or have very specific reasons for doing otherwise.  Active voice generally leads to more concise writing.  It clarifies who is performing the action. Remember: Staying active is a healthy practice, especially in your writing!

Change from active to passive 1. The dog has harmed the cat once before. 2. Pooja will present the project at the conference. 3. Scientists have conducted experiments to test the hypothesis. 4. Over one-third of the applicants to the school failed the entrance exam.

Revise by avoiding to be verbs Houses were destroyed by the storm. Houses were destroyed by the storm. The cake was eaten by me. The cake was eaten by me. Inexpensive ways for people to have fun are provided by parks. Inexpensive ways for people to have fun are provided by parks. Oxygen was discovered in 1774 by Joseph Priestley. Oxygen was discovered in 1774 by Joseph Priestley. A kitten was chosen by the family to have as a pet. A kitten was chosen by the family to have as a pet. Last year 2,000 new units had been produced by the time we introduced the new design. Last year 2,000 new units had been produced by the time we introduced the new design.

Possible Answers The storm destroyed houses The storm destroyed houses I ate the cake. I ate the cake. Parks provide inexpensive fun. Parks provide inexpensive fun. Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in The family chose a kitten as a pet. The family chose a kitten as a pet.

Summary Use active voice unless specified otherwise. Use active voice unless specified otherwise. Make sure the subject is acting and not being acted upon. Make sure the subject is acting and not being acted upon. Avoid to be forms of verbs Avoid to be forms of verbs

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