Passive and Active Voice How to actively use correct passive voice

Active versus Passive Voice Active voice: The main subject of the sentence performs the action shown through the verb The dog bit the boy. The dog is the subject who is biting (verb) the boy (the object) Passive voice: The main subject of the sentence receives the action shown through the verb The boy was bitten by the dog. The boy is the subject receiving the action of being bitten (verb).

When to use active and passive voice Active voice More direct and clear sentences Less wordy Preferred in academic and research writing Passive voice Can be more rhetorically effective Effective when the agent of the action is unimportant or the author is holding off on mentioning it for the effect of suspense Highlights the action rather than the agent performing the action