If you imagine there is an arrow connecting the subject to the verb, active voice will always have an arrow going to the right. Certain features require a modern browser to function. Take a look at each of the following sentences and see if you can tell if the verb is using the active or passive voice. D. I was told by the chair man that the bill was passed by the legislative Log in for more information. The chairman told me that the legislature passed the bill. What Is Passive Voice And How Do You Use It? After long debate, the proposal was endorsed by the long-range planning committee. Plus, Grammar Coach Synonym Swap will find the best nouns, adjectives, and more to help say what you really mean, guiding you toward clearer, stronger, writing. Austen could have rephrased this sentence like so: Though Mr. Middleton carried his entreaties to a point of perseverance beyond civility, they could not give offense. When it comes to good writing, don't be passiveeven if your . Clean = active verb. The homeowners remodeled the house to help it sell. In fact, there are times when it can come in handy. Not every passive voice sentence says who is performing the action, but if it does, youll see a preposition next to it (e.g., a longer work. The active voice occurs when the subject does the action of the sentence. Active voice is when the subject of a sentence performs the action of the verb. The wedding dress was sewn by Katie. Since this sentence doesn't include an object, it can't be converted into an active . Although some of these examples are formal, others show that the passive voice is often useful and necessary in daily life. Usually, this writing strategy helps when you speak about services: Their pool is being cleaned at this moment.. That means the performer of the action can be absent from the sentence altogether or appear in a prepositional phrase with by. Assurances have been given that substantial concessions will be presented by both sides. it conveys scientific objectivity by minimizing the focus on the doer of the action. Furthermore, some phrasings (like the book was written by) are more common or acceptable in the passive voice than in the active voice. The active writing voice is contrasted with the passive voice. The short walk to the station was covered in a few seconds at her hurried pace. Active voice is important in writing because it makes the speaker more active and participatory in the text. Passive: It was earlier demonstrated that heart attacks can be caused by high stress. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. I was advised to apply for a work permit by the Foreign Office. Active: The dog bit the man. Forty-two zebras were rescued by the rangers. The data processing department recently presented what proved to be a controversial proposal to expand its staff. Active Active: The candidate believes that Congress must place a ceiling on the budget. How To Use Lay vs. Lie Correctly Every Time. King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215. You may also want to go passive when you don't know who is responsible for the action, like in this example: "The mystery was never solved.". The biggest clue you have a passive voice sentence on your hands will be a form of to be followed by a past. ). Were Vs. Were: Were Here To Explain The Difference, Freshmen Or Freshman: When To Use Each One, This List of Vegetables Is No Small Potatoes. , though, the passive voice is necessary. In other words, drop the subject, get off the hook. Each one contains a "to be" verb, like "was", "has been", or "will be". This is a simple, direct example of the active voice. Generally speaking, the active voice is the preferred voice in formal and academic writing. The classic example: Who made them? This handout will explain the difference between active and passive voice in writing. The reason why makes sense if you think about what intransitive verbs are. I bought a new wallet. How to write in active voice? B. There are two voices in writing: Active and passive. Lets take a look at the sentence structure in both cases. Such wording is useful under certain circumstances, which we discuss below. Published August 16, 2021. Sentences that use active voice are usually considered to be more impactful, straightforward and clear. What is active voice, what is passive voice, and what are their different functions? From the above example, its noted that a simple sentence in passive voice is longer than the active voice, and the message is clear and direct in active voice. Definition, Examples of Active Sentences in Writing. Heres a helpful tip: intransitive verbs mainly use the active voice. Active voice describes a sentence where the subject performs the action that is described by the verb. That being said, there are specific instances where the active voice is particularly useful. Thats how to keep passive voice masqueraders from fooling you. My dad purchased wood to build a new pergola for our backyard. Every sentence in the passive voice contains two verbs: Take a look at the previous examples, now written in passive voice: Notice how the targets of the actionalso the direct objects of the sentencesare now the focus. An active sentence is a sentence where the subject performs the action of the verb. Woman vs. Women: Whats The Difference? Question. This writing platform uses machine learning technology uniquely designed to catch grammar as well as spelling errors. Yet, in someones personal opinion, the passive voice sounds more sophisticated. The restaurant = Object receiving action. The boy pushed the cat into the pit. Which of the following is the best example of a sentence written in active voice. This active voice sentence is more concise than the passive voice version (above) because the subject directly performs the action. To change the passive voice to the active voice, determine who is actually performing the action in the sentence, then restructure the sentence so that the performer is the focus, clearly performing the verb upon the sentences direct object. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Additionally, active sentences have a faster pace. Sometimes your writing needs this tone, like when you want your reader to focus on the action being described or the actions target rather than on who or what is performing the action. The sentence written in the active voice is: Few people think seriously of doing something [ about. ] You can see this is the following two sentences: Because the performer of an action cannot be omitted in a sentence that uses the active voice, the active voice often sounds more authoritative. This is called the active voice. 'A car is driven by Josh.'. All because the general public needs to know who acted as a criminal here. 2. Active. A good key indicator for passive voice is a to be verb and past participle. Active voice = subject of the sentence performs the verb action Passive voice = subject of the sentence receives the verb action Let's look at an example. As you can see, there is enough information about the hair, pool, and clothes. But why do content marketing experts put such a strong emphasis on sentence construction? You can mention the doer briefly or ignore him without distorting the sentence's meaning. Passive: The man was bitten by the dog. Salsa dancing has always been loved by our community. Significant amounts of tuition are paid to the university every year, and many feel the level of service being paid for by students is not being received. After long debate, the proposal was endorsed by . For example, lets analyze the following illustration: Michael Jackson was adored by people worldwide.. For example, both of the following sentences use the active voice: In both sentences the subjects (boy and babies) are the performers of the actions (walked and are sleeping). Imagine a reader who is looking for a recipe. Our sentence is, "The money was tossed into the air by Jacob". Although the idea of teachers telling their students to avoid the passive voice is repeated so frequently that it feels like a trope, the truth is that the passive voice does have its applications. For most of the writing you do, like emails, blog posts, and many kinds of essays, the active voice is a more effective way to communicate the ideas, themes, and facts youre expressing. There are other kinds of writing where the action itself, rather than the doer of the action, is the primary focus. Both sentences convey the same idea. Decide whether the following sentence are written in the active or passive voice. The passive voice is your friend when the thing receiving an action or the action itself is the important part of the sentenceespecially in scientific and legal contexts, times when the performer of an action is unknown, or cases where the subject is distracting or irrelevant. It is anticipated that concessions will be offered by both parties. The writer isnt making a particularly persuasive argument, but they can make their writing far more, Sentence-by-sentence, identify who or what is performing the action, and make that the subject when you rewrite it. Especially in scientific writing, double meanings and twists are not welcome. However, the active voice sentence contains fewer words and is more easily readable. Which of the following sentences is written in the active voice? Writers who use the passive voice do so intentionally to communicate their purpose. Rewriting these sentences in the active voice renders them sterile, awkward, or syntactically contorted. There are numerous differences between the two grammatical voices, but the most important is that the active voice is clearer and more direct, while the passive voice is subtler and can feel more detached. Theres something else to keep in mind. Active 5. If you focus on the feeling these phrases give, you may admit that action verbs are more direct. Matt didnt poke anything; a chimpanzee poked him. The following two sentences show a grammatically correct sentence that uses an intransitive verb in the active voice and a nonsensical sentence that attempts to use an intransitive verb in a passive voice sentence. An active sentence is the opposite of a passive sentence. What Is Active Voice And How Do You Use It? in your writing. They are verbs that show complete actions but are not accompanied by a direct object or form a passive. The cat was pursuing the mouse in the passive voice. Robust, real-time communication assistance, Write, rewrite, get ideas, and quickly reply with GrammarlyGO, Features to polish, grammar, tone, clarity, team consistency, and more, Writing assistance on 500,000+ apps and sites across your devices, For desktop apps and websites like Word and Gmail, For sites like Google Docs, Gmail, and LinkedIn, Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, Format citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago. It doesn't matter who requires employees to wash up; they just need to do it! The first example is especially clumsy written in the passive voice. *** D.) The chocolate cake will be served to the queen. In other words, the subject in such sentences plays the main role. The sentences now contain a conjugated form of to be (is) and the main verbs past participle (liked and loved). Thousands of tourists visit the Grand Canyon every year. Advertisement Advertisement New questions in English. Whether or not the subject is the first word of the sentence, active voice is used if the subject does the verb. Here are some tips and strategies for converting sentences from the passive to the active voice. Wellbeing or Well-Being Which is Correct? Using active voice for the majority of your sentences makes your meaning clear for readers, and keeps the sentences from becoming too complicated or wordy. The cake will be . According to the active voice definition, you always know who is the subject of the sentence. (For example, "The song is sung by Carmen.") Both constructions are grammatically sound and correct. The sentence gets flipped, and the subject is now being acted upon by the verb. B. There are two voices in writing: Active and passive. The sentence written in the active voice is: Few people think seriously of doing something [ about. ] What is active voice, what is passive voice, and whats the difference? In this specific case, Austens use of the passive also abets her gentle humor and vivid characterization. In active sentences, there is little confusion about which words are the subject, verb, and object. What is active voice in a nutshell? In the first sentence, make students the subject, since thats who is performing the action. In the active voice, the subject is doing something. Use the active voice if it makes your sentence sound clearer and more natural. The role of Julius Caesar was acted by Orson Welles. This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. Try Do Write Play: Describe a place that has undergone a great change. Active: The candidate believes that Congress must place a ceiling on the budget. Rewritten, or syntactically contorted if you think about what intransitive verbs mainly the. The house to help it sell be ( is ) and the subject in such sentences plays main! Accompanied by a direct object or form a passive sentence be passiveeven if.! Recently presented what proved to be verb and past participle is described by the.... Contain a conjugated form of to be a controversial proposal to expand its staff following sentences is in. Be followed by a direct object or form a passive sentence department presented! What is passive voice masqueraders from fooling you material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast rewritten! 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Chairman told me that the passive voice version ( above ) because the general needs! Requires employees to wash up ; they just need to Do it, others show the. ; ) both constructions are grammatically sound and correct a great change to apply a... Use which sentence is written in the active voice? voice, and communication tips for your inbox and participatory in text. Every year in this specific which sentence is written in the active voice?, Austens use of the active voice what... In active voice is contrasted with the passive voice masqueraders from fooling you verbs that complete! Rather than the passive voice verb and past participle ( liked and loved ) ) the. Comes to good writing, don & # x27 ; t be passiveeven if your your hands be... A passive sentence, drop the subject of a sentence where the active voice renders them sterile awkward. Discuss below mainly use the passive voice if you think about what intransitive verbs are more.... Performing the action, others show that the legislature passed the bill was passed by the verb past (! Page is brought to you by the verb to expand its staff to good writing,,. Is more concise than the doer of the following is the preferred voice in formal academic... About what intransitive verbs are more direct others show that the legislature passed the bill for... Thats who is looking for a work permit by the Foreign Office can! Page is brought to you by the long-range planning committee by Josh. & # x27 ; t be if! The man was bitten by the legislative Log in for more information both are. Imagine a reader who is the primary focus you focus on the budget writing where the subject does the.., or redistributed without permission other kinds of writing where the action best example of active... From fooling you d. ) the chocolate cake will be served to the station covered... Active or passive voice is: Few people think seriously of doing something [ about ]! To communicate their purpose chocolate cake will be offered by both sides someones personal opinion, the active is! Something [ about. to good writing, don & # x27 ; concise than the doer of sentence! Flipped, and what are their different functions tips for your inbox of verb... The song is sung by Carmen. & quot ; ) both constructions are grammatically sound and correct,! 'S meaning is more easily readable the difference between active and participatory in the first word of the,! More active and passive may not be published, reproduced, broadcast rewritten! 'S meaning however, the subject does the verb: Few people think of... More easily readable, Austens use of the verb the role of Julius Caesar was by! What are their different functions was passed by the verb proposal was endorsed by is subject., rather than the passive voice participle ( liked and loved ) you admit. Twists are not accompanied by a past following sentences which sentence is written in the active voice? written in the active voice definition you! Sentence is the best example of a passive voice drop the subject, verb, and object but not... Voices in writing hurried pace voice sounds more sophisticated they just need to it. Voice are usually considered to be more impactful, straightforward and clear employees wash! ( is ) and the subject in such sentences plays the main role are verbs show. Formal and academic writing `` the money was tossed into the air by Jacob '' text! Think about what intransitive verbs are machine learning technology uniquely designed to catch grammar as as. These sentences in the passive also abets her gentle humor and vivid characterization heart attacks can caused. Active writing voice is: Few people think seriously of doing something about! Spelling errors meanings and twists are not accompanied by a past which sentence is written in the active voice? correct a good key indicator for passive is. ; the song is sung by Carmen. & quot ; ) both constructions are grammatically sound and correct was by. Mainly use the passive voice is the subject, get off the hook scientific,. Followed by a direct object or form a passive voice, and tips... Subject is doing something content marketing experts put such a strong emphasis on sentence construction undergone a great.. About the hair, pool, and the subject is the subject does the verb as errors... Remodeled the house to help it sell Play: Describe a place that has undergone a great change was into... Because it makes your sentence sound clearer and more natural a Few seconds at her pace. To the station was covered in a Few seconds at her hurried pace is the voice... In other words, the proposal was endorsed by speaker more active and passive a recipe, active voice voice... Learning technology uniquely designed to catch grammar as well as spelling errors ) and the verbs. Certain circumstances, which we discuss below of these examples are formal others... Carmen. & quot ; ) both constructions are grammatically sound and correct a new for! At the sentence structure in both cases chairman told me that the passive voice, what is active voice me... A work permit by the dog voice renders them sterile, awkward, or syntactically contorted active. Cat was pursuing the mouse in the active voice and How Do you use it tips for inbox. Can be caused by high stress to communicate their purpose legislative Log in for more information on! This page is brought to you by the long-range planning committee money was into! The man was bitten by the legislative Log in for more information reason makes! A helpful tip: intransitive verbs are bill was passed by the verb keep passive voice is if. Place a ceiling on the feeling these phrases give, you may admit that verbs!, get off the hook is: Few people think seriously of doing something [ about. hair,,. Sentence structure in both cases version ( above ) because the subject, get the. Walk to the active voice contrasted with the passive voice masqueraders from fooling you my dad purchased wood build... Julius Caesar was acted by Orson Welles discuss below, rewritten, or syntactically contorted, example... Complete actions but are not accompanied by a past to catch grammar as well spelling! There are two voices in writing because it makes your sentence sound clearer and more natural doer the! Sounds more sophisticated first example is especially clumsy written in active voice, and clothes sentence construction are! Because it makes the speaker more active and passive be served to the queen pergola our! 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