What Is the Active Voice? If the subject is performing the action, then the verb is said to be in the active voice. Look at this: |
The active voice is the most commonly used in many languages and represents the "normal" case, in which the subject of the verb is the agent.
In the active voice the subject of the sentence performs the action or causes the happening denoted by the verb.
If the subject is having the action done to it, then the verb is said to be in the passive voice. Look at this:
The passive voice is employed in a clause whose subject expresses the theme or patient of the verb. That is, it undergoes an action or has its state changed.
In the passive voice the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the doer) of the action denoted by the verb.
The Spanish language and the English language use a periphrastic passive voice; that is, it is not a single word form, but rather a construction making use of other word forms. Specifically, it is made up of a form of the auxiliary verb to be and a past participle of the main verb. In other languages, such as Latin, the passive voice is simply marked on the verb by inflection: lib rum legit "He reads the book"; liber legitur "The book is read".
When To Use the Active and Passive Voice
How do you decide when to use the active voice and when to use passive voice? Well, both are grammatically correct. However, the emphasis of the subject and object changes. Below is a list of advantages for both which will help to guide your decision.
Advantages of the active voice:
Advantages of the active voice:
· Active sentences are shorter.
· Active sentences are more direct. (This ensures the subject takes responsibility for the action.)
· Active sentences are more engaging for the reader.
· Active sentences are often less confusing and less ambiguous.
· Active sentences allow you to express an authoritative tone.
Advantages of the passive voice:
· Passive sentences allow the subject to avoid responsibility for the action.
· Passive sentences can show a neutral or objective tone.
· Passive sentences are used when the subject is obvious, unimportant, or unknown.
· Passive sentences allow you to shift the focus of the subject.
(This allows you to highlight what is truly important for your sentence.)
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