Grasping the distinction between active and passive voice is vital for effective communication. This enhances both grammatical precision and clarity, especially when using passive structures. Both voices are grammatically correct but are used in different contexts to emphasize different parts of a sentence. Here are five essential rules to help you use active and passive voice properly.
1. Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object
In any sentence, the subject performs the action, the verb describes the action, and the object receives the action. In active voice, the subject comes first and does the action (e.g., “The chef cooked the meal”). In passive voice, the object comes first and the action is received (e.g., “The meal was cooked by the chef”). Recognizing these parts helps you decide how to structure the sentence.
2. Use the Correct Verb Form in Passive Voice
When forming the passive voice, you must use the correct form of the verb “to be” along with the past participle of the main verb. The structure usually looks like this: object + form of “to be” + past participle + (by + subject). For example, “The essay is written by the teachers.” This ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity in passive constructions.
3. Active Voice Is Preferred for Clarity and Strength
Generally, active voice is more direct and vigorous. It clearly shows who is doing what, which makes writing easier to follow. For example, For example, instead of saying “The request was approved by the manager,” it’s clearer to say, “The manager approved the request. In academic, professional, or persuasive writing, leaning towards active voice is particularly beneficial when clarity is paramount.
4. Use Passive Voice When the Actor Is Unknown or Unimportant
Passive voice is useful when the subject performing the action is unknown, irrelevant, or obvious. For example, “The window was broken last night” works if it’s not known who broke it. This voice is also common in scientific and technical writing, where the focus is often on the action or result rather than the actor.
5. Avoid Overusing Passive Voice
While passive voice is grammatically correct, excessive use can lead to vague, wordy, or impersonal writing. Strive for a balance. Use passive voice strategically, not by default. If every sentence starts with “It was…” or “The data were…,” your writing may lose impact.
In summary, mastering active and passive voice requires understanding sentence structure, using correct verb forms, and knowing when to emphasize the subject or the object. These five rules will help you write more effectively and adapt your voice to suit different writing goals.