Passive vs Active Voice

Introduction

‘Voice’ refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. A sentence is said to be in the active voice if the subject is performing the action of the verb. For example, ‘Tex is calling Tammy.’ In this sentence, the subject (Tex) performs the action of calling Tammy. Active subjects are called ‘agents’.

The passive voice, on the other hand, refers to a sentence in which the subject receives the action. In other words, the subject is passive, or acted upon by the agent. For example: ‘Tammy is being called by Tex.’ In this sentence, Tammy receives the action performed by Tex, the agent.

Active vs Passive Voice

The active voice emphasizes the person/thing doing the action in a sentence. For example, The outfielder throws the ball. The subject, “outfielder” actively performs the action of the verb “throw.” The passive voice emphasizes the recipient of the action. In other words, something is being done to something by somebody: The ball was thrown (by the outfielder). Passive constructions are generally wordier and often leave out the person/thing doing the action.

ActivePassive

S →V →OS ←V ←O

Subject → actively does the action of the verb → to the object of the sentenceSubject ← passively receives the action of the verb ← from the object

Subject → acts → on objectSubject ← is acted upon ← by the object

While the passive voice has a place—particularly if you want to emphasize the receiver of an action as the subject of the sentence, or the action itself, or you want to avoid using first person—its overuse results in writing that is wordy, vague, and stuffy. When possible, use the active voice to convey who or what performs the action of the verb.

The following video explores the analysis of active vs passive voice:

Summary

We want to use active verbs whenever possible as they allow us to express ourselves clearly, succinctly, and strongly. Active verbs imply that we’re confident with what we’re saying; we believe in our words. Agency involves understanding the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence and whether or not the subject is the agent in the sentence.

Sources:

“Active vs. Passive Voice.” By Tex’s French Grammar. Retrieved from: https://www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/tav1.html Licensed under: CC-BY

“Active Versus Passive Verbs.” By Excelsior Online Writing Lab. Retrieved from: https://owl.excelsior.edu/grammar-essentials/parts-of-speech/verbs/active-versus-passive-verbs/ Licensed under: CC-BY

“2.2 Communicating with Precision.” By Suzan Last. Retrieved from: https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/chapter/communicatingprecision/#fig2.2.1 Licensed under: CC-BY

“Grammar: Active and Passive Voice.” By OWLPurdue. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEP-8lFTKKg Licensed under: CC-BY