Active vs Passive Voice

Active vs Passive Voice

Middle School

Understanding Active and Passive Voice

• Voice tells us if the subject is doing or receiving an action.
• In active voice, the subject performs the action in the sentence.
• For example: "The student wrote the essay."
• In passive voice, the subject receives the action in the sentence.
• For example: "The essay was written by the student."

Summary

• Active voice is when the subject does the action, making sentences clear and direct.
• In passive voice, the subject receives the action; the doer is often last.
• To find passive voice, look for a 'to be' verb and a past participle.
• Use active voice to make your writing more powerful, engaging, and easy to read.
• Use passive voice if the doer is unknown or you want to stress the object.