Mastering Active and Passive Voice

Object + Verb + Subject

• Active Structure

• Passive Structure

• Imperative Structure

• Interrogative Structure

Active Voice

• Subject performs action

• Action is performed on the subject

• Subject is passive

• Subject is not involved in the action

Passive Voice

• Subject performs action

• Subject receives action

• Action is ignored

• Subject is absent

Use of Passive

• Focus on action or object

• Emphasize the subject performing the action

• Make the sentence more complex

• Provide additional details about the action

The mouse was chased by the cat.

• Active Example

• Passive Example

• Neutral Example

• Descriptive Example

The cat chased the mouse.

• Active Example

• Passive Example

• Neutral Example

• Inverted Example

The teacher explains the lesson.

• The lesson is explained by the teacher.

• The teacher teaches the lesson.

• The lesson is created by the teacher.

• The teacher reviews the lesson.

Use of Active

• Focus on subject or doer

• Emphasize the action being performed

• Highlight the receiver of the action

• Concentrate on the background context

Subject + Verb + Object

• Active Structure

• Passive Structure

• Compound Structure

• Complex Structure

The school has invited a guest speaker.

• A guest speaker has been invited by the school.

• The school will invite a guest speaker.

• A guest speaker is being invited by the school.

• The school invited a guest speaker last year.