The difference between active and passive voice lies in the emphasis of the sentence. For instance, “The postman was bitten by the dog.” Active Passive Voice: The Difference In other words, the action is done to the subject. Passive voice, on the other hand, is a sentence structure where the object of the sentence becomes the subject of the sentence. For instance: “The dog bit the postman.” What is Passive Voice? In other words, the subject of the sentence is the one doing the action, while the object receives the action. This construction allows you to say two things about 'Martin' in a natural and efficient way.Active voice is a sentence structure where the subject of the sentence performs the action. It is followed by 'was tossed,' which is a passive verb. (In this sentence, the subject is 'Martin.' The verb 'crashed' is an active verb. Martin crashed into the barrier and was tossed in the crowd.

(Reason 5) A passive construction allows you to use the same subject twice. (The number of people is the focus of this sentence.)

An estimated 258,000 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes.

(Reason 4) Passive sentences allow you to put something you want to emphasize at the start of your sentence. (The doer of the action (called 'the agent') is unimportant.) (Reason 3) Passive sentences are appropriate when the doer of the action is unimportant, unknown, or obvious. (This passive sentence expresses a neutral tone.)

It is anticipated that concessions will be offered by both parties.

(Reason 2) Passive sentences can show a neutral or objective tone.

A serious failing in standing operating procedures had occurred.

Here are some more examples that do not reveal who was responsible:

Jackie released the document into the public domain.

The document had been released into the public domain.

Passive sentences are quite useful if you're trying not to apportion blame. (Reason 1) Passive sentences are useful to avoid blame. Here are five good reasons to use passive sentences. However, if you prefer your passive version, stick with it. This practice is so common that many grammar checkers (be they computer programs or real people) will suggest an active version of your passive sentence. Consequently, lots of companies instruct their staff to avoid using passive sentences. Here is a video summarizing this lesson on active and passive sentences.Īre you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos.Īctive sentences come in the form 'A affected B.' Passive sentences, however, come in the form 'B was affected by A.' As a result, active sentences are the easier to read, and they are often more succinct and direct. (In this active sentence, 'made' is in the active voice.) (In this passive sentence, 'was made' is in the passive voice.) Likewise, the verb in an active sentence is said to be in the active voice. The verb in a passive sentence is said to be in the passive voice.

Make passive (show the agent) Make active What Does 'Passive Voice' Mean? Make passive (hide the agent) Make active Carl sounded the alarm when David reported the smoke.In these examples, the agent (i.e., the person carrying out the action) is in bold.

the subject performs the action of the verb. The opposite of a passive sentence is an active sentence. The olives are stoned and crushed in this room by my son.Nowadays, black kites are protected by law.Anita was driven to the theatre by Carla.In a passive sentence, the person or thing doing the action (the agent) is usually preceded by the word 'by.' For example: With a Passive Sentence, Use 'By' to Show the Agent (The actions are being done to the subject 'the olives.') The olives are stoned and crushed in this room.(The action is being done to the subject 'black kites.') (In this example, Anita did not perform the action of the verb 'to drive.' The action was done to her. Here are some more examples of passive sentences: With a Passive Sentence, Use 'By' to Show the Agent.

Example of active voice