Contents

1. Introduction...................................................................................................................2

2. Active and passive voice...............................................................................................3

2.1. Active voice................................................................................................................3

2.2. Structure.....................................................................................................................3

2.3. Passive voice..............................................................................................................4

2.3.1. Structure of Passive Voice.......................................................................................4

2.3.2. Usage of Passive Voice:...........................................................................................4

2.3.3. In more formal or scientific contexts.......................................................................5

2.4. Difference between active and passive voice.............................................................5

2.4.1. Key Differences:......................................................................................................6

2.5. Transformation from active to passive.......................................................................6

2.6. Passive to active transformation.................................................................................7

3. Conclusion.....................................................................................................................8

4. Bibliographic references................................................................................................9
1. Introduction
In English grammar, the voice of a sentence refers to whether the subject performs the
action or receives the action. The two main voices are active voice and passive voice.
These are the two different ways of expressing actions or relationships between the
subject, verb, and object in a sentence. Active voice is a more direct and clear way of
expressing an action, while passive voice is used when the focus is on the object or
receiver of the action rather than the doer. Understanding the difference between active
and passive voice is crucial for clear and effective communication in both spoken and
written English.

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2. Active and passive voice

2.1. Active voice

Active voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence
performs the action described by the verb, rather than receiving it. This structure
typically follows a clear Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, making sentences more
direct, concise, and engaging.

In active voice, the subject is the agent of the action, ensuring clarity in communication.
This contrasts with passive voice, where the focus shifts to the receiver of the action,
often making the sentence longer or less direct.

Example:

Active voice: The chef cooked a delicious meal.

Subject: The chef (performs the action)

Verb: cooked (action being performed)

Object: a delicious meal (receives the action) In passive voice, this would be:

A delicious meal was cooked by the chef.

Active voice is generally preferred in writing because it improves readability,

emphasizes the doer of the action, and creates a stronger impact.

2.2. Structure
The structure of active voice in English follows the basic order of Subject + Verb +
Object.

[Subject] + [Verb] + [Object]. Example:

The instructor (subject) teaches (verb) the students (object).

In this structure, the subject performs the action, the verb describes the action, and the
object receives the action. Active voice emphasizes the doer of the action.

Example

Here are 5 examples of active voice sentences with their structure:

1. The dog (subject) chased (verb) the ball (object).

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2. The student (subject) completed (verb) the assignment (object).

3. The artist (subject) painted (verb) a beautiful portrait (object).

4. The engineer (subject) designed (verb) the new bridge (object).

5. The team (subject) won (verb) the championship (object).

In each sentence, the subject performs the action expressed by the verb, and the object
receives that action.

2.3. Passive voice

Passive voice is a grammatical structure in which the subject of the sentence
receives the action of the verb rather than performing it. The focus in passive voice is on
the action itself or the receiver of the action, not the agent (doer) of the action.

2.3.1. Structure of Passive Voice

[Subject] + [form of "to be"] + [past participle of the main verb] + (by [agent]).

In passive voice, the object of an action becomes the subject of the sentence, while the
subject (or agent) may either be omitted or introduced later in the sentence with "by."

Example:

 Active voice: The chef cooks the meal.

 Passive voice: The meal is cooked by the chef.
 Subject: The meal (now the receiver of the action)
 Verb: is cooked (form of "to be" + past participle)
 Agent: by the chef (optional)

2.3.2. Usage of Passive Voice:

When the doer of the action is unknown, irrelevant, or unimportant. To focus more on
the action or the recipient of the action.

In formal, scientific, or impersonal writing, where the emphasis is on the process or

result rather than the individual performing the action.

When the focus is on the result or action rather than who performed it. To highlight the
receiver of the action.

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2.3.3. In more formal or scientific contexts.
Passive voice is common in formal writing or when the agent performing the action is
not as important as the action itself.

Examples

Here are 5 examples of passive voice sentences:

1. The ball (subject) was chased (verb) by the dog (agent).

2. The assignment (subject) was completed (verb) by the student (agent).

3. A beautiful portrait (subject) was painted (verb) by the artist (agent).

4. The new bridge (subject) was designed (verb) by the engineer (agent).

5. The championship (subject) was won (verb) by the team (agent).

In each example, the focus is on the subject that receives the action, and the agent

(doer of the action) is optional and can be added with "by."

2.4. Difference between active and passive voice

The main difference between active voice and passive voice in English lies in the focus
and structure of the sentence:

a) Active Voice:
Focus: The subject of the sentence performs the action. Structure: Subject + Verb +
Object

Example:

The teacher (subject) teaches (verb) the lesson (object).

Here, the teacher is doing the action, and the focus is on the teacher.

b) Passive Voice:

Focus: The subject of the sentence receives the action, and the agent (doer) may be
omitted or placed after "by."

Structure: Subject + form of "to be" + past participle of the verb + (by + agent)

Example:

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The lesson (subject) is taught (verb) by the teacher (agent).

Here, the focus is on the lesson being taught, and the teacher (doer) is mentioned after
"by."

2.4.1. Key Differences:

1. Active voice emphasizes the doer of the action, while passive voice emphasizes the
receiver of the action.

2. In active voice, the sentence structure is straightforward (subject-verb-object),

whereas in passive voice, the sentence structure is altered (subject + form of "to be"

+ past participle).

3. Active voice is generally more direct, while passive voice is more formal or used
when the doer is unknown or less important.

2.5. Transformation from active to passive

To transform an active voice sentence into passive voice in English, follow these steps:

Steps to change active voice to passive voice:

1. Identify the subject, verb, and object in the active voice sentence.

2. Move the object from the active sentence to become the subject of the passive
sentence.

3. Use the correct form of the verb "to be" based on the tense of the active sentence.

4. Change the main verb to its past participle form.

5. Optionally, add the agent (the doer of the action) using "by." Example 1:

Active voice: The teacher (subject) teaches (verb) the lesson (object). Passive voice:
The lesson (subject) is taught (verb) by the teacher (agent). Example 2:

Active voice: The chef (subject) prepares (verb) the meal (object). Passive voice: The
meal (subject) is prepared (verb) by the chef (agent). Example 3:

Active voice: They (subject) completed (verb) the project (object).

Passive voice: The project (subject) was completed (verb) by them (agent). Summary:

The object of the active voice becomes the subject in the passive voice.

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The verb "to be" is used in the correct tense, followed by the past participle of the main
verb.

The agent (the doer of the action) can be included or omitted.

These steps ensure the correct transformation from active to passive voice while
maintaining proper grammatical structure.

2.6. Passive to active transformation

To transform a passive voice sentence into active voice, follow these steps: Steps to
change passive voice to active voice:

1. Identify the subject, verb, and agent in the passive voice sentence.

2. Move the agent (the doer of the action) to the subject position.

3. Use the correct form of the verb based on the tense of the sentence.

4. Make the object the receiver of the action.

Example:

Passive voice: The lesson (subject) is taught (verb) by the teacher (agent). Active voice:
The teacher (subject) teaches (verb) the lesson (object). Example 2:

Passive voice: The meal (subject) is prepared (verb) by the chef (agent). Active voice:
The chef (subject) prepares (verb) the meal (object). Example 3:

Passive voice: The project (subject) was completed (verb) by them (agent). Active
voice: They (subject) completed (verb) the project (object). Summary:

The agent in the passive voice becomes the subject in the active voice.

The object of the passive sentence becomes the receiver of the action in the active
sentence.

The verb is adjusted to match the tense in the active sentence.

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3. Conclusion
A thorough understanding of the distinction between active and passive voice is crucial
for achieving clarity, precision, and adaptability in written communication. Active
voice, with its straightforward subject-verb-object structure, enhances readability and
emphasizes the agent performing the action, making it the preferred choice for most
types of writing — particularly when the goal is to engage the reader or convey
information directly.

Conversely, passive voice proves valuable in contexts where the action or the result
holds greater significance than the doer, such as in academic, scientific, or formal
writing. It shifts the focus from the agent to the action itself, contributing to a more
objective, impersonal tone when needed.

The ability to skillfully transition between active and passive voice allows writers to
tailor their sentences to the demands of different contexts and audiences. Ultimately, the
most effective writing comes from a deliberate choice of voice, ensuring the intended
message is conveyed with the appropriate emphasis and style.

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4. Bibliographic references
Azar, B. S., & Hagen, S. A. (2017). Understanding and Using English Grammar (5th
ed.). Pearson Education.

Murphy, R. (2019). English Grammar in Use (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Swan, M. (2016). Practical English Usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.