Active vs. Passive Voice: Whats the Difference and When to Use Them
By Hardik Shukla November 15, 2024
Understanding the role of voice in writing can be a game changer in how you communicate. Whether you’re crafting a job application or prepping for your IELTS online course, knowing when to use active or passive voice can make your writing clearer and more engaging.
In this blog, we’ll explore what active and passive voices are, how they differ and when to use each. For instance, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the active voice makes it clear who’s doing what. In contrast, “The mouse was chased by the cat” shifts the focus to the mouse. This guide will help you sharpen your writing skills, making you more confident in your communication, especially during interviews or while studying for your IELTS. Let’s dive in!
Table of contents
- What is Active Voice?
- What is Passive Voice?
- Key Differences Between Active and Passive Voice
- When to Use Active Voice
- When to Use Passive Voice
- Converting Between Active and Passive Voice
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- In Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Active Voice?
Active voice is a straightforward way of writing where the subject performs the action of the verb. It follows a simple structure: subject-verb-object. This makes your sentences clear and direct, which is super helpful when you’re crafting applications or preparing for an English speaking course online.
For example, in the sentence “The teacher explains the lesson,” the teacher (subject) is doing the explaining (verb) to the lesson (object). This structure helps the reader understand who is doing what right away. Another example could be “The dog chased the ball.” Here, the dog is clearly the one taking action.
Using active voice keeps your writing engaging and lively, making it easier for your audience to connect with your message. So, when you’re writing that CV or essay, remember to keep it active and vibrant!
What is Passive Voice?
Passive voice is a way of writing where the subject receives the action rather than doing it. The structure is usually subject-verb-object, but in passive sentences, the focus is on the action being done to the subject. This can make the writing feel a bit more formal or indirect, which might not be what you want when preparing for an IELTS online course.
For example, instead of saying “The chef cooked the meal,” you might say “The meal was cooked by the chef.” Here, the meal (subject) is receiving the action and the chef is mentioned later. This structure can sometimes make sentences longer and less direct.
Using passive voice can be useful when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. Just remember, while it has its place, too much passive voice can make your writing feel weak. So, aim for a balance!
Key Differences Between Active and Passive Voice
When it comes to writing, understanding the differences between active and passive voice can make a big difference in how your message comes across. In active voice, the structure typically follows a clear pattern: the subject performs the action. For example, “The student completed the assignment.” This makes your writing direct and engaging, which is especially important when preparing for interviews or taking an IELTS online course.
In contrast, passive voice flips the focus. The structure changes to highlight the action being done to the subject: “The assignment was completed by the student.” While this can be useful in certain contexts, it may lead to less clarity and can sound a bit formal or distant.
Ultimately, active voice tends to keep your writing lively and reader-friendly, while passive voice can sometimes obscure the doer of the action. Balancing both voices will help you communicate more effectively!
When to Use Active Voice
Active voice is often the go-to choice in various writing situations, especially when you want to engage your audience directly. Here are some key scenarios where active voice shines:
- Persuasive Writing: Use active voice to create compelling arguments. For example, “Our programme boosts your skills” is more convincing than “Your skills are boosted by our programme.”
- Journalism: Active voice keeps news stories clear and engaging. For instance, “The team won the match” grabs attention compared to “The match was won by the team.”
Benefits of using active voice include building stronger connections with your audience and making your writing feel more dynamic. This approach can be particularly helpful when you’re drafting content for an English speaking online course or preparing for interviews.
When to Use Passive Voice
While active voice is often preferable, there are times when passive voice is appropriate:
- Scientific Writing: When the focus is on the action rather than the doer, passive voice works well. For instance, “The experiment was conducted” emphasises the procedure rather than who performed it.
- Unknown Doer: If the doer’s identity is irrelevant or unknown, passive voice can be a good fit. For example, “Mistakes were made” shifts attention away from who made them.
Using passive voice can lend a sense of formality and objectivity to your writing, which is useful in academic or technical contexts. Understanding when to switch between these voices will help you communicate effectively in various situations!
Converting Between Active and Passive Voice
Converting sentences from active to passive voice (and vice versa) can seem tricky at first, but it’s easier than it sounds. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the process:
Rules for Conversion
- Identify the Subject and Object: In an active sentence, the subject performs the action, while in a passive sentence, the subject receives the action.
- Change the Structure: The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
- Adjust the Verb Form: You’ll often need to use a form of “to be” plus the past participle of the main verb.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Active to Passive:
- Active: “The teacher (subject) explains (verb) the lesson (object).”
- Passive: “The lesson (new subject) is explained (verb) by the teacher (doer).”
- Passive to Active:
- Passive: “The song (subject) was sung (verb) by the children (doer).”
- Active: “The children (new subject) sang (verb) the song (object).”
Practising these conversions will improve your writing skills, especially if you’re preparing for an IELTS online course or job interviews. Being comfortable with both voices will enhance your communication in any context!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using passive voice, writers often fall into some common traps. Here are a few mistakes to watch out for, along with tips to help you write clearly and effectively.
1. Overusing Passive Voice
Using passive voice too much can make your writing sound dull and indirect. For example, instead of saying, “The report was written by Sarah,” you could say, “Sarah wrote the report.” It keeps things lively and engaging.
2. Creating Unclear Constructions
Sometimes, sentences in passive voice can become confusing, especially if they lack a clear subject. For instance, “Mistakes were made” leaves the reader wondering who made them. Always try to clarify who is doing the action when you can.
Tips for Clarity
- Mix It Up: Use a combination of active and passive voice to keep your writing fresh.
- Read Aloud: Hearing your sentences can help you spot awkward phrases or unclear constructions.
By avoiding these mistakes, your writing will shine, whether you’re working on an IELTS online course or preparing for an interview!
In Conclusion
Choosing the right voice is crucial in effective communication. It can make your writing stand out, especially when you’re preparing with an English speaking course online from Oops study. So keep these tips in mind and let your voice shine through in your writing!
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How do you know when to use active or passive voice?
Use active voice when you want clarity and directness; choose passive voice if the action is more important than the subject or if the subject is unknown.
2) What is the main difference between active and passive voice?
In active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., “She wrote the report”), whereas in passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., “The report was written by her”).
3) How to remember the difference between active and passive voice?
Think of the active voice as “doer-first” and the passive voice as “action-first.”
