Active vs Passive Voice

What is Active Voice?When the subject of a sentence PERFORMS the action.

Frank built the house.

Active Example

The blazing fire blistered the outside walls.

Subject – fireVerb – blisteredObject – walls

What is Passive VoiceWhen the subject receives the action.When the “doer” of the action comes late in the sentence.

The house was built by Frank

Why Does This MatterActive voice is stronger and more direct.

We know who did something!More concise

Passive voice is often vague and boring.Have to read more to find out who did somethingVerbose – “to be”

Active is Usually BetterImmediately know the subject

Know the doer of the action

If we WANT to be vague – Passive VoiceAcademic writing is NOT to be vague!

ExamplesActive

The nymphs dished it out.

PassiveIt was dished out by the nymphs

ExamplesActive

They broke into the Watergate Hotel.

PassiveThe Watergate Hotel was broken into.

By whom? Who ordered it?Very vague

Clues of Passive Voice1) A form of the verb “to be”

As, is, are, was, were, etc

2) A past-participle Past-tense for of a verb Convicted, stolen

3) The word “by” If the performer of the action is implied, unknown, or omitted

ScenarioWhile rough housing with your brother, one of you broke a lamp.

If your brother broke it, you’d say…..Active voice

If you broke it, you’d say….Passive voice….

PracticeThe art of Lucia Wilcox was admired by artists around the world.

Exhibits of her paintings were shown all over the world.

Her blindness was caused by a tumor near the optic nerve.

Practice AnswersArtists from around the world admired Lucia Wilcox’s work.

Museums showed exhibits of her work.

A tumor near her optic nerve caused her blindness.

SummarySeek to write in the ACTIVE voice.

More preciseMore clear

PASSIVE voiceFeels slowFeels vague