Understanding the Difference Between Active and Passive Voice

When it comes to writing, there are two main types of verb voices: active and passive. The key phrase 'active voice' refers to sentences in which the subject performs the action described by the verb, whereas 'passive voice' describes sentences where the subject is acted upon by the verb.

To identify whether a sentence is in active or passive voice, ask yourself if the subject of the sentence performed the action of the verb. If yes, then it's an active voice, and if no, it's a passive voice. This simple rule can help you distinguish between the two voices.

Let's look at some examples to illustrate this concept. Consider the sentence 'The soldier ants invaded the picnic with military precision.' In this case, the subject 'soldier ants' is performing the action of invading the picnic, making it an active voice.

On the other hand, consider the sentence 'The boy was seen tripping while he ran.' Here, the subject 'boy' is not performing the action of tripping; rather, someone or something else (the verb 'was seen') is performing the action on the boy. This makes it a passive voice.

Another example is 'Some weasel removed the cork from my lunch.' In this case, the subject 'some weasel' is performing the action of removing the cork, making it an active voice.

It's worth noting that in some cases, identifying whether a sentence is in active or passive voice can be a bit trickier. For instance, consider the sentence 'All power corrupts.' At first glance, it may seem like the subject 'power' is performing the action of corrupting, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the verb 'corrupts' is describing how power affects something else.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between active and passive voice can help you improve your writing skills and communicate more effectively. By recognizing when a sentence is in active or passive voice, you can choose the appropriate tone and style for your writing.

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Examples of Verbs in the Active Voice

Here are four interactive examples showing the difference between active and passive voice:

1. The soldier ants invaded the picnic with military precision.

2. Some weasel removed the cork from my lunch.

3. Curiosity killed the cat.

4. Janet posted a comment on social media.

In these examples, the subjects are highlighted, and the verbs are bolded to illustrate the difference between active and passive voice. Remember that if a verb is in the active voice, its subject performs the action of the verb.

Active voice and passive voice examples