Learn the meaning and definition of active vs passive voice in English. Understand the difference between active and passive voice through examples and a comparison table. Also, Choose the appropriate voice to convey your message effectively.
Understanding the Difference between Active vs Passive Voice:
Meaning and Definition
Active and passive voice are two different ways to construct sentences in English. The choice between active and passive voice depends on the emphasis you want to give to the subject and the object of the sentence. What is the Difference between Typhoon vs Hurricane?
In active voice, the subject of the sentence acts, while in passive voice, the subject receives the action. For example, in the active voice sentence ‘John wrote the report,’ John is the subject and the doer of the action, while the report is the object. Also, In the passive voice sentence ‘The report was written by John,’ the report becomes the subject and the receiver of the action.
Difference Table Chart
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| The subject performs the action | The subject receives the action |
| Emphasizes the doer of the action | Also, Emphasizes the receiver of the action |
| Shorter sentence structure | Longer sentence structure |
| Direct and straightforward | Indirect and less immediate |
Examples
Let’s look at a few examples to understand the difference between active vs passive voice:
1. Active Voice: The chef prepared the meal.
Passive Voice: Also, The meal was prepared by the chef.
2. Active Voice: She wrote the letter.
Passive Voice: Also, The letter was written by her.
3. Active Voice: They built the house.
Passive Voice: Also, The house was built by them.
4. Active Voice: The company will launch a new product.
Passive Voice: Also, The new product will be launched by the company.
5. Active Voice: The team won the championship.
Passive Voice: Also, The championship was won by the team.
By understanding the difference between active vs passive voice, you can choose the appropriate voice to convey your message effectively. Both active and passive voice have their strengths and can used in different situations to create varying impacts.
