Understanding the Voices in English Grammar: Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

Differentiate between an active voice and a passive voice sentence.

In English grammar, the voice of a sentence is a way of expressing the relationship between the subject (the one who performs the action) and the verb

In English grammar, the voice of a sentence is a way of expressing the relationship between the subject (the one who performs the action) and the verb. The two main voices used in English are active voice and passive voice.

Active Voice:
In an active voice sentence, the subject is the one performing the action indicated by the verb. The subject is typically at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the verb and the object.

Example:
Active voice: “John (subject) eats (verb) an apple (object).”

In this example, John is the one performing the action of eating, and the sentence focuses on him.

Passive Voice:
In a passive voice sentence, the subject is the one who receives or undergoes the action, whereas the performer of the action is either not mentioned or de-emphasized. The structure of a passive voice sentence is different from the active voice, as the object or the receiver of the action becomes the subject of the sentence.

Example:
Passive voice: “An apple (subject) is (verb) eaten (past participle) by John (agent).”

In this example, the focus is on the apple, which is the receiver of the action of being eaten. The performer of the action (John) is mentioned after the verb, using the preposition “by” to indicate the agent.

Key Differences:
1. Subject: In active voice, the subject performs the action, while in passive voice, the subject receives or undergoes the action.
2. Structure: Active voice follows a subject-verb-object pattern, while passive voice follows a subject-verb-(object)-prepositional phrase pattern.
3. Verb tense: Active voice uses the present simple tense, while passive voice mainly uses the past simple tense or present perfect tense, depending on the context.
4. Focus: Active voice emphasizes the doer of the action, while passive voice emphasizes the action or the object being acted upon.

It is important to note that the choice between active and passive voice depends on the context and the desired focus in a sentence. Active voice is generally more direct, clear, and dynamic, while passive voice is mostly used when the performer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or intentionally hidden.

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