Basic Usage

• Any sentence can be written in either the active or the passive voice. In the active voice, the subject of the verb performs the action:

The athlete hit the ball.
The zooming car crossed the finish line.

• In the passive voice, the subject receives the verb’s action:

The ball was hit by the boy.
The finish line was crossed by the zooming car.

• The passive voice always uses a helping verb (usually a form of to be). In addition, it often uses a preposition (usually by):

Passive
The pedestrian was struck by the car.

Active
The car struck the pedestrian.

Why is Active Voice More Effective Than Passive Voice?

• Sentences in which the subject performs the action are more direct or vivid.

Passive
A new fiscal plan was drafted at the staff meeting yesterday.

Active
Yesterday, staff members drafted a new fiscal plan.

Passive
Hands were clapped, cheers were shouted and tears were shed by the fans when the Cardinals were declared winners of the World Series.

Active
Fans clapped, cheered and cried when the Cardinals won the World Series.

• The active voice emphasizes who or what is performing the action. (In the passive voice, the person or thing performing the action often does not even appear in the sentence.)

Passive
Mistakes were made by me.

Active
I made mistakes.

• Often, the writer drops the by clause entirely in a passive sentence.
• Subjects that act require powerful verbs that stimulate the imagination and senses.

Passive
The Jeep was driven down the street.

Active
The Jeep careened down the street.

Passive
The horse was ridden down the lane.

Active
The horse bolted down the lane.

• Sentences using the active voice are more concise.

Passive
The bouquet was caught by Molly.

Active
Molly caught the bouquet.

Is the Passive Voice Ever a Good Option?

The passive voice does have legitimate uses. It can be an effective choice when:

• You want to emphasize the receiver of the action, not the doer.

Joplin was leveled by a tornado.
Ninety interviews were conducted for the report.
The bill was passed unanimously.

• You do not know who or what performed the action.

The painting was stolen last night.
The vase was smashed to smithereens.

• You do not want to say who performed an action.

Layoffs will be announced today.
Angry words were spoken at the meeting.

• You want to create a particular mood or effect.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights….”

How Do I Recognize the Passive Voice?

• To test whether or not a sentence is written in the passive voice, ask:

What action is being performed?

Who is performing the action?

• Is the performer the subject of the sentence?

Take, for example, the following sentence: The car was washed by Remy.

What action is being performed? washed

• Who is performing the action? Remy

Is the performer the subject of the sentence? No. Therefore, this sentence is constructed in the passive voice.

Don’t Confuse the Passive Voice With the Past Tense

• Just remember this simple rule: You can express any verb tense in active or passive voice.

You can express any verb tense in active or passive voice. (present tense, active voice)

• Any verb tense can be expressed in active or passive voice. (present tense, passive voice)

She was taught that any verb tense could be expressed in active or passive voice.
(past tense, passive voice)

She learned that she could express any verb tense in active or passive voice.
(past tense, active voice)