How to use the active or passive voice

Sentences can be described as active or passive. Sentences are usually constructed using the active voice with a subject, verb and object.

Using the passive voice is a way of writing sentences so that the subject has the action 'done' to it – the object of the sentence comes first. The passive voice can be useful for making writing sound more formal and objective by focussing on the result of an action rather than the person doing the action.

In a sentence written in the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. Sentences which use the active voice are usually more straightforward to understand as they are clear and direct.

Both these sentences use the active voice:

• The winner of the race lifted the trophy.
• The doctor examined the patient.

The subject 'the winner of the race' performs the action described by the verb 'lifted'. The subject 'the doctor' performs the action described by 'examined'. The subjects are all doing something – they are all taking action in these sentences.

In a sentence written in the passive voice the subject is acted on by the verb.

Active: The puppy chewed the toy.
Passive: The toy was chewed by the puppy.
Passive: The toy was chewed.

To create the passive voice, add the verb 'to be' (in the correct tense) and then the main verb. Often a preposition such as 'by' is also used.

For example:The patient was (past tense of to be) examined (verb) by (preposition) the doctor.Exams have to be taken every year by pupils.

Using the active voice in a sentence often means fewer words are used than in the passive voice.

For example:

• Passive: The books were collected by the teacher. (7 words)
• Active: The teacher collected the books. (5 words)

Passive sentences can cause confusion because they can be vague about who is responsible for the action. For example, ‘A goal was scored’. Who scored the goal? Doesn’t the writer know?

Converting sentences to active voice

One way to avoid using the passive voice is to look for a ‘by’ phrase. Rewrite the sentence so that the subject in the 'by' phrase is closer to the beginning of the sentence.

For example:‘The exam was passed by the pupil’ would change to ‘The pupil passed the exam’.

Reasons to use the passive voice

Although the active voice is usually the preferred choice, there are sometimes good reasons to use the passive voice:

• To show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action.
  For example, the castle was built in 1066 - we are interested in the castle, not in who built it.
• Because we don't know or do not want to say who performed the action.
  For example, ‘I had the feeling that I was being watched.’ - I don’t know who was watching me
• To create an authoritative or factual tone.
  For example, ‘Pupils are not allowed in the dining hall after 1:45 p.m.’ - it is a general rule