Active vs. Passive Voice

ACTIVE VS. PASSIVE

• Passive voice emphasizes the person or object receiving the action.

– The game was won.

• Active voice emphasizes the person or object performing the action.

– We won the game.

ACTIVE VOICE — ALWAYS

• Whenever possible, write in active voice. The reason is because:

– Action is engaging.

– Active voice is much clearer and more concise.

PASSIVE VOICE — RARELY

• Passive voice is rarely used because it is indirect and often includes weak verbs. The person doing the action is missing.

PASSIVE

• Only write in passive voice if you have a good reason to do so, such as when:

– The performer is unknown, irrelevant or obvious.

– The performer is less important than the action.

– The recipient is the main topic.

IDENTIFYING SENTENCES

• Find the subject. The subject should be the one performing the action, not receiving it.

Ex: The moon was jumped over by the cow.

Cow is the subject, but it is at the end. This sentence is passive.

PRACTICE• Identify active and passive verbs in the

Active vs. Passive Voice exit ticket.

USE• Edit at least one spread on which you are

working. Make sure all writing is in active voice.