Active voice and Passive voice with simple explanation
In English, the active voice is a grammatical voice that indicates that the subject of the sentence is performing the action described by the verb. The passive voice, on the other hand, is a grammatical voice that indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action described by the verb.
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between the active and passive voice:
Active voice:
The cat chased the mouse. (In this sentence, the subject "cat" is performing the action "chased.")
Passive voice:
The mouse was chased by the cat. (In this sentence, the subject "mouse" is receiving the action "chased.")
The active voice is more direct and concise, and it is generally preferred in academic writing and other formal contexts. The passive voice, on the other hand, is often used to emphasize the object of the action or to downplay the role of the subject.
To form the passive voice, the verb "be" is conjugated in the appropriate tense and followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example:
Present simple: The cake is eaten by the dog.
Past simple: The cake was eaten by the dog.
Future simple: The cake will be eaten by the dog.
It's also possible to use the passive voice with continuous tenses by using the appropriate form of "be" and the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb. For example:
Present continuous: The cake is being eaten by the dog.
Past continuous: The cake was being eaten by the dog.
Future continuous: The cake will be eaten by the dog
In English, the active voice is used to describe a situation where the subject of a sentence performs the action expressed by the verb. In the active voice, the subject is the one doing the action.
For example:
The cat chased the mouse. (active voice)
In the sentence above, the subject is "the cat" and the verb is "chased." The subject is performing the action of chasing the mouse.
In contrast, the passive voice is used to describe a situation where the subject of a sentence receives the action expressed by the verb. In the passive voice, the subject is not the one doing the action, but rather the action is being done to the subject.
For example:
The mouse was chased by the cat. (passive voice)
In the sentence above, the subject is "the mouse" and the verb is "was chased." The subject is not performing the action of being chased; rather, the action of being chased is being done to the subject.
To form the passive voice, we use the auxiliary verb "be" and the past participle of the main verb. For example:
Active: The teacher graded the exams.
Passive: The exams were graded by the teacher.
The passive voice is often used when the focus of a sentence is on the object or recipient of the action, rather than the subject or performer of the action. It can also be used to make a sentence more formal or to avoid specifying the performer of the action.
Examples:
Active: The chef cooked the meal.
Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef.
Active: The artist painted the portrait.
Passive: The portrait was painted by the artist.
It is important to note that the passive voice can make a sentence longer and less direct than the active voice, and it is generally considered more formal. In most cases, it is more clear and concise to use the active voice
In English, the active voice is used to describe an action that is performed by the subject of the sentence. The subject is the one doing the action.
Examples:
The cat chased the mouse. (active voice)
She cooked dinner. (active voice)
He answered the phone. (active voice)
In the active voice, the subject comes before the verb and the object comes after the verb.
The passive voice is used to describe an action that is being done to the subject of the sentence. The subject is not the one performing the action.
Examples:
The mouse was chased by the cat. (passive voice)
Dinner was cooked by her. (passive voice)
The phone was answered by him. (passive voice)
In the passive voice, the subject comes after the verb "be" and the object comes before the verb.
The passive voice is often used when the focus is on the action or the object rather than the subject performing the action. It is also used to make the subject less important or unknown.
Examples:
The museum was built in the 19th century. (The focus is on the museum, not the builder.)
The cake was eaten by everyone. (The focus is on the cake, not the person who ate it.)
The crime was committed by an unknown perpetrator. (The focus is on the crime, not the person who committed it.)
It is important to note that not all verbs can be used in the passive voice. Some verbs, such as "think" and "feel," do not have a passive form.
Examples:
Active: She thinks the book is interesting.
Passive: *The book is thought to be interesting by her. (incorrect