Active vs Passive Voice: How to change Rules, Difference

In grammar, voice refers to how a sentence shows the relationship between the action (the verb) and the participants (subject and object). Understanding the difference between active and passive voice helps writers choose what to emphasize—either the one doing the action or the one receiving it. Choosing the right voice improves clarity and makes writing more direct and effective.

What Is Voice in English Grammar?

Definition of Voice

Voice (also called diathesis) describes whether the subject of a sentence is doing the action or receiving it.
Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Subject – the doer of the action
  
• Verb – the action itself
  
• Object – the receiver of the action
  

Example:
The cat ate the mouse.

• Subject: the cat (doer)
  
• Verb: ate (action)
  
• Object: the mouse (receiver)

What Is Active Voice?

In active voice, the subject performs the action. The sentence structure is:

Subject + Verb + Object

This voice is direct, clear, and commonly used in English.

Examples:

• The dog chases the ball.
  
• Amit plays football.
  
• The scientist discovered a new element.

What Is Passive Voice?

In passive voice, the subject receives the action. The sentence structure is:

Object (now the subject) + form of “to be” + past participle + (by + doer)

The focus shifts to the receiver of the action. The doer may be included with “by” or left out if it’s unknown or unimportant.

Examples:

• The ball is chased by the dog.
  
• Football is played by Amit.
  
• A new element was discovered by the scientist.
  
• The mouse was eaten by the cat.
  

In passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject, while the original subject is optional and introduced with “by.”

Active vs. Passive Voice: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between active and passive voice is essential for writing that’s clear, effective, and well-structured. Here’s a breakdown of how they differ in structure and function.

Key Structural Differences

• Active Voice:

Subject + Verb + Object

Example: “The dog chased the ball.”

• Passive Voice:

Object (as subject) + form of “to be” + past participle + (by + original subject)

Example: “The ball was chased by the dog.”

Functional Differences in Tone, Clarity, and Focus

Summary of Functional Differences

Active Voice:

• Clear and direct
  
• Focuses on who is doing the action
  
• Easier to read and understand
  
• More concise and dynamic
  

Passive Voice:

• Focuses on the result or receiver of the action
  
• Useful when the doer is unknown or irrelevant
  
• Creates a more formal or neutral tone
  
• Helpful for emphasizing the action rather than the actor

When to Use Active vs. Passive Voice

Should You Use Active or Passive Voice?

Use active voice in most writing for better clarity and engagement.

Use passive voice when:

• The doer is unknown or unimportant
  
• You want to emphasize the action or result
  
• Formality, tact, or objectivity is needed

Advantages of Active Voice

• Clear and straightforward
  
• Shorter, more concise sentences
  
• Stronger, more engaging tone
  
• Easier for readers to follow

Advantages of Passive Voice

• Shifts focus to the action or result
  
• Maintains consistency in subject focus
  
• Ideal when the actor is unknown or less relevant
  
• More tactful or neutral in tone
  
• Suitable for formal or academic writing

In short:

Use active voice for direct, powerful communication.

Use passive voice when the focus should be on the action or when the actor is less important. The right choice depends on your purpose and audience.

How to Change Passive Voice to Active Voice

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Identify the verb and receiver
   Find the main verb (usually a form of “to be” + past participle) and determine the subject receiving the action.
   
2. Find the original doer
   Look for a “by…” phrase to identify who performed the action. If it’s missing, infer or supply the doer.
   
3. Rebuild the sentence
   Make the doer the subject, use the correct verb form, and shift the receiver to the object position.
   
4. Check tense and agreement
   Ensure the verb tense matches the original and the subject-verb agreement is correct.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Forgetting to include the doer (if known)
  
• Using the wrong verb tense
  
• Omitting key information

Examples:

• Passive: The cake was baked by Maria.

Active: Maria baked the cake.

• Passive: The report was completed yesterday.

Active: Someone (or “We/They”) completed the report yesterday.

• Passive: The car is being washed by Tom.

Active: Tom is washing the car.

How to Change Active Voice to Passive Voice

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Move the object to the subject position
   The object in the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence.
   
2. Use the correct “to be” + past participle form
   Match the verb tense and keep proper subject-verb agreement.
   
3. (Optional) Add the actor
   Use “by + doer” if it’s important to include who performed the action.
   
4. Review for clarity
   Ensure the sentence is complete and grammatically correct.

Examples:

• Active: Maria baked the cake.
  Passive: The cake was baked by Maria.
  
• Active: The company will announce the results.
  Passive: The results will be announced by the company.
  
• Active: People speak English all over the world.
  Passive: English is spoken all over the world.
  (The doer “by people” is usually omitted as it’s implied.)

Summary Table

Final Tips

• The “by…” phrase in passive voice is optional—use it only when the doer adds value.
  
• Always match verb tense and ensure proper subject-verb agreement.
  
• Use passive voice purposefully—to emphasize the action, maintain flow, or shift focus.

Active and Passive Voice Examples

Everyday Sentence Examples

Examples by Tense

Real-World Usage

• News Headlines

Active: Police arrest suspect in robbery.

Passive: Suspect arrested in robbery.

• Academic Writing

Active: Researchers conducted the experiment.

Passive: The experiment was conducted by researchers.

• Workplace Communication

Active: We will review your application.

Passive: Your application will be reviewed.

• Rules and Notices

Passive: Shoes should be removed before entering.

Passive: Pupils are not allowed in the dining hall after 1:45 p.m.

When to Use Passive Voice

Passive voice is appropriate when:

• The doer is unknown or irrelevant

Example: The window was broken.

• Focusing on the process or result

Example: The solution was heated to 100°C.

• Creating a formal, neutral tone

Example: Mistakes were made.

• Being tactful or avoiding blame

Example: The deadline was missed.

• Maintaining focus within a paragraph

Example: The castle was built in 1066.

Summary

Active voice is clear, direct, and engaging.

Passive voice is useful when the doer is unknown, less important, or when you want to focus on the action or result.

Both are essential tools for effective communication.

Improving Writing Style with Voice

Why Use Active Voice?

Active voice strengthens your writing by clearly showing who is doing what. It improves clarity and keeps readers engaged.

How to Fix Passive-Heavy Writing

• Identify passive constructions: Look for verbs like was completed, is managed, were made.
  
• Make the subject active: Place the doer first and use a strong verb.

Example

Passive: The proposal was approved by the board.

Active: The board approved the proposal.

Writing More Concise Sentences

• Cut unnecessary words: Passive voice often adds extra words.
  
• Use strong verbs and clear subjects.

Example

Passive: The final decision was made after lengthy discussions by the team.

Active: The team made the final decision after lengthy discussions.

Using Transitions for Better Flow

Connect ideas with words like then, however, as a result, for example, meanwhile.

Example

Passive, disjointed:

The project was started last year. The deadline was extended. The results were presented at the conference.

Active, cohesive:

The team started the project last year. However, they extended the deadline to allow for more research. As a result, they presented impressive results at the conference.

Key Tips

• Use active voice for clarity and energy.
  
• Keep sentences concise with strong subjects and verbs.
  
• Connect ideas with transitions for smooth reading.
  

By mastering voice and flow, your writing will be more professional, impactful, and easier to follow.

Active vs. Passive Voice: FAQs

What’s the difference between active and passive voice?

Active Voice

• The subject does the action.
  
• Structure: Subject + Verb + Object
  
• Example: The chef cooked dinner.
  

Passive Voice

• The subject receives the action.
  
• Structure: Object (now subject) + form of to be + past participle (+ by + doer)
  
• Example: Dinner was cooked by the chef.

When should you use active vs. passive voice?

Use Active Voice When:

• You want clear, direct, and engaging writing
  
• The doer of the action is important
  
• Writing in business, everyday, or academic contexts
  

Use Passive Voice When:

• The doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious
  
• Emphasizing the action or result
  
• Writing in scientific, technical, or formal styles
  
• Avoiding blame or being tactful

How do you change passive voice to active voice?

1. Identify the verb and the receiver (subject).
   
2. Find the doer (usually in a “by…” phrase).
   
3. Make the doer the subject.
   
4. Use the correct verb tense.
   
5. Place the receiver as the object.

Example

• Passive: The letter was written by Sam.
  
• Active: Sam wrote the letter.

How do you change active voice to passive voice?

1. Move the object to the subject position.
   
2. Use the correct form of to be + past participle.
   
3. Add the doer with by (optional).
   
4. Maintain correct verb tense.
   

Example

• Active: The teacher explains the lesson.
  
• Passive: The lesson is explained by the teacher.

Practice Activities (Optional Add-On)

• Sentence Transformation: Convert sentences between active and passive voice.
  
• Voice Identification: Label sentences as active or passive.
  
• Paragraph Rewriting: Revise passive-heavy paragraphs using more active voice.
  
• Peer Review: Exchange writing and edit for effective voice use.

Conclusion

Key Takeaways:

• Active voice is usually clearer and more engaging.
  
• Passive voice is useful when focusing on the action or when the doer isn’t important.
  
• Use active voice by default, but choose passive voice strategically.

Final Tip:

Choose the voice that best fits your purpose, audience, and message. Skilled writers use both voices thoughtfully to create strong, flexible communication.

Mangesh Belekar

Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.