In a passive-voice sentence, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb.

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Summary:

This handout will explain the difference between active and passive voice in writing. It gives examples of both, and shows how to turn a passive sentence into an active one. Also, it explains how to decide when to choose passive voice instead of active.

In a sentence using passive voice, the subject is acted upon; he or she receives the action expressed by the verb. The agent performing the action may appear in a "by the..." phrase or may be omitted.

The dog is acting upon the sentence subject (the boy), meaning it uses the passive voice.

This example sentence includes the passive voice because the subject (research) is being acted upon (presented) by another person (Pooja).

This is an example of the passive voice.

The subject of the passive voice sentence performs the action expressed in the verb in this example.

Reasons to Avoid Passive Voice

Sometimes the use of passive voice can create awkward sentences, as in the last example above. Also, overuse of passive voice throughout an essay can cause your prose to seem flat and uninteresting. In scientific writing, however, passive voice is more readily accepted since using it allows one to write without using personal pronouns or the names of particular researchers as the subjects of sentences (see the third example above). This practice helps to create the appearance of an objective, fact-based discourse because writers can present research and conclusions without attributing them to particular agents. Instead, the writing appears to convey information that is not limited or biased by individual perspectives or personal interests.

Recognizing Passive Voice

You can recognize passive-voice expressions because the verb phrase will always include a form of be, such as am, is, was, were, are, or been. The presence of a be-verb, however, does not necessarily mean that the sentence is in passive voice. Another way to recognize passive-voice sentences is that they may include a "by the..." phrase after the verb; the agent performing the action, if named, is the object of the preposition in this phrase.

Helpful Hint

You can recognize passive voice because the verb phrase will include a form of be (was, am, are, been, is). Don't assume that just because there is a form of 'be' that the sentence is passive, however. Sometimes a prepositional phrase like "by the" in the sentences above indicates that the action is performed on the subject, and that the sentence is passive.

What are they?

Active Voice: The subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb.

Passive Voice: An action is performed upon the subject of the sentence.

Examples

Active Voice:

1. Barbara bought eggs at the store.
2. Julie won an award.
3. The professor offered the students extra credit on the test.

Passive Voice:

1. Eggs were bought by Barbara at the store.
2. An award was won by Julie.
3. Extra credit was offered on the test.

When to use active voice

1. Use active voice in most academic writing (in most essays).
2. Use active voice when you want to be clear.
   Example: They told stories. (As opposed to the passive: Stories were told).
3. When you want to be concise.
   Example: Michela runs cross country. (As opposed to the passive: Cross country is run by Michela.)

Using active voice helps provide clarity in writing and cuts back on wordiness, which is particularly important when the sentence is already lengthy.

When to use passive voice

1. When you want to put emphasis on the action. This is especially true when writing in the sciences.
   Example: The petri dish was sterilized.
2. When you want the subject and the focus to be consistent.
   Example: The tutors were in the midst of an intense debate over Pepsi or Coke. The debate was finally settled by Aja.
3. When you are strategically avoiding the subject.
   Example: The students were accidently misinformed.
4. When you want to create an authoritative tone.
   Example: Students are required to have meal plans.

Practice: Should active or passive voice be used? Why?

1. You are telling someone about the dog liking walks.
   Active: The dog enjoys walks.
   Passive: Walks are enjoyed by the dog.
2. You are telling someone about John being rescued by a lifeguard.
   Active: The lifeguard rescued John.
   Passive: John was rescued by a lifeguard.
3. You are telling someone about a mistake that was made on a group project.

   Active: Sarah made a mistake on the group project.
   Passive: A mistake was made on the group project.

4. You are writing a thesis statement about why everyone should adopt pets from animal shelters.

   Active: Everyone should adopt pets from animal shelters because it will save money and reduce overcrowding in shelters.
   Passive: Pets should be adopted from animal shelters by everyone because it will save money and reduce overcrowding in the shelters.

Answer Key:

1. Active is better in this instance because it is more clear and concise.
2. Active is better in this instance if the lifeguard is more important than John.
   Passive is better in this instance if John’s rescue is more important than the lifeguard.
3. Active is better in this instance if it is necessary to know who made the mistake.

Passive is better in this instance if you want to strategically avoid the subject, Sarah.

4. Active voice is better in this instance because it is academic writing, and it is more clear and concise than the passive voice.