When learning how to write proper English using accurate grammar, one skill to learn is the difference between active voice vs passive voice. Grammatically speaking, the diathesis (or voice) of a sentence describes a relationship between the action and the subject. The voice can either take the active voice position or the passive voice position. Sometimes, writers get confused in identifying active voice vs passive voice or knowing when either one should be used. Here we will discuss each one with many examples.

Active Voice vs Passive Voice: What Are They?

1

Active Voice

In a sentence with active voice, the subject engages in a direct action toward an object. Take the following example: “Bob lies to others.” Here, Bob is the subject and his direct action is lying. “Others” serves as the object of the action.

2

Passive Voice

In a sentence with passive voice, the object takes the place of the subject. Using the above example, we can make it passive voice: “others are lied to by Bob.” Here, “others” has become the subject and been recipient of the direct action. The focus of the sentence has changed from Bob to “others.”

Active Voice vs Passive Voice: When to Use Them

1

Active Voice

Active voice should be used in order to make the writing as strong and clear as possible. This is because the active voice clearly shows that who is doing the direct action. Sometimes, writers think they are using the active voice, but instead they are using a form of passive voice, called “cut passive” where the subject is not explicitly identified.

Active voice example: The government agency [subject] introduced [action] new rules [object] to prevent consumer fraud.

Cut passive example: New rules [object] were introduced [action] to prevent consumer fraud. (The subject in this sentence is not sure.)

2

Passive Voice

Passive voice may be appropriate in two situations. First, the doer of the action (or subject) is unknown. Second, the doer of the action (or subject) is not important or as important as other elements of the sentence. For example:

Doer of the action is unknown: The store was severely damaged.

Doer of the action is not important: Consumers are now protected by newly drafted consumer protection laws.

Active Voice vs Passive Voice: Examples in Different Tenses

1

Simple Present

Example 1 (active): Margaret rakes the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard is raked by Margaret.

2

Present Continuous

Example 1 (active): Margaret is raking the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard is being raked by Margaret.

3

Simple Past

Example 1 (active): Margaret raked the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard was raked by Margaret.

4

Past Continuous

Example 1 (active): Margaret was raking the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard was being raked by Margaret.

5

Present Perfect

Example 1 (active): Many people have raked the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard has been raked by many people.

6

Present Perfect Continuous

Example 1 (active): Margaret has been raking the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard has been being raked by Margaret.

7

Past Perfect

Example 1 (active): Margaret had raked the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard had been raked by Margaret.

8

Past Perfect Continuous

Example 1 (active): Margaret had been raking the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard had been being raked by Margaret.

9

Simple Future

Example 1 (active): Margaret will rake the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard will be raked by Margaret.

10

Future Continuous

Example 1 (active): Margaret will be raking the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard will be being raked by Margaret.

11

Future Perfect

Example 1 (active): Margaret will have raked the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard will have been raked by Margaret.

12

Future in the Past

Example 1 (active): Margaret would rake the yard by the end of the day.

Example 2 (passive): The yard was going to be raked by Margaret by the end of the day.

13

“Used To”

Example 1 (active): Margaret used to rake the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard used to be raked by Margaret.

14

“Would Always”

Example 1 (active): Margaret would always rake the yard.

Example 2 (passive): The yard would always be raked by Margaret.

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