What Is the Difference Between Active and Passive Voice?

Understanding the difference between active and passive voice is essential for writing clear, effective English. Each has its purpose, but choosing the correct voice depends on what you want to emphasize: the doer (subject) or the action/result (object).

Explanation:

• Active Voice:
  In active voice, the subject performs the action.
  Structure: Subject + Verb + Object

• Passive Voice:
  In passive voice, the subject receives the action.
  Structure: Object + “to be” (in the correct tense) + Past Participle (+ by + Agent)

The active voice is generally more direct and lively, while the passive voice is often used when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or to place emphasis on the result rather than the action.

Examples:

Active Voice:

The chef cooked the meal.

The team completed the project.

Passive Voice:

The meal was cooked (by the chef).

The project was completed (by the team).

Common Mistakes With Corrections and Explanations

❌ Mistake 1: Using Passive Instead of Active Without Purpose

• Incorrect: The book was read by me last night.

• Better (Active): I read the book last night.

• Explanation: Active voice is usually more concise and clearer, especially in everyday communication.

❌ Mistake 2: Incorrect Verb Tense in Passive

• Incorrect: The homework is did by John.

• Correct: The homework is done by John.

• Explanation: The past participle "done" should follow "is" (not "did").

❌ Mistake 3: Changing Meaning While Switching Voices

• Incorrect: She was invited the party.

• Correct: She was invited to the party.

• Explanation: Prepositions often change in passive form; always double-check the full construction.

❌ Mistake 4: Unnecessary Passive Use

• Incorrect: The car was driven by her every day.

• Better (Active): She drove the car every day.

• Explanation: Unless there's a reason to emphasize the car, the active form is clearer.

4 Exercises to Practice Active vs. Passive Voice

✔ Exercise 1: Convert Active to Passive

1. The police caught the thief.

2. The teacher gives us homework.

3. She will bake a cake.

4. They painted the house last week.

✔ Exercise 2: Convert Passive to Active

1. The letter was written by Tom.

2. The song was sung by the choir.

3. The laptop was repaired by the technician.

4. The movie will be released tomorrow.

✔ Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Voice

1. (a) The manager approved the request.
   (b) The request was approved by the manager.

2. (a) Mistakes were made.
   (b) Someone made mistakes.

3. (a) A cake was baked by Sarah.
   (b) Sarah baked a cake.

4. (a) The results will be posted on Monday.
   (b) They will post the results on Monday.

✔ Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks with Passive Voice

1. The book ___ (write) by J.K. Rowling.

2. The documents ___ (send) yesterday.

3. The window ___ (break) by the ball.

4. The room ___ (clean) every day.