When it comes to writing, understanding the difference between active voice and passive voice can greatly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your communication. Active voice is often preferred in writing as it is more direct, concise, and engaging. On the other hand, passive voice can be useful in certain situations, but it can make your writing less clear and engaging.
Let’s delve into some examples of active voice vs passive voice to better understand how they differ and when to use each.
Examples of Active Voice vs Passive Voice
1. Active Voice: The teacher graded the students’ papers.
Passive Voice: The students’ papers were graded by the teacher.
In the active voice example, the subject (teacher) performs the action (graded), making the sentence more straightforward and engaging. In the passive voice example, the subject (papers) receives the action, making the sentence less clear and dynamic.
2. Active Voice: The company launched a new product last week.
Passive Voice: A new product was launched by the company last week.
In this example, the active voice conveys a sense of action and responsibility, whereas the passive voice shifts the focus to the product being launched rather than the company taking the initiative.
3. Active Voice: The team won the championship trophy.
Passive Voice: The championship trophy was won by the team.
Using active voice in this example highlights the accomplishment of the team, whereas passive voice diminishes the impact of the victory by placing the focus on the trophy.
4. Active Voice: The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.
Passive Voice: A delicious meal was prepared for the guests by the chef.
Active voice in this example emphasizes the chef’s role in preparing the meal, while passive voice shifts the focus to the meal being prepared rather than the chef’s actions.
Overall, using active voice in your writing can help make your sentences clearer, more engaging, and more direct. However, there may be instances where passive voice is appropriate, such as when the focus should be on the receiver of the action rather than the doer. By understanding the differences between active voice and passive voice examples, you can improve the overall effectiveness of your writing.