#ACTIVE V PASSIVE VOICE DRIVER#
#ACTIVE V PASSIVE VOICE TV#

Keep reading to find out when to use active voice and when to use passive voice –and, even more importantly, why. However, the “don’t use passive voice ever!” rule is also misleading, since there are times that it is appropriate.

In most writing, you’ll want to use active verbs because they are more energetic and specific. The second sentence tells you right away who discouraged the passive sentences, which helps the reader immediately understand what the sentence is about. While the first sentence doesn’t break any rules, its meaning is more vague-you have to read to the very end of the sentence before you know who discouraged the passive sentences. In general, teachers recommend avoiding “to be” verbs and using more specific verbs because this makes writing more active and more concise.

Active: The teacher discouraged passive sentences.īoth sentences say the same thing, right? So why do teachers forbid the passive voice?.

Passive: Passive sentences were discouraged by the teacher.

Here’s an example of two sentences that say the same thing but in passive versus active voice: Grammatically, “passive sentences” are sentences that use forms of “to be” as their main verb –things like be, am, is, are, was, were, being, and been. Passive voice: What’s the difference? What should I use? And why does it matter?” American Journal Experts, of us have heard the order from teachers: “Make your sentences active!,” they say, or “Don’t use the passive voice!” But what exactly is the passive voice? What does that even mean? “Avoid This Common Passive Voice Mistake!” Quick and Dirty Tips, 14 November 2013, “Passive Voice.” Education First, “Use the Active Voice.” University of Wisconsin-Madison, “What is Active Voice?” Grammar Monster, “What is Passive Voice?” Grammar Monster, Wolfson, Mariel.

Active / Passive Voice from attanatta Flickr,, 29 March 2017, Fogarty, Mignon. “Active and Passive Voice” YouTube, uploaded by UBC Science Writing, 10 November 2013, Fig. Matthew Maheras, Framingham State U, Class of 2022 Works Cited Julia Fitzgerald, Framingham State U, Class of 2022ĭerrick Gutierrez, Framingham State U, Class of 2021

#ACTIVE V PASSIVE VOICE DRIVER#

Incorrect (passive): The race car driver was given instructions by his crew chief while he was switching lanes back and forth trying to win the race.Ĭorrect (active): The crew chief gave the race car driver instructions while he was driving.Įxplanation: The sentence in a passive voice buries the action.Ĭaitlyn Davis, Framingham State U, Class of 2022

#ACTIVE V PASSIVE VOICE TV#

Incorrect (passive): On Tuesday, the weather was being given on TV by chipper meteorologist Cindy Smith who was being a fill in for John Holly who was sick.Ĭorrect (active): On Tuesday, meteorologist Cindy Smith filled in for John Holly, who was sick.Įxplanation: The subject in this sentence is unclear and the sentence as a whole is unnecessarily long. A long, effective speech in honor of the inauguration of the president was given by Barack Obama because he was the president.Ĭorrect (active): In 2008, Barack Obama gave his inaugural speech after being elected and sworn in as president.Įxplanation: This passage would be stronger using an active voice rather than a passive voice because the subject and the action are hidden. In the second sentence, the speech was introduced first, but the subject came so late that the writer felt the need to repeat it for clarity.

Incorrect (passive): In 2008, a new president was elected and sworn in.

Active v passive voice