Grammar Rules Questions Medium
Active and passive voice are two different ways of constructing sentences in English. The concept of active voice refers to a sentence structure where the subject of the sentence performs the action, while the concept of passive voice refers to a sentence structure where the subject receives the action.
In active voice, the subject is the doer of the action, and the verb directly connects the subject to the object. For example, in the sentence "John ate the apple," John is the subject who performs the action of eating, and the apple is the object that receives the action.
On the other hand, in passive voice, the subject is the receiver of the action, and the verb connects the object to the subject. The sentence structure is usually formed by using a form of the verb "to be" followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, in the sentence "The apple was eaten by John," the apple is the subject that receives the action of being eaten, and John is the object who performs the action.
The choice between active and passive voice depends on the emphasis we want to give to the subject or object of the sentence. Active voice is generally preferred as it is more direct, concise, and places emphasis on the subject. Passive voice is used when the focus is on the object or when the subject is unknown or unimportant.
It is important to note that using active or passive voice can affect the clarity and effectiveness of communication. Therefore, understanding and correctly using active and passive voice is essential in maintaining proper grammar and conveying information accurately.