We often hear that sentences written in active voice are clearer and more effective than sentences written in passive voice. But does that mean we should always avoid passive voice? Let's start by looking at the meaning of the terms active voice and passive voice.

What is active voice?

When a sentence is in active voice, the subject does (or did or will do) the action expressed in the verb:

The joggers train together every Saturday.
[The joggers do the training.]

Taylor went skydiving for his birthday.
[Taylor did the skydiving.]

Maneesha will perform her first solo next week.
[Maneesha will do the performing.]

Sometimes a verb has a direct object, which is the direct receiver of the action expressed in the verb. Ask what? or whom? after the verb to find the direct object:

Maneesha will perform her first solo next week.
[Maneesha will perform what? Her first solo.]

Yvon will drive her home after dinner.
[Yvon will drive whom? Her.]

In an active voice sentence, then, the subject is the doer of the action, and the direct object (if any) is the receiver of the action.

What is passive voice?

In passive voice, however, the subject does not do the action expressed in the verb:

The apple was eaten by Sarah.
[The apple did not do the eating.]

The party was planned in great detail.
[The party did not do the planning.]

The sculpture was completed in time for the ceremony.
[The sculpture did not do the completing.]

In these passive sentences, the subjects apple, party and sculpture are not doing the action—they are receiving the action.

The difference between active and passive voice is simply this, then: in active voice, the subject is the doer of the action, while in passive voice, the subject is the receiver of the action.

Why is active voice better?

Active voice is clearer and more direct, because it puts the doer of the action first and follows a logical order:

doer of action + action + receiver of action (if any)

Also, an active voice sentence is always shorter than the same sentence in passive voice. And of course, active voice is active—so it makes our writing more dynamic and energetic. For these reasons, it is usually better to write in active voice—and to rewrite any passive voice sentences to make them active.

Do I need to avoid passive voice entirely?

No, passive voice makes good sense in the following situations:

• when the doer of the action is unknown:

  The lights were left on.
  [You don't know who left them on.]

• when the doer of the action is less important than the receiver:

  The package was delivered this morning.
  [It doesn't matter who brought it.]

• when the doer of the action is someone you don't want to name:

  I was given the wrong directions.
  [You don't want to blame anyone in particular.]

If you write most of your sentences in active voice and use passive voice only when one of these three situations applies, your writing will be clearer, more concise and more effective.

Try our quiz at: Active and Passive Voice.