Here's a breakdown:
Active Voice:
* Subject performs the action.
* The sentence emphasizes the actor.
* Follows the structure: Subject + Verb + Object
Example:
* The dog chased the cat. (The dog is performing the action of chasing.)
Passive Voice:
* Subject receives the action.
* The sentence focuses on the object of the action.
* Follows the structure: Object + Verb (to be) + Past Participle + (by + agent)
Example:
* The cat was chased by the dog. (The cat is receiving the action of being chased.)
Key Differences:
| Feature | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Performs the action | Receives the action |
| Emphasis | Actor | Object |
| Structure | Subject + Verb + Object | Object + Verb (to be) + Past Participle + (by + agent) |
Why Use Each Voice?
* Active voice is usually preferred because it's clearer, more concise, and more direct.
* Passive voice is useful when:
* The actor is unknown or unimportant.
* You want to emphasize the object of the action.
* You want to create a more formal or objective tone.
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:
Active: The chef baked the cake.
Passive: The cake was baked by the chef.
Active: The team won the game.
Passive: The game was won by the team.
Active: The artist painted the portrait.
Passive: The portrait was painted by the artist.