Here's a breakdown:
Active Voice: The subject of the sentence performs the action.
* Example: The cat chased the mouse.
Passive Voice: The action is emphasized, and the actor is either de-emphasized or left out completely.
* Example: The mouse was chased by the cat. (actor is mentioned)
* Example: The mouse was chased (actor is not mentioned)
Characteristics of Passive Tone:
* Focuses on the action: This can be useful when the action itself is more important than who performed it.
* Can sound impersonal: It can make your writing feel distant and less engaging.
* Can be indirect: It can avoid assigning responsibility or blame.
When to use Passive Tone:
* When the actor is unknown or unimportant: For example, "The window was broken."
* When you want to emphasize the object of the action: For example, "The report was completed on time."
* When you want to avoid assigning blame: For example, "Mistakes were made."
When to avoid Passive Tone:
* When you want to make your writing more direct and engaging.
* When you want to clearly assign responsibility.
* When your writing is intended to be persuasive or forceful.
In general, it's best to use active voice as the primary style in your writing. However, passive voice can be used strategically to achieve specific effects.