Active Sentences
* Subject performs the action: The subject of the sentence is the one doing the verb.
* Focus on the actor: Active sentences emphasize who or what is performing the action.
Example:
* The dog chased the ball. (The dog is the subject, and it's doing the chasing.)
Passive Sentences
* Object receives the action: The subject of the sentence is the one being acted upon.
* Focus on the action or the receiver: Passive sentences emphasize the action or what is being acted upon, often de-emphasizing who did the action.
Example:
* The ball was chased by the dog. (The ball is the subject, and it's being chased.)
Key Differences
* Word order: Active sentences usually follow the pattern of subject-verb-object, while passive sentences often have the pattern of object-verb-by + subject.
* Emphasis: Active sentences focus on the actor, while passive sentences focus on the action or the receiver of the action.
* Clarity: Active sentences are often clearer and more direct than passive sentences.
When to Use Passive Sentences
* When the actor is unknown or unimportant: "The car was stolen."
* When you want to emphasize the action or the receiver: "The prize was awarded to the student."
* When you want to be more formal or impersonal: "The meeting has been postponed."
Example Table
| Sentence Type | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Active | The chef prepared the meal. | The chef (subject) performs the action (prepared). |
| Passive | The meal was prepared by the chef. | The meal (subject) receives the action (prepared). |
| Active | The team won the game. | The team (subject) performs the action (won). |
| Passive | The game was won by the team. | The game (subject) receives the action (won). |
Remember: Active sentences are generally preferred because they are clearer and more concise. However, passive sentences can be useful in specific situations.