1. Active Voice:
* Subject performs the action. The subject is the actor.
* Example: "The dog chased the cat." (The dog is the subject and performs the action of chasing.)
2. Passive Voice:
* Subject receives the action. The subject is acted upon.
* Example: "The cat was chased by the dog." (The cat is the subject and is being acted upon by the dog.)
Key Differences:
* Focus: Active voice emphasizes the actor, while passive voice emphasizes the action and/or the object being acted upon.
* Clarity: Active voice is generally more direct and concise.
* Emphasis: Passive voice can be used to emphasize the object or to de-emphasize the actor.
When to Use Each Voice:
* Active voice: Use when the actor is important, the sentence needs clarity, or you want to be direct and concise.
* Passive voice: Use when the actor is unknown or unimportant, you want to focus on the action or object, or you want to be more formal or impersonal.
Other Points:
* Transitive verbs: Verbs that take a direct object can be used in both active and passive voice.
* Intransitive verbs: Verbs that do not take a direct object are typically only used in the active voice.
* Passive voice is formed with: "be" + past participle of the verb (e.g., "was chased", "is being built").
Example:
* Active: "The painter painted the mural." (Focus on the painter)
* Passive: "The mural was painted by the painter." (Focus on the mural)
Understanding the different voices of verbs helps you write more effective and impactful sentences.