Grammar Handbook: Active and Passive Voice

The Center for Writing Studies, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The voice of a verb tells whether the subject of the sentence performs or receives the action. In English there are two voices: active and passive.

Forming Tenses of Passive Verbs
Uses of Passive Voice
Active and Passive Voice in Writing
Hints for Identifying the Passive Voice

:: Active Voice
In active voice, the subject performs the action expressed by the verb:

The student wrote a song.

:: Passive Voice
In passive voice, the subject receives the action expressed by the verb:

A song was written by the student.
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:: Forming Tenses of Passive Verbs
The passive voice always consists of two parts: a form of the verb "to be" + past participle:

Tense	Passive voice form
Present	it is cleaned
Past	it was cleaned
Future	it will be cleaned
Present perfect	it has been cleaned
Past perfect	it had been cleaned
Future perfect	it will have been cleaned

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:: Uses of Passive Voice
Use the passive voice to:

: Call attention to receiver of the action rather than the performer:

The professor was hit by three snowballs.

: Point out the receiver of the action when performer is unknown or unimportant:

A love letter was slipped under the door.
The signs will be posted.

: Avoid calling attention to the performer of the action (known as the "institutional passive"):

The fines will be collected on Monday.
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:: Active and Passive Voice in Writing
The choice between using the active or passive voice in writing is a matter of style, not correctness. However, most handbooks recommend using active voice, which they describe as more natural, direct, lively, and succinct. The passive voice is considered wordy and weak (except when used in cases above). Examine the following examples.

weak, passive: The skater was slammed into the wall by Maria.

strong, active: Maria slammed the skater into the wall.

weak, passive: The book was enjoyed by me because the events of her childhood were described so well by the author.

strong, active: I enjoyed the book because the author described the events of her childhood so well.

:: Hints for Identifying the Passive Voice
: An active verb may or may not have a direct object, but the passive verb almost never does.

"It is...That" construction (It is clear that... It is noted...)

: Use of the verbs To Be, Make, or Have

Passive: Your exits should be made quickly.
Active: Leave quickly.

: Endings that turn verbs into abstract nouns: -ion,-ing,-ment:

Passive: When application of force is used, the lid will open.
Active: Apply force to open the lid.
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