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What is an Active voice with Examples

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Anticipating a succinct definition of active voice along with examples? In this post, I will provide you with a comprehensive guide to active voice.

Active voice is a grammatical structure in which the subject performs the action described by the verb. Here are some additional examples of sentences in active voice:

Active voice with Examples

  1. The chef prepared a delicious meal. (The subject “chef” is performing the action of “preparing.”)
  2. The dog chased the cat. (The subject “dog” is performing the action of “chasing.”)
  3. The artist painted a beautiful landscape. (The subject “artist” is performing the action of “painting.”)
  4. The student solved the math problem. (The subject “student” is performing the action of “solving.”)
  5. The singer sang a melodious song. (The subject “singer” is performing the action of “singing.”)
  6. The gardener planted flowers in the garden. (The subject “gardener” is performing the action of “planting.”)
  7. The doctor treated the patient’s illness. (The subject “doctor” is performing the action of “treating.”)
  8. The firefighter rescued the cat from the tree. (The subject “firefighter” is performing the action of “rescuing.”)
  9. The writer wrote an inspiring novel. (The subject “writer” is performing the action of “writing.”)
  10. The athlete broke the world record. (The subject “athlete” is performing the action of “breaking.”)
  11. The mechanic repaired the broken car engine. (The subject “mechanic” is performing the action of “repairing.”)
  12. The teacher explained the lesson to the students. (The subject “teacher” is performing the action of “explaining.”)
  13. The architect designed the new skyscraper. (The subject “architect” is performing the action of “designing.”)
  14. The actor performed a brilliant monologue on stage. (The subject “actor” is performing the action of “performing.”)
  15. The scientist discovered a new species of plant. (The subject “scientist” is performing the action of “discovering.”)

What is an active voice?

Active voice is a grammatical structure where the subject executes the action described by the verb. In such sentences, the subject is the doer of the action, actively engaging in it. Typically, the subject precedes the verb, and if present, the direct object follows the verb. Here are examples illustrating active voice:

Active voice is a grammatical structure where the subject executes the action described by the verb. In such sentences, the subject is the doer of the action, actively engaging in it. Typically, the subject precedes t

  • The chef prepared a delicious meal. (The subject “chef” is performing the action of “preparing.”)
  • The gardener planted flowers in the garden. (The subject “gardener” is performing the action of “planting.”)
  • The student completed the assignment on time. (The subject “student” is performing the action of “completing.”)
  • The artist created a stunning masterpiece. (The subject “artist” is performing the action of “creating.”)
  • The scientist conducted experiments in the laboratory. (The subject “scientist” is performing the action of “conducting.”)
  • The firefighter rescued the trapped kitten from the tree. (The subject “firefighter” is performing the action of “rescuing.”)
  • The musician played a melodious tune on the piano. (The subject “musician” is performing the action of “playing.”)
  • The athlete broke the world record in the race. (The subject “athlete” is performing the action of “breaking.”)
  • The teacher explained the concept clearly to the students. (The subject “teacher” is performing the action of “explaining.”)
  • The doctor treated the patient’s illness effectively. (The subject “doctor” is performing the action of “treating.”)

he verb, and if present, the direct object follows the verb. Here are examples illustrating active voice:

How to change passive voice to active voice?

To convert a sentence from passive voice to active voice, you must first recognize the subject and the verb, ensuring that the subject performs the action described by the verb. Here are the steps to transition from passive voice to active voice:

  1. Identify the subject and the verb of the sentence: In passive voice, the subject is typically the recipient of the action and often preceded by a form of the verb “to be” (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been).
  2. Rearrange the sentence so that the subject comes before the verb: In active voice, the subject should precede the verb.
  3. Adjust the verb form if necessary: In passive voice, the verb is often in the past participle form, while in active voice, it should be in the present or past tense.
  4. Omit the auxiliary verb “to be” and the preposition “by” (if applicable).

For instance, the passive voice sentence “The cat was chased by the dog” can be transformed into active voice by identifying the subject “dog” and the verb “chase,” moving the subject before the verb, converting the verb to present tense, and eliminating the auxiliary verb “was” and the preposition “by.” The active sentence would be “The dog chases the cat.”

Similarly, the passive sentence “The project was finished on time by him” can be revised to “He finished the project on time.”

It’s worth noting that not all sentences can be converted to active voice, but using active voice whenever possible enhances clarity and directness.

What is the difference between an active and passive voice?

The primary distinction between active and passive voice lies in how the subject and verb are utilized in a sentence. In active voice, the subject performs the action described by the verb, appearing before the verb, which is in either present or past tense. Conversely, in passive voice, the subject is impacted by the action described by the verb, either following the verb or being omitted entirely. The verb typically adopts a past participle form and is often accompanied by the auxiliary verb “to be” (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been).

Active voice is esteemed for its directness and clarity, while passive voice is often deemed more formal and indirect. Additionally, active voice tends to be more concise and less verbose compared to passive voice.

Consider the following examples to elucidate the contrast:

Active Voice: “The dog chased the cat.”

  • The subject “dog” executes the action of “chasing.”

Passive Voice: “The cat was chased by the dog.”

  • The subject “cat” is influenced by the action of “chasing,” and the actor “dog” is introduced by the preposition “by.”

Active Voice: “He finished the project on time.”

  • The subject “he” performs the action of “finishing.”

Passive Voice: “The project was finished on time by him.”

  • The subject “project” is affected by the action of “finishing,” and the actor “him” is introduced by the preposition “by.”

Active voice offers directness and conciseness, while passive voice conveys formality. It is crucial to consider the context and select the appropriate voice to enhance the effectiveness of your writing.