Active, not passive

Most sentences can be written in either an active or passive voice, but it is almost always better to write in an active voice.

Why? Because the active voice brings energy or ‘punch’ to what you write, and conveys a sense of immediacy to the reader. On the other hand, the passive voice frequently makes your writing look clumsy, and can slow down the flow of information.

But what are active and passive voices?

  • The active voice is when the the subject of a sentence (the subject is often but not always a person) is doing something.

  • The passive voice is when the subject of a sentence is having something done to them.

How to write in the active (and passive) voice

  • To write in the active voice, the person or thing responsible for the action should come first

  • To write in the active voice, the person or thing being acted upon should come first

For example:

PASSIVE: “It has been urged by the Prime Minister that all citizens should be on the alert.”

ACTIVE: “The Prime Minister urges all citizens to be on the alert.”

Both of these sentences communicate the same meaning, but the active sentence is more direct, more succinct, more immediate, and leaves less room for doubt.

Homework

Today’s homework is designed to help you learn to identify passive and active sentences. Take a look at the sentences below, and:

a) See if you can identify which of the sentences are active, and which ones are passive
b) Next, have a go at rewriting the passive sentences so that they become active, and the active sentences so they become active

If you’re struggling, click on any of the sentences for answers.

  • Answer: this sentence is PASSIVE.

    An ACTIVE version of the sentence could be, “Miranda bakes a fresh sourdough every Saturday.”

  • Answer: this sentence is PASSIVE.

    An ACTIVE version of the sentence could be, “Plants are an easy way to bring life to any space.”

  • Answer: this sentence is ACTIVE.

    A PASSIVE version of the sentence could be, “My boat is floated by the idea of a breakfast picnic.”

  • Answer: this sentence is PASSIVE. 

    An ACTIVE version of the sentence could be, “Enjoy music, movies and mobiles on the road in unsurpassed quality and clarity with our car entertainment products.”

  • Answer: this sentence is ACTIVE. 

    A PASSIVE version of the sentence could be, “For a new habit to be sustainable, it needs to feel good.”

  • Answer: this sentence is PASSIVE.

    An ACTIVE version of the sentence could be, “Officials counted all the votes.”

  • Answer: this sentence is ACTIVE.

    A PASSIVE version of the sentence could be, “Batter should be poured into the dry mixture, well stirred.“

  • Answer: this sentence is ACTIVE.

    A PASSIVE version of the sentence could be, “A holiday is direly needed by me.”

  • Answer: this sentence is ACTIVE. 

    A PASSIVE version of the sentence could be, “Australia’s newest boom industry has been identified as infrastructure by the Prime Minister.”

  • Answer: this sentence is PASSIVE.

    An ACTIVE version of the sentence could be, “Both natural and human events endanger sea turtles.”

  • Answer: this sentence is ACTIVE.

    A PASSIVE version of the sentence could be, “Should you wish to make the most of our service, it is recommended that you provide as much information as possible in your online profile.”