English learners often struggle to simplify sentences in active voice because sentence structure can be tricky. But what is active voice? Learning more about what it is, how to use it, and in which situations it is appropriate is important. Let’s find out more in this article.
What is an Active Voice?
Before we dive into the topic, let’s review this example:
- “Math is taught by Nina.”
- “Nina is teaching math.”
Which one of those sentences is clearer, simpler, and more direct? Of course, it’s the second one, as it uses active voice.
Active voice is one of the first grammatical constructions most people learn when they start learning English. It is where the sentence centers on the subject, which executes the verb’s action.
The formula for active voice can be expressed as:
Subject + Verb + Object
Additionally, you can include complements to provide more information and detail. Complements can take the form of indirect objects, modifiers, or clauses.
Example
- “Darius is explaining the instruction manual to Donna.”
- “Sthira is drinking milk right from the carton.”
- “He is cheering up his sad girlfriend.“
As seen above, this structure makes the sentence clear. Thus, making it more engaging and dynamic.
Active and Passive Voice: How They Differ
Now, to help you better understand the topic, let’s explore the opposite of active voice: passive voice.
Passive voice is a grammatical construction that shifts the focus from the subject to the receiver of the action. It is ideal to create a more indirect, formal, or objective tone.
The passive voice formula varies depending on the verb tense but generally follows this structure:
Object (of the active voice) + Auxiliary Verb (to be) + Past Participle (main verb) + Complement + (By + Subject
To illustrate, let’s revisit the examples discussed earlier and convert them into passive voice:
- “The instruction manual is being explained to Donna by Darius.”
- “Milk is being drunk right from the carton by Sthira.”
- “His sad girlfriend is being cheered up by him.”
As seen above, passive voice reorders the sentence to highlight the object, rather than the subject. Consequently, the sentence becomes longer, less straightforward, and less dynamic compared to active voice.
Transforming Passive Voice Into Active Voice
Are you too accustomed to using passive voice and want to learn how to change it to active voice? Practice this easy step-by-step guide, and you’ll be set:
- First, identify the subject, verb, and object.
- Then, you can reformat the sentence and pick the correct verb.
- Lastly, add details and complements to keep the meaning intact.
Now, here are some examples:
- PV: “The antique clock was meticulously repaired by Elena in her workshop.”
AV: “Elena meticulously repaired the antique clock in her workshop.”
- PV: “The rare gem had been discovered by Dr. Dio during the expedition.”
AV: “Dr. Dio had discovered the rare gem during the expedition.”
- PV: “The detailed map of the ancient city was drawn by Yuki after months of research.”
AV: “Yuki drew the detailed map of the ancient city after months of research.”
- PV: “A custom wooden bookshelf is being crafted by Simba for the community center.”
AV: “Simba is crafting a custom wooden bookshelf for the community center.”
Active Voice: Key Benefits
What’s the importance of using active voice? When is it most effective? Here are the key reasons:
- Simplicity and Conciseness: Active voice simplifies sentences, making them easier to grasp. Therefore, it’s most suitable for straightforward communication, such as instructions or storytelling.
- Enhanced Engagement: By emphasizing the doer, an active voice adds energy and relatability, improving overall engagement and making content more dynamic.
- Efficiency: Active voice sentences are typically shorter and more concise due to their straightforward structure, making them easier to comprehend.
- Authority and Confidence: Active voice conveys decisiveness and professionalism, perfecting persuasive or authoritative writing.
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