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Do you ever wonder when you should use the Active or Passive voice?
Active vs. Passive Voice: When Each One Works Best
What’s the difference?
- In active voice, the subject does the action of the verb.
- In passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb.
Examples:
- Active: The chef prepared the meal. (subject = chef, action = prepared)
- Passive: The meal was prepared by the chef. (subject = meal, receiving the action)
How to Form Passive Voice:
Passive voice always uses a form of "be" + past participle of the main verb:
| Tense | Active Example | Passive Example |
| Present Simple | They deliver the mail. | The mail is delivered. |
| Past Simple | She wrote the letter. | The letter was written. |
| Present Continuous | They are cleaning the room. | The room is being cleaned. |
| Past Continuous | He was repairing the car. | The car was being repaired. |
| Present Perfect | We have finished the report. | The report has been finished. |
| Future Simple | She will send the invitations. | The invitations will be sent. |
| Modal + Verb | You must complete the form. | The form must be completed. |
Remember: The passive voice always adjusts the "be" verb according to the tense, then adds the past participle!
When to Use Active or Passive:
Use Active Voice When
- You want a strong, clear tone
- You know and want to show who is acting
- Writing resumes, blogs, instructions
Use Passive Voice When
- The action matters more than the doer
- Writing science reports, formal documents
- The doer is unknown or unimportant
Practice Task 1: Identify the Voice. Is each sentence Active (A) or Passive (P)?
- The room is being painted right now.
- They are organizing the event.
- A mistake was made.
- Scientists have discovered a new species.
Practice Task 2: Rewrite the Sentences. Change passive sentences to active (and vice versa).
- The homework was completed by the students. → (Active)
- She will announce the winner tomorrow. → (Passive)
- The movie is being watched by millions. → (Active)
Quick Tip to Remember
"Be" + past participle = passive voice
If you can add "by someone/something" after the verb, it’s probably passive!
