Using the active voice is one of the quickest ways to make your writing stronger, clearer, and more engaging. While the passive voice has its place, overusing it can make your writing sound weak and convoluted. This guide will break down the difference and show you how to use the active voice to make your writing more powerful.

What Is the Active Voice?

In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action.

• Active: "The dog chased the ball." (The subject, "dog," is doing the chasing.)

What Is the Passive Voice?

In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action.

• Passive: "The ball was chased by the dog." (The subject, "ball," is being acted upon.)

Why the Active Voice Is Usually Better

It's More Direct and Concise

The active voice is usually more direct and uses fewer words.

• Passive: "The decision was made by the committee." (7 words)
• Active: "The committee made the decision." (5 words)

It's More Engaging

The active voice is more dynamic and interesting to read. It creates a sense of action and immediacy.

It's Clearer

The active voice makes it clear who is doing what. The passive voice can sometimes be vague or evasive.

• Passive: "Mistakes were made." (By whom?)
• Active: "I made a mistake." (Clear and accountable.)

When to Use the Passive Voice

The passive voice isn't always wrong. It can be useful in a few specific situations.

When the Action Is More Important Than the Actor

• "The new bridge was built in record time." (The bridge is the important part of the sentence.)

When You Don't Know Who Did the Action

• "My car was stolen." (You don't know who stole it.)

In Scientific Writing

The passive voice is often used in scientific writing to create a sense of objectivity.

• "The solution was heated to 100 degrees Celsius."

How to Spot and Fix the Passive Voice

Look for a form of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) followed by a past participle (usually a verb ending in -ed or -en).

• "The ball was thrown by the boy."

To fix it, find the person or thing doing the action and make it the subject of the sentence.

• "The boy threw the ball."

A Quick Test

1. Who is doing the action? If the person or thing doing the action is the subject of the sentence, it's in the active voice.
2. Is the subject receiving the action? If so, it's in the passive voice.

Test Yourself

Change these sentences from passive to active:

1. The book was written by the author.
2. The cake was eaten by the children.
3. The report was submitted by the team.
4. The song was performed by the band.
5. The window was broken by the storm.

Answer Key:

1. The author wrote the book.
2. The children ate the cake.
3. The team submitted the report.
4. The band performed the song.
5. The storm broke the window.

Final Thoughts

In most cases, the active voice will make your writing stronger and more effective. It's a simple change that can have a big impact. By making a conscious effort to use the active voice, you'll make your writing more direct, engaging, and clear.