Active Voice and Passive Voice in English Grammar – Easy Rules and Examples

Active Voice and Passive Voice Explained Simply (With Clear Examples)

English grammar often feels confusing, especially when we hear terms like active voice and passive voice. Many learners think these topics are difficult, but in reality, they are very simple when explained clearly. Active and passive voice are not just exam topics; they play an important role in daily communication, academic writing, and professional emails. Understanding them can instantly improve your writing quality and confidence.

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Before we go deeper, let us understand what “voice” means in grammar. Voice shows whether the subject of a sentence performs an action or receives the action. Based on this idea, English sentences are divided into two types: active voice and passive voice. 

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In active voice, the subject performs the action directly. This type of sentence is clear, strong, and commonly used in daily conversation. For example, when we say, “The teacher explains the lesson,” the subject “the teacher” is doing the action of explaining. Active voice sentences usually follow a natural flow and are easy to understand.

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Active voice is preferred in most forms of writing because it sounds direct and confident. News articles, stories, and spoken English mostly use active voice. When learners want to improve fluency, they are often encouraged to practice active voice sentences first. This is why active voice is considered beginner-friendly and practical.

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Now let us understand passive voice. In passive voice, the subject receives the action instead of doing it. The focus shifts from the doer to the action itself. For example, “The lesson is explained by the teacher.” Here, the lesson becomes the subject, and the teacher is no longer the main focus.

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Passive voice is commonly used when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or intentionally hidden. It is often seen in formal writing, scientific reports, official notices, and news headlines. Sentences like “The rules were changed” or “The work has been completed” are typical examples of passive voice.

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Many learners struggle to identify active and passive voice, but there is a simple trick. Ask yourself one question while reading a sentence: is the subject doing the action, or is the action happening to the subject? If the subject is doing the action, the sentence is in active voice. If the subject is receiving the action, it is in passive voice.

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Another important difference between active and passive voice is sentence structure. Active voice usually follows a subject-verb-object pattern. Passive voice often uses a form of “be” along with the past participle of the verb. This grammatical structure is important for exams and competitive tests, making this topic very popular among students.

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Let us look at how to change an active voice sentence into a passive voice sentence. First, identify the object of the active sentence. Then make it the subject of the passive sentence. After that, use the correct helping verb and the past participle form of the main verb. Finally, add “by” followed by the original subject if needed.

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For example, “She writes a letter” becomes “A letter is written by her.” This simple transformation is frequently asked in school exams, entrance tests, and government job exams. 

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It is also important to know when not to use passive voice. Overusing passive voice can make writing sound weak or unclear. In essays, and storytelling, active voice creates better engagement. Readers connect more easily when sentences sound natural and direct.

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However, passive voice is not wrong. It has its own place in English grammar. In scientific writing, for example, passive voice helps keep the focus on the process rather than the person. Sentences like “The experiment was conducted carefully” sound more formal and objective.

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One common mistake learners make is thinking that passive voice always includes the word “by.” This is not true. Many passive sentences do not mention the doer at all. For instance, “The door was closed” is a correct passive sentence even without “by someone.”

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Improving your understanding of active and passive voice takes practice, not memorization. Reading English articles, rewriting sentences, and observing how voice changes meaning will help you master this topic naturally. Over time, you will start choosing the correct voice automatically while writing.

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In conclusion, active voice and passive voice are essential parts of English grammar that every learner should understand. They are simple, logical, and extremely useful in real life. Whether you are a student, a job seeker, or someone trying to improve spoken and written English, mastering this topic will make a noticeable difference in your communication skills.

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