Active and passive voice

Active voice is where the individual, animal or thing doing the action comes before
the verb.

The dog fetched the ball.

the one doing
the action

verb

thing or person
it is done to

Passive voice is where the individual, animal or thing doing the action comes after
the verb.

The ball was fetched by the dog.

thing or person it
is done to

verb

the one doing

the action

Generally, active voice is preferable. However, a writer may choose to use passive voice in a more
formal document or where there is a deliberate attempt to avoid stating who is responsible for an
action, eg: Your complaint has been received, but no decision has yet been reached about changing
the policy.

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