Active Voice

The voice of a verb refers to the form of the verb used in relation to what the subject is doing. In
English there are only two voices-- passive and active.

The active voice of a verb simply means the form of the verb used when the subject is the doer
of the action.

In most writing, use the active voice. It is more direct and less ambiguous.

Passive Voice
The voice of a verb refers to the form of the verb used in relation to what the subject is doing. In
English there are only two voices-- passive and active.

The passive voice of a verb simply means the form of the verb used when the subject is being
acted upon rather than doing something.

The passive voice is formed by taking the appropriate tense of the verb to be and adding the past
participle.

Active Voice: The committee reviewed the project.

Passive Voice: The project was reviewed by the committee.

In most writing, use the active voice. It is more direct and less ambiguous.

The passive should be used only if the doer is unknown or unimportant, or if more emphasis is
put on the receiver of the action than the doer