Active Voice vs. Passive Voice — What's the Difference?

In English grammar, Active Voice and Passive Voice represent two distinct sentence constructions based on the relationship between the subject and the verb. In Active Voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action denoted by the verb. It results in clear, concise, and direct sentences, emphasizing the doer of the action. For example, in the sentence "The cat caught the mouse," "the cat" is the subject, actively performing the action of catching.

Contrastingly, in Passive Voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action represented by the verb. It often results in sentences that are less direct and more complex, focusing more on the action being done rather than who is doing it. For example, in the sentence "The mouse was caught by the cat," the emphasis is on the action of being caught, with "the mouse" as the receiver of the action.

The utilization of Active Voice and Passive Voice depends largely on the writer's intention and the desired focus of the sentence. Active Voice is generally preferred for its clarity and straightforwardness, making it suitable for most writing types, including journalistic and academic writing. It puts the agent or the doer of the action at the forefront, making the writing more engaging and the sentence structure simpler.

However, Passive Voice has its merits, especially when the doer is unknown, irrelevant, or when the focus needs to be on the action or the recipient of the action. Scientific writing, for example, often employs passive voice to maintain objectivity and focus on the observed phenomena rather than the observer. It's crucial to use passive voice judiciously, balancing it with active constructions to maintain readability and avoid ambiguity.