Active vs. Passive — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 13, 2024
Active voice emphasizes the subject performing the action, while passive voice highlights the action's recipient.
Difference Between Active and Passive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb, making the sentence straightforward and dynamic. Whereas, passive voice involves the subject receiving the action, often making the sentence more indirect or less engaging.
Active voice typically results in clearer and more concise sentences, which is preferred in most writing styles. On the other hand, passive voice can be useful for focusing on the action or the recipient rather than the doer.
Sentences in active voice are generally more direct and vigorous, enhancing the clarity and impact of writing. In contrast, passive voice can be advantageous when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or to be deliberately obscured.
Usage of active voice is often encouraged in journalistic and academic writing to maintain a strong, clear narrative. Conversely, passive voice finds its place in scientific writing where the focus is on the experiment's results rather than the experimenter.
Active constructions are typically shorter and more to the point, making them ideal for engaging storytelling or instructions. Whereas passive constructions tend to be more complex and are often used to create a formal tone or to express politeness and objectivity.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Subject doing the action
Action or the recipient of the action
Clarity and Directness
More direct and clear
Less direct, often more formal
Typical Use
Conversational, news reporting
Academic, scientific reports
Sentence Length and Complexity
Shorter, less complex
Longer, more complex
Example
"The chef cooked the meal."
"The meal was cooked by the chef."
Compare with Definitions
Active
Subject performs the action.
The manager approved the project.
Passive
Indirect and sometimes formal.
The national anthem was sung by her.
Active
Preferred in instructions.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
Passive
Common in scientific writing.
The data were analyzed by the researchers.
Active
Engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits
Although he was seventy he was still robust and active
Passive
Used when the doer is unimportant.
Mistakes were made during the project.
Active
Pursuing an occupation or activity at a particular place or in a particular way
Sexually active teenagers
A politically active student body
Tigers are active mainly at night
The artist was active in the 1920s
Passive
Accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance
The women were portrayed as passive victims
Active
(of a thing) working; operative
The old watermill was active until 1960
Passive
Denoting a voice of verbs in which the subject undergoes the action of the verb (e.g. they were killed as opposed to the active form he killed them).
Active
Denoting a voice of verbs in which the subject is typically the person or thing performing the action and which can take a direct object (e.g. she loved him as opposed to the passive form he was loved).
Passive
(of a circuit or device) containing no source of electromotive force
A passive optical network is to be installed in 2000 homes
Active
An active form of a verb.
Passive
(of a metal) made unreactive by a thin inert surface layer of oxide.
Active
Being in physical motion
Active fish in the aquarium.
Passive
A passive form of a verb.
Active
Functioning or capable of functioning.
Passive
Receiving or subjected to an action without responding or initiating an action in return
The mind viewed as a passive receptacle for sensory experience.
Active
Marked by energetic activity; busy
Active stock and bond markets.
Spent an active day sightseeing.
Passive
Accepting or submitting without objection or resistance; submissive
A passive acceptance of one's fate.
Active
Involving or requiring physical exertion and energy
An active workout at the gym.
Passive
Existing, conducted, or experienced without active or concerted effort
“Although tick paralysis is a reportable disease in Washington, surveillance is passive, and only 10 cases were reported during 1987–1995” (US Department of Health and Human Services). “[Many parents believe] that computers are educational and, at the least, less passive than television” (Laurie Hays).
Active
Being in a state of action; not quiescent
Active hostilities along the border.
Passive
Of, relating to, or being certain bonds or shares that do not bear financial interest.
Active
Erupting or liable to erupt; not dormant
An active volcano.
Passive
Of, relating to, or being a solar heating or cooling system that uses no external mechanical power.
Active
Marked by or involving direct participation
Took an active interest in politics.
Played an active role on the committee.
Passive
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a verb form or voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject is the object of the action or the effect of the verb. For example, in the sentence They were impressed by his manner, were impressed is in the passive voice.
Active
Currently in use or effect
An active membership.
Passive
(Chemistry) Unreactive except under special or extreme conditions; inert.
Active
Openly acknowledged or expressed
An active dislike of the new neighbors.
Passive
(Electronics) Exhibiting no gain or contributing no energy
A passive circuit element.
Active
Producing an intended action or effect
Active ingredients.
Passive
The passive voice.
Active
Indicating that the grammatical subject of a verb is performing or causing the action expressed. Used of a verb form or voice.
Passive
A verb or construction in the passive voice.
Active
Expressing action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak, and move.
Passive
Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
Active
Of or relating to the management of an investment portfolio by continually making investment decisions based on new information as opposed to maintaining a predetermined strategy or reproducing the returns of a market or index.
Passive
Taking no action.
He remained passive during the protest.
Active
Being a source of electrical energy, as a generator.
Passive
(grammar) Being in the passive voice.
Active
Capable of converting or amplifying voltages or currents, as a diode or transistor.
Passive
(psychology) Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.
Active
Being on full military duty and receiving full pay.
Passive
(finance) Not participating in management.
Active
The active voice.
Passive
(aviation) Without motive power.
A passive balloon; a passive aeroplane; passive flight, such as gliding and soaring
Active
A construction or form in the active voice.
Passive
(electronics) Of a component: that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
Active
A participating member of an organization
Union actives.
Passive
Where allowance is made for a possible future event.
Active
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
Certain active principles
The active powers of the mind
Passive
(grammar) The passive voice of verbs.
Active
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.
An active child or animal
Passive
(grammar) A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.
Active
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force
Active laws
Active hostilities
Passive
(marketing) A customer who is satisfied with a product or service, but not keen enough to promote it by word of mouth.
Active
Emitting hot materials, such as lava, smoke, or steam, or producing tremors.
Passive
(electronics) Any component that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
Active
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy
An active man of business
Active mind
Active zeal
Passive
Not active, but acted upon; suffering or receiving impressions or influences; as, they were passive spectators, not actors in the scene.
The passive airUpbore their nimble tread.
The mind is wholly passive in the reception of all its simple ideas.
Active
Requiring or implying action or exertion
Active employment or service
Active scenes
Passive
Receiving or enduring without either active sympathy or active resistance; without emotion or excitement; patient; not opposing; unresisting; as, passive obedience; passive submission.
The best virtue, passive fortitude.
Active
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative
An active rather than a speculative statesman
Passive
Inactive; inert; unreactive; not showing strong affinity; as, red phosphorus is comparatively passive.
Active
Brisk; lively.
An active demand for corn
Passive
Designating certain morbid conditions, as hemorrhage or dropsy, characterized by relaxation of the vessels and tissues, with deficient vitality and lack of reaction in the affected tissues.
Active
Implying or producing rapid action.
An active disease
An active remedy
Passive
The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb;
`The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice
`The ball was thrown' is an abbreviated passive
Active
About verbs.
Passive
Lacking in energy or will;
Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself
Active
Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
Passive
Peacefully resistant in response to injustice;
Passive resistance
Active
Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
Passive
Expressing thatthe subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb;
Academics seem to favor passive sentences
Active
Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
Passive
Subject receives the action.
The project was approved by the manager.
Active
Eligible to be processed by a compiler or interpreter.
Passive
Focuses on the action or the recipient.
The mouse was chased by the cat.
Active
(electronics) Not passive.
Active
(gay sexual slang) of a homosexual man enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner.
Active
A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.
Active
(electronics) Any component that is not passive. See Passivity (engineering).
Active
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; - opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
Active
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
Active and nervous was his gait.
Active
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; - opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
Active
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; - opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
Active
Requiring or implying action or exertion; - opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
Active
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; - opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
Active
Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
Active
Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.
Active
Applied to a form of the verb; - opposed to passive. See Active voice, under Voice.
Active
Chemical agent capable of activity
Active
The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb;
`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice
Active
A person devoted to the active life
Active
Tending to become more severe or wider in scope;
Active tuberculosis
Active
Engaged in or ready for military or naval operations;
On active duty
The platoon is combat-ready
Review the fighting forces
Active
Disposed to take action or effectuate change;
A director who takes an active interest in corporate operations
An active antagonism
He was active in drawing attention to their grievances
Active
Taking part in an activity;
An active member of the club
He was politically active
The participating organizations
Active
Characterized by energetic activity;
An active toddler
Active as a gazelle
An active man is a man of action
Active
Exerting influence or producing an effect;
An active ingredient
Active
Full of activity or engaged in continuous activity;
An active seaport
An active bond market
An active account
Active
In operation;
Keep hope alive
The tradition was still alive
An active tradition
Active
Of the sun; characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions
Active
Expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor:
Hemingway favors active constructions
Active
Expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')
Active
(of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt;
Active volcanos
An extinct volcano
Active
Producing activity or change
Active
Engaged in full-time work;
Active duty
Though past retirement age he is still active in his profession
Active
Being in physical motion;
Active fish in the aquarium
Active
Characterized by energetic bodily activity;
Tennis is an active sport
A very physical dance performance
Active
Emphasizes the action's doer.
The cat chased the mouse.
Active
Direct and engaging.
She sang the national anthem.
Active
Often used in storytelling.
The author wrote a thrilling chapter.
Common Curiosities
When is passive voice preferred?
Passive voice is preferred when focusing on the action itself or when the doer is unknown or irrelevant.
What is active voice?
Active voice is a sentence structure where the subject performs the verb's action.
When should I use active voice?
Use active voice for clarity, directness, and engaging content.
Can passive voice be clearer than active voice?
Sometimes, especially in contexts where the action or recipient is more important than who performed the action.
What impact does active voice have on readability?
Active voice tends to enhance readability by being more straightforward.
Is passive voice less efficient?
Yes, it often makes sentences longer and more complex.
How does passive voice feature in academic writing?
It's often used to focus on the results or actions rather than the researcher.
Can I mix active and passive voices in the same document?
Yes, depending on the purpose and style of the document.
What is passive voice?
Passive voice is a sentence structure where the subject is acted upon by the verb.
Can using passive voice affect the tone of my writing?
Yes, it can make your writing sound more formal or detached.
Why is active voice recommended in journalism?
It makes the writing more dynamic and easier to understand.
Do all sentences have clear active and passive forms?
Most do, but the clarity and appropriateness can vary based on context.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
