Active vs Passive Voice: What is the Difference?

Understanding the difference between active vs passive voice is important for writing clear and grammatically correct English sentences. Both voices describe actions, but they present information differently. In active voice, the subject performs the action, while in passive voice, the subject receives the action. Choosing the correct voice helps you communicate your ideas more effectively.

For example, consider the sentences “The teacher explained the lesson” and “The lesson was explained by the teacher.” Both sentences describe the same action, but their sentence structures and emphasis are different. The first sentence focuses on the person performing the action, while the second focuses on the action’s recipient.

In this article, you will learn the key differences between active and passive voice through simple explanations, comparison tables, and practical examples. You will also discover how their sentence structures differ, how they work in different verb tenses, and when to use each voice in everyday communication and academic writing.

What Is the Difference Between Active and Passive Voice?

The main difference between active and passive voice is how the subject relates to the action in a sentence. In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the subject receives the action.

Both voices can describe the same event, but they emphasize different parts of the sentence.

Active Voice

In active voice, the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. The sentence usually follows a direct and clear structure.

Structure: Subject + Verb + Object

Example:

• The chef prepared the meal.

In this sentence:

• Subject: The chef

• Verb: prepared

• Object: the meal

The sentence focuses on the chef, who performs the action.

Passive Voice

In passive voice, the subject receives the action rather than performing it. The person or thing performing the action may be mentioned using “by” or omitted entirely.

Structure: Subject + Form of Be + Past Participle (+ by + Agent)

Example:

• The meal was prepared by the chef.

In this sentence:

• Subject: The meal

• Passive verb: was prepared

• Agent: the chef

The sentence focuses on the meal rather than the chef.

Active vs Passive Voice: Simple Comparison

Key takeaway: Active voice emphasizes who performs an action, while passive voice emphasizes who or what receives the action. Neither voice is always better. The correct choice depends on what you want to emphasize.

For a detailed explanation of each voice, read our guides on Active Voice: Definition, Rules, and Examples and Passive Voice: Definition, Rules, and Examples.

Active vs Passive Voice: Key Differences

Understanding the key differences between active and passive voice helps you choose the correct sentence structure in English. Although both voices describe actions, they differ in subject roles, verb forms, sentence emphasis, and usage.

The following comparison table explains the main differences between active and passive voice with simple examples.

1. Difference in Subject Roles

In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the subject receives the action.

Active: The police arrested the thief.

Passive: The thief was arrested by the police.

The active sentence emphasizes the police, while the passive sentence emphasizes the thief.

2. Difference in Sentence Structure

Active voice generally follows a subject-verb-object structure. Passive voice changes the object of the active sentence into the subject of the passive sentence.

Active: The students completed the project.

Passive: The project was completed by the students.

Notice that “the project” becomes the subject in the passive sentence.

3. Difference in Emphasis

Active voice emphasizes who performs an action, while passive voice emphasizes the action or its recipient.

Active: The company launched a new product.

Passive: A new product was launched by the company.

The first sentence focuses on the company. The second focuses on the new product.

4. Difference in Verb Forms

Active and passive sentences use different verb constructions.

Active: She writes a report.

Passive: A report is written by her.

The active sentence uses the present simple verb “writes.” The passive sentence uses “is” followed by the past participle “written.”

5. Difference in Usage

Active voice is generally preferred when you want direct, clear communication. Passive voice is useful when the person performing the action is unknown, unimportant, or less relevant than the action itself.

Active: The technician repaired the computer.

Passive: The computer was repaired.

The passive sentence does not identify the technician because the focus is on the completed repair.

Remember: Active voice is usually more direct, but passive voice is equally grammatical and can be more appropriate when the action or its recipient deserves greater attention.

Active vs Passive Voice: Sentence Structure

The sentence structure of active and passive voice is different because the subject and object change their grammatical roles. In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject that receives the action.

Understanding these structural differences makes it easier to identify active and passive sentences and convert one voice into the other.

Active Voice Sentence Structure

The basic structure of an active voice sentence is:

Subject + Verb + Object

Example:

The teacher explains the lesson.

• Subject: The teacher

• Verb: explains

• Object: the lesson

In this sentence, the teacher performs the action of explaining.

Passive Voice Sentence Structure

The basic structure of a passive voice sentence is:

Subject + Form of Be + Past Participle (+ by + Agent)

Example:

The lesson is explained by the teacher.

• Subject: The lesson

• Auxiliary verb: is

• Past participle: explained

• Agent: the teacher

In the passive sentence, the lesson receives the action. The teacher is still the person performing the action, but the sentence emphasizes the lesson.

How Sentence Structure Changes from Active to Passive

When changing an active sentence into passive voice, the grammatical structure changes in several ways.

1. The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.

2. The main verb changes to an appropriate form of be followed by the past participle.

3. The original subject may appear after by as the agent.

4. The verb tense remains the same, although its grammatical form changes.

Example:

Active: The chef cooked the dinner.

Passive: The dinner was cooked by the chef.

Here, “the dinner” moves from the object position to the subject position, and “cooked” becomes “was cooked.”

Active vs Passive Voice Structure Examples

Can Every Active Sentence Be Changed into Passive Voice?

Not every active sentence can be changed into passive voice.

Passive constructions generally require a verb that takes an object. These are called transitive verbs.

For example:

• Active: She opened the door.

• Passive: The door was opened by her.

However, sentences containing intransitive verbs, such as sleep, arrive, and happen, generally cannot be converted into passive voice because these verbs do not take direct objects.

Example:

• Correct: The baby slept peacefully.

• Incorrect: Peacefully was slept by the baby.

Key takeaway: Active voice places the person or thing performing the action in the subject position. Passive voice places the recipient of the action in the subject position and uses a passive verb construction.

Active vs Passive Voice Examples (Side-by-Side Comparison)

Comparing active vs passive voice examples is one of the easiest ways to understand how these two sentence structures work in English. Both voices can describe the same action, but they emphasize different parts of the sentence.

The following examples show how active and passive voice are used in everyday conversations, school, workplaces, and formal writing.

1. Active vs Passive Voice Examples in Everyday English

In these examples, active voice identifies who performs the action. Passive voice places greater emphasis on the person or thing receiving the action.

2. Active vs Passive Voice Examples in School

Example comparison:

Active: The teacher corrected the mistakes.

Passive: The mistakes were corrected by the teacher.

The active sentence emphasizes the teacher, while the passive sentence emphasizes the mistakes that were corrected.

3. Active vs Passive Voice Examples in the Workplace

In professional communication, active voice often makes responsibilities clearer. Passive voice can be useful when the completed action or result is more important than the person responsible.

4. Active vs Passive Voice Examples in Academic Writing

Example comparison:

Active: The researchers measured the temperature.

Passive: The temperature was measured.

The passive sentence emphasizes the measurement rather than the researchers. This structure is common in scientific reports when the procedure is more important than who performed it.

5. Active vs Passive Voice Examples with Negative Sentences

Active and passive voice can also be used in negative sentences.

In passive negative sentences, not usually follows the first auxiliary verb.

6. Active vs Passive Voice Examples with Questions

Both active and passive voice can be used to ask questions.

In passive questions, the auxiliary verb generally appears before the subject, just as it does in other English questions.

7. Active vs Passive Voice Examples with Modal Verbs

Modal verbs such as can, could, should, must, and may can appear in both active and passive sentences.

Passive structure with modal verbs:

Modal Verb + Be + Past Participle

Example:

Active: You must submit the application.

Passive: The application must be submitted.

The passive sentence emphasizes the requirement rather than the person responsible for completing it.

Key takeaway: Active and passive voice can express the same action in different sentence forms. Active voice usually emphasizes the person or thing performing the action, while passive voice emphasizes the action’s recipient or result. The best choice depends on the purpose and context of your sentence.

Active vs Passive Voice in Different Tenses

Active and passive voice can be used in different English verb tenses. The main difference is how the verb changes when a sentence moves from active to passive voice. In active voice, the verb follows the normal tense structure. In passive voice, an appropriate form of be is combined with the past participle of the main verb.

Understanding active vs passive voice in different tenses helps you compare sentence structures while keeping the original tense and meaning.

Active vs Passive Voice Tenses Comparison Table

The following table compares active and passive voice in commonly used English tenses.

1. Present Simple: Active vs Passive Voice

Active structure: Subject + V1 (s/es) + Object

Passive structure: Subject + Am/Is/Are + V3 (+ by + Agent)

• Active: The teacher checks the homework.

• Passive: The homework is checked by the teacher.

The present simple passive uses am, is, or are followed by the past participle.

2. Present Continuous: Active vs Passive Voice

Active structure: Subject + Am/Is/Are + Verb-ing + Object

Passive structure: Subject + Am/Is/Are + Being + V3 (+ by + Agent)

• Active: The workers are repairing the road.

• Passive: The road is being repaired by the workers.

The word being indicates that the action is in progress.

3. Present Perfect: Active vs Passive Voice

Active structure: Subject + Has/Have + V3 + Object

Passive structure: Subject + Has/Have + Been + V3 (+ by + Agent)

• Active: The manager has approved the proposal.

• Passive: The proposal has been approved by the manager.

Both sentences describe a completed action with a connection to the present.

4. Past Simple: Active vs Passive Voice

Active structure: Subject + V2 + Object

Passive structure: Subject + Was/Were + V3 (+ by + Agent)

• Active: The chef prepared the meal.

• Passive: The meal was prepared by the chef.

The past simple passive uses was or were followed by the past participle.

5. Past Continuous: Active vs Passive Voice

Active structure: Subject + Was/Were + Verb-ing + Object

Passive structure: Subject + Was/Were + Being + V3 (+ by + Agent)

• Active: The students were decorating the classroom.

• Passive: The classroom was being decorated by the students.

Both sentences describe an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past.

6. Past Perfect: Active vs Passive Voice

Active structure: Subject + Had + V3 + Object

Passive structure: Subject + Had + Been + V3 (+ by + Agent)

• Active: The team had completed the project.

• Passive: The project had been completed by the team.

The past perfect passive describes an action completed before another past event or time.

7. Future Simple: Active vs Passive Voice

Active structure: Subject + Will + V1 + Object

Passive structure: Subject + Will + Be + V3 (+ by + Agent)

• Active: The company will launch a new product.

• Passive: A new product will be launched by the company.

The future simple passive uses will be followed by the past participle.

8. Future Perfect: Active vs Passive Voice

Active structure: Subject + Will Have + V3 + Object

Passive structure: Subject + Will Have + Been + V3 (+ by + Agent)

• Active: The workers will have completed the bridge by June.

• Passive: The bridge will have been completed by the workers by June.

Both sentences describe an action that will be completed before a specified future time.

Are All English Tenses Commonly Used in Passive Voice?

Although passive constructions are grammatically possible in many English tenses, some forms are extremely uncommon in everyday communication.

For example, the present perfect continuous passive (has been being repaired) and future continuous passive (will be being repaired) are grammatically possible but usually sound awkward.

English speakers often choose simpler passive constructions or rewrite the sentence to make it more natural.

Key takeaway: When comparing active and passive voice across different tenses, remember that the tense remains the same, but the passive verb uses the appropriate form of be followed by the past participle. The subject and object roles also change.

When to Use Active Voice vs Passive Voice

Choosing between active and passive voice depends on the purpose of your sentence and the information you want to emphasize. Active voice is generally preferred for direct and clear communication, while passive voice is useful when the action or its recipient is more important than the person performing it.

Both voices are grammatically correct, but they serve different purposes in English speaking and writing.

When to Use Active Voice

Active voice is usually the better choice when you want to identify who performs an action, communicate directly, or make your writing more concise.

1. When the person performing the action is important

Use active voice when readers need to know who is responsible for an action.

• Active: The manager approved the budget.

• Passive: The budget was approved by the manager.

The active sentence clearly identifies the manager as the person responsible.

2. When you want clear and direct communication

Active voice often makes sentences shorter and easier to understand.

• Active: The technician repaired the computer.

• Passive: The computer was repaired by the technician.

The active sentence communicates the action more directly.

3. When giving instructions

Active voice is commonly used in instructions, guidelines, and everyday communication.

Examples:

• Complete the application form.

• Turn off the lights.

• Follow the safety instructions.

These sentences use the imperative form, with the subject “you” understood.

4. When writing stories or describing events

Active voice often makes storytelling more engaging because it clearly shows who performs each action.

• Active: The firefighter rescued the child.

• Passive: The child was rescued by the firefighter.

The active sentence emphasizes the firefighter’s action.

When to Use Passive Voice

Passive voice is useful when the person performing the action is unknown, unimportant, or less relevant than the action itself.

1. When the person performing the action is unknown

Use passive voice when you do not know who performed an action.

• Passive: My phone was stolen yesterday.

• Active: Someone stole my phone yesterday.

The passive sentence focuses on the stolen phone without identifying the person responsible.

2. When the action is more important than the person

Passive voice is appropriate when the result or recipient of an action deserves greater attention.

• Active: The workers completed the bridge in 2025.

• Passive: The bridge was completed in 2025.

The passive sentence emphasizes the bridge and its completion.

3. When writing scientific or academic reports

Passive voice can be useful in academic and scientific writing when the procedure, observation, or result is more important than the researcher.

• Active: The researchers collected the samples.

• Passive: The samples were collected.

Both forms are acceptable in many academic contexts, depending on the discipline and writing guidelines.

4. When the person performing the action is unimportant

Sometimes, identifying who performs an action does not add useful information.

• Passive: English is spoken in many countries.

• Active: People speak English in many countries.

The passive sentence focuses on the language rather than the speakers.

5. When you want to emphasize the recipient of an action

Passive voice helps keep attention on the person or thing affected by an action.

• Active: The committee selected Sarah for the award.

• Passive: Sarah was selected for the award.

The passive sentence emphasizes Sarah rather than the committee.

Active vs Passive Voice: Which Should You Choose?

Is Active Voice Better Than Passive Voice?

Active voice is often recommended because it makes writing more direct, concise, and easy to understand. However, passive voice is not grammatically incorrect or necessarily weaker.

The best choice depends on the context. Use active voice when the person performing the action matters. Use passive voice when the action, result, or recipient deserves more attention.

Remember: Good English writing uses both active and passive voice appropriately. The goal is not to avoid passive voice completely but to choose the voice that communicates your meaning most effectively.

Active vs Passive Voice in Academic and Everyday Writing

The choice between active and passive voice in writing depends on the type of communication, the audience, and the purpose of the sentence. Both voices are used in academic writing, business communication, and everyday English, but their frequency and functions may differ.

Active voice generally makes writing more direct and easier to understand. Passive voice is useful when the action, result, or recipient deserves greater attention.

1. Active vs Passive Voice in Academic Writing

In academic writing, both active and passive voice are acceptable. The choice depends on the subject, academic discipline, and writing guidelines.

Active voice is often preferred when identifying the researcher or explaining who performed an action.

Active voice examples:

• The researchers analyzed the data.

• The students conducted the experiment.

• The author explains the main argument.

Passive voice is useful when the research process, findings, or results are more important than the person performing the action.

Passive voice examples:

• The data were analyzed carefully.

• The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions.

• The results were published in a scientific journal.

Comparison:

Writing tip: Do not assume that academic writing must always use passive voice. Many academic style guides encourage active voice when it improves clarity.

2. Active vs Passive Voice in Business Writing

Business writing often requires clear, professional, and concise communication. Active voice is especially useful when assigning responsibilities, explaining decisions, or giving instructions.

Active voice examples:

• The manager approved the request.

• Our team will review your application.

• The company launched a new service.

Passive voice is appropriate when the action or result is more important than identifying the person responsible.

Passive voice examples:

• Your application has been approved.

• The meeting has been postponed.

• The documents will be delivered tomorrow.

Comparison:

In professional emails, passive voice can help maintain a neutral tone when the person responsible is not important. However, active voice is often better when readers need to understand who will take action.

3. Active vs Passive Voice in Everyday Conversations

In everyday English conversations, active voice is common because speakers usually want to communicate information quickly and directly.

Active voice examples:

• My sister cooked dinner.

• John cleaned the kitchen.

• The teacher explained the lesson.

Passive voice is also common in natural conversation, especially when the speaker does not know who performed an action or wants to emphasize what happened.

Passive voice examples:

• My wallet was stolen.

• The door was left open.

• The package was delivered yesterday.

Comparison:

In everyday communication, passive sentences often omit the agent because identifying the person performing the action is unnecessary or impossible.

4. Active vs Passive Voice in News Reporting

News reports use both active and passive voice to present events and emphasize important information.

Active voice clearly identifies the person, organization, or group responsible for an action.

Active: The government announced new regulations.

Passive voice places greater emphasis on the announcement or its subject.

Passive: New regulations were announced by the government.

Another example:

• Active: The firefighters rescued three people.

• Passive: Three people were rescued by firefighters.

The passive sentence emphasizes the people who were rescued.

5. Active vs Passive Voice in Formal and Informal Writing

Both active and passive voice can appear in formal and informal writing. Passive voice may create a more impersonal tone, but it does not automatically make a sentence more formal.

Which Voice Is Better for Writing?

Neither active nor passive voice is always the best choice. Effective writing depends on choosing the sentence structure that matches your purpose.

Use active voice when you want to make responsibilities clear, identify the person performing an action, or communicate directly.

Use passive voice when the action’s recipient or result is more important, the person performing the action is unknown, or identifying that person would add unnecessary information.

Key takeaway: Active voice is often preferred for clarity and direct communication, while passive voice helps emphasize actions, results, and recipients. Using both appropriately makes your English writing more effective.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between active vs passive voice helps you write clearer and more effective English sentences. In active voice, the subject performs the action, while in passive voice, the subject receives the action. Both voices describe actions, but they differ in sentence structure, verb forms, and emphasis.

Active voice is generally preferred for direct communication, everyday conversations, and clear instructions. Passive voice is useful when the action, result, or recipient is more important than the person performing it. Choosing the correct voice depends on the purpose and context of your sentence.

To improve your English grammar, practice comparing active and passive sentences in different tenses. Pay attention to the subject, verb, and object, and remember that both voices are important for effective English communication.

Active vs Passive Voice FAQs

1. What is the main difference between active and passive voice?

The main difference is the role of the subject. In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the subject receives the action. For example, “The boy kicked the ball” is active, while “The ball was kicked by the boy” is passive.

2. What are five examples of active and passive voice?

Here are five examples:

3. Is active voice better than passive voice?

Active voice is often preferred because it makes sentences more direct and concise. However, passive voice is useful when the action or its recipient is more important than the person performing it. Neither voice is always better.

4. How can you identify active and passive voice?

To identify active voice, check whether the subject performs the action. To identify passive voice, look for a subject receiving the action and a passive verb construction, usually a form of be followed by a past participle.

5. What is the structure of active and passive voice?

The common active voice structure is Subject + Verb + Object. The passive voice structure is Subject + Form of Be + Past Participle (+ by + Agent). The agent is optional.

6. Can all active sentences be changed into passive voice?

No. Active sentences containing transitive verbs can generally be changed into passive voice. However, sentences with intransitive verbs, such as sleep, arrive, and happen, generally cannot form ordinary passive constructions because they do not have direct objects.

7. When should you use passive voice instead of active voice?

Use passive voice when the person performing the action is unknown, unimportant, or less relevant than the action or its recipient. For example, “The documents were submitted yesterday” emphasizes the documents rather than who submitted them.

8. Is passive voice grammatically incorrect?

No. Passive voice is a grammatically correct sentence construction in English. It is commonly used in academic writing, scientific reports, news reporting, and everyday communication.

9. Can active and passive voice be used in the same paragraph?

Yes. You can use both active and passive voice in the same paragraph. Choose active voice when identifying the person performing an action and passive voice when emphasizing the action or its recipient.

10. How can I improve my understanding of active vs passive voice?

Practice identifying subjects, verbs, and objects in sentences. Compare active and passive examples, learn passive verb structures in different tenses, and complete sentence conversion exercises regularly.

• Active and Passive Voice: Complete Grammar Guide
• Active Voice: Definition, Rules, and Examples 
• Passive Voice: Definition, Rules, and Examples 
• Passive Voice Exercises