Writing 567 active and passive voice

voice - active voice, passive voice

active voice - everyday normal way, most of the time
subject does the verb
I read the book.
I read subject + verb
I am doing the action 'read'
the subject is active, doing something

Maria drove the car to Surrey.
She bought a new pair of boots.


passive voice - less common, sounds weak
useful for when we don't want to take responsibility for an action, don't know who did something

I ate an apple. active voice
The apple was eaten by me.
The apple was eaten. We don't know who did it.
the subject is passive, not doing anything

Sarah bought a new pair of boots.
The new pair of boots was bought by Sara.

Joe's sister ran the business. active
The business was run by Joe's sister. passive

The window was broken last night. passive
Somebody broke the window last night. active

I spilled the milk.
The milk was spilled.
The plate was broken.
All the cookies have been eaten.



In general, we want to avoid passive voice. It sounds weak.
Active voice sounds strong.

My friend embarrassed me at the party. active voice
I was embarrassed.

STYLE
I was taught to drive by my father. passive voice
I learned how to drive from mt father. active voice

My father taught me how to drive.

Iphones screens are sold at BestBuy. passive, weak
BestBuy sells iphone screens. active, strong


Another with passive voice - verbs are more complicated, more verb, more errors

I ate an apple.
The apple was eaten by me.

Michele drives Sarah to the park every Tuesday night. active
Sarah has been driven to the park by Michele every Tuesday night.

Also, we have to use a prep for active voice.
I ate an apple.
The apple was eaten by me.

1. sounds weak
2. more complicated verb
3. preposition