Active Verses Passive Voice: A Complete Guide With Clear Explanations and 50 Practicle Examples.
Understanding active and passive voice is essential for clear communication in English. These two grammatical structures affect clarity, tone, emphasis, and formality, especially in academic writing, reports, exams, and professional contexts.
This article explains:
What active and passive voice are
How to form each one correctly
When to use each voice
Common mistakes
50 examples to help you master both forms
1. What Is Voice in Grammar?
In grammar, voice shows the relationship between:
the subject
English mainly uses two voices:
Passive Voice
2. What Is Active Voice?
In active voice, the subject performs the action.
Structure:
Example:
The teacher explained the lesson.
Subject = the teacher
Verb = explained
Object = the lesson
Active voice is usually:
clearer
more direct
more engaging
3. What Is Passive Voice?
In passive voice, the subject receives the action.
Structure:
Subject + form of “be” + past participle (+ by + agent)
Example:
The lesson was explained (by the teacher).
The focus shifts from who did it to what happened.
4. Why English Uses Passive Voice
Passive voice is common when:
the action is more important than the actor
the actor is unknown
the actor is obvious
formality is required (academic, scientific, legal writing)
5. Forming the Passive Voice (Step by Step)
Active sentence:
Step 1: Move the object to the subject position
The meal…
Step 2: Add the correct form of be
The meal is…
Step 3: Add the past participle
The meal is prepared…
Step 4 (optional): Add the agent with by
The meal is prepared by the chef.
6. Tense Changes in Passive Voice
Tense
Active
Passive
wrote
was written
is writing
is being written
has written
has been written
will write
will be written
7. When to Prefer Active Voice
Use active voice when:
clarity is important
you want strong, direct sentences
you are telling a story
you want engaging writing
8. When to Prefer Passive Voice
Use passive voice when:
the doer is unknown or irrelevant
you want a formal or neutral tone
you want to avoid assigning blame
you are writing academically or scientifically
50 Examples of Active and Passive Voice
Examples 1–10: Present Simple
→ The room is cleaned (by her).
They make cars in this factory.
→ Cars are made in this factory.
→ The food is eaten by the dog.
He writes emails every day.
→ Emails are written every day.
People speak English worldwide.
→ English is spoken worldwide.
The company produces software.
→ Software is produced by the company.
The teacher checks homework.
→ Homework is checked by the teacher.
We follow the rules.
→ The rules are followed.
She sells handmade jewelry.
→ Handmade jewelry is sold by her.
They grow coffee in Peru.
→ Coffee is grown in Peru.
Examples 11–20: Past Simple
The chef cooked the meal.
→ The meal was cooked by the chef.
They built the bridge in 1990.
→ The bridge was built in 1990.
She painted the house.
→ The house was painted.
The police arrested the suspect.
→ The suspect was arrested.
He fixed the computer.
→ The computer was fixed.
They canceled the flight.
→ The flight was canceled.
We cleaned the classroom.
→ The classroom was cleaned.
The storm destroyed the roof.
→ The roof was destroyed by the storm.
The author wrote the book.
→ The book was written by the author.
She opened the window.
→ The window was opened.
Examples 21–30: Continuous & Perfect Tenses
They are repairing the road.
→ The road is being repaired.
She is preparing dinner.
→ Dinner is being prepared.
He was washing the car.
→ The car was being washed.
They were watching the match.
→ The match was being watched.
She has finished the project.
→ The project has been finished.
They have completed the task.
→ The task has been completed.
He had closed the door.
→ The door had been closed.
We have cleaned the house.
→ The house has been cleaned.
She has written three articles.
→ Three articles have been written.
They have solved the problem.
→ The problem has been solved.
Examples 31–40: Future & Modals
They will announce the results.
→ The results will be announced.
She will deliver the package.
→ The package will be delivered.
They can solve the issue.
→ The issue can be solved.
You must follow the rules.
→ The rules must be followed.
They should fix the error.
→ The error should be fixed.
We may cancel the event.
→ The event may be canceled.
He will clean the office.
→ The office will be cleaned.
They might change the plan.
→ The plan might be changed.
She must complete the form.
→ The form must be completed.
They will launch the product.
→ The product will be launched.
Examples 41–50: Passive Without “By”
→ My bike was stolen.
People consider her talented.
→ She is considered talented.
They say the test is difficult.
→ The test is said to be difficult.
Someone has broken the window.
→ The window has been broken.
People expect better results.
→ Better results are expected.
They believe the story is true.
→ The story is believed to be true.
Someone cleaned the room.
→ The room was cleaned.
They made a mistake.
→ A mistake was made.
People think English is hard.
→ English is thought to be hard.
Someone has changed the schedule.
→ The schedule has been changed.
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Forgetting the correct form of be
2. Using passive voice when active is clearer
3. Overusing passive voice in informal writing
4. Forgetting the past participle
10. Final Thoughts
Both active and passive voice are essential tools in English. Strong speakers and writers know when to use each one depending on:
clarity
tone
emphasis
formality
Mastering them will significantly improve your writing, speaking, and exam performance.
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