• Linguistics and Language -> Grammar and Syntax

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What is a passive voice, and how does it differ from an active voice in English grammar and syntax?

Jacquez Lendon

A passive voice is a way of writing or speaking in English where the subject of the sentence doesn't do the action, but instead receives it. This means that the sentence is focused on the action, rather than the person or thing doing the action. For example, instead of saying "I cleaned the house," you could say "The house was cleaned by me."

In an active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action. For example, "I cleaned the house."

One way to tell if a sentence is in passive or active voice is to look for the word "by." If there is a "by" and the subject is not doing the action, then it is likely in passive voice.

There are some reasons why writers or speakers might choose to use passive voice. It can make the sentence sound more formal or polite, and it can be used to shift the focus onto the action or thing being acted upon. However, in most cases, active voice is preferred because it is more direct, clear, and engaging for the reader.

It's important to remember that using passive voice all the time can make writing or speaking sound boring or confusing. So, try to use active voice as much as possible and save passive voice for when it's truly needed to convey a specific meaning or tone.