Active voice

Active voice is a sentence structure where the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. It is generally more direct, clear, and vigorous than passive voice, which often makes writing more engaging and easier to understand.

Examples of Active Voice:

1. Simple Sentence:
   • Active: The dog chased the cat.
   • Passive: The cat was chased by the dog.

1. Compound Sentence:
   • Active: She baked a cake and decorated it beautifully.
   • Passive: A cake was baked and decorated       beautifully by her.

1. Complex Sentence:
   • Active: The scientist, who discovered the cure, received a Nobel Prize.
   • Passive: The cure, which was discovered by the       scientist, earned him a Nobel Prize.

1. Interrogative Sentence:
   • Active: Did you finish the report?
   • Passive: Was the report finished by you?

Key Characteristics of Active Voice:

1. Subject-Verb-Object Structure:
   • The subject of the sentence performs the       action.
   • Example: The chef (subject) cooked (verb)       the meal (object).

1. Clarity and Directness:
   • Active voice sentences are usually       clearer and more straightforward.
   • Example: The manager (subject) approved       (verb) the budget (object).

1. Engagement:
   • Active voice often makes writing more       engaging and dynamic.
   • Example: The artist (subject) painted       (verb) a stunning mural (object).

Transforming Passive Voice into Active Voice:

To convert a sentence from passive to active voice, identify the subject, verb, and object. Then, restructure the sentence so that the subject performs the action.

Examples:

1. Passive: The book was read by the student.
   • Active: The student read the book.

1. Passive: The homework was completed by the children.
   • Active: The children completed the homework.

1. Passive: The letter was written by Sarah.
   • Active: Sarah wrote the letter.

When to Use Active Voice:

1. To Make Writing More Dynamic:
   • Use active voice to add energy and action       to your writing.
   • Example: The team (subject) scored (verb)       the winning goal (object).

1. For Clear Communication:
   • Active voice helps in conveying your       message clearly and concisely.
   • Example: The teacher (subject) explained       (verb) the concept (object).

1. In Instructions and Commands:
   • Active voice is effective in giving clear       instructions or commands.
   • Example: Turn (verb) off the lights       (object) when you leave (subject).

Practice Exercise:

Transform the following passive sentences into active voice:

1. Passive: The song was sung by the choir.
   • Active: The choir sang the song.

1. Passive: The experiment was conducted by the researchers.
   • Active: The researchers conducted the experiment.

1. Passive: The window was broken by the storm.
   • Active: The storm broke the window.

By using active voice, you can create more impactful and engaging writing.