What are the key differences between active and passive voice?.

The primary difference between active and passive voice lies in the sentence structure. In active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., 'The cat chased the mouse'), whereas in passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., 'The mouse was chased by the cat'). Active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and directness, making sentences more engaging. Passive voice can be useful in specific contexts where the doer is unknown or less important.

Key Facts

• Active voice emphasizes the subject performing the action.
• Passive voice emphasizes the action being done to the subject.
• Active sentences are typically clearer and more straightforward.
• Passive voice often uses a form of the verb 'to be' plus the past participle.

Examples or Use Cases

• Active: "The teacher graded the exams."
• Passive: "The exams were graded by the teacher."

FAQs

• When should I use passive voice? Use passive voice when the doer is unknown, irrelevant, or you want to emphasize the action itself.
• Is passive voice incorrect? No, but it can lead to vagueness if overused.