Which Of The Following Sentences Is In Active Voice

Which of the Following Sentences is in Active Voice? A Guide to Identifying Active and Passive Voice

Understanding the difference between active and passive voice is crucial for clear and effective writing. Active voice generally results in stronger, more direct sentences, while passive voice can be weaker and less engaging. This article will help you determine which sentence from a given set is in the active voice, and explain why. We'll explore the key characteristics of each voice, provide examples, and offer tips for identifying them effectively.

What is Active Voice?

In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. The structure is typically: Subject + Verb + Object.

Example: The dog chased the ball. (Subject: dog; Verb: chased; Object: ball)

What is Passive Voice?

In passive voice, the subject receives the action. The structure usually involves a form of the verb "to be" and a past participle.

Example: The ball was chased by the dog. (Subject: ball; receives the action of being chased)

Identifying Active Voice: A Step-by-Step Guide

To determine if a sentence is in active voice, ask yourself these questions:

1. Who or what is performing the action? This identifies the subject.
2. What is the action being performed? This identifies the verb.
3. Is the subject performing the action directly? If yes, it's active voice.

Let's look at some examples and determine which are active:

Scenario: Consider these sentences:

A. The report was written by John. B. John wrote the report. C. The cake was eaten quickly. D. The cat sat on the mat.

Analysis:

• Sentence A: This is passive voice. The report (subject) receives the action of being written. The actor (John) is placed at the end of the sentence using the preposition "by".

• Sentence B: This is active voice. John (subject) performs the action of writing the report.

• Sentence C: This is passive voice. The cake (subject) receives the action of being eaten.

• Sentence D: This is active voice. The cat (subject) performs the action of sitting.

Why Choose Active Voice?

Active voice is generally preferred because it:

• Is more concise and direct: It gets straight to the point.
• Is more engaging and dynamic: It creates a stronger and more impactful message.
• Is clearer and easier to understand: It reduces ambiguity.

When is Passive Voice Acceptable?

While active voice is generally preferred, passive voice has its place. It can be useful when:

• The actor is unknown or unimportant: "The window was broken."
• You want to emphasize the action, not the actor: "The experiment was carefully conducted."
• You want to be more formal or objective: "The results were analyzed statistically."

Conclusion:

By understanding the key differences between active and passive voice, and by following the steps outlined above, you can confidently identify which sentences are in active voice. Remember that while active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and strength, passive voice has its uses in specific situations. Practice identifying active and passive voice in your own writing and the writing of others, to improve your understanding and writing skills.