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Verb voice definition, characteristics and examples

Verb voice definition, characteristics and examples

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05/21/2023

Verb voice refers to the form or structure of a verb that indicates whether the subject of a sentence is performing the action (active voice) or receiving the action (passive voice). Understanding verb voice helps convey information about the focus and perspective of the sentence.

ACTIVE VOICEPASSIVE VOICE
Active voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence performs the action expressed by the verb. It is the most common and straightforward way of presenting information.Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence undergoes the action expressed by the verb, rather than performing the action itself. In passive voice, the emphasis is on the receiver of the action rather than the doer.
  1. Characteristics of Active Voice:

    • The subject of the sentence is the doer or performer of the action.
    • Active voice sentences typically follow the subject-verb-object (SVO) word order.
    • Active voice sentences are generally more concise, direct, and easier to understand.
  2. Examples of Active Voice:

    • "She wrote a novel."
    • "The cat chased the mouse."
    • "They are building a house."
    • "He sings beautifully."
    • "We ate dinner together."
  3. Advantages of Active Voice:

    • Clarity: Active voice clearly indicates who or what is performing the action, making the sentence easier to understand.
    • Conciseness: Active voice often results in shorter, more concise sentences.
    • Directness: Active voice provides a straightforward and engaging way to convey information.
    • Active voice is commonly used in various forms of writing, such as narratives, instructions, news articles, and everyday conversation.
  4. Importance of Active Voice:

    • Active voice promotes clarity and helps avoid ambiguity in communication.
    • Active voice is useful when emphasizing the doer of the action, especially in situations where responsibility or accountability is relevant.
  5. Active to Passive Voice Conversion:

    • To convert a sentence from active to passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence.
    • The verb is changed to a passive form by using a form of "to be" and the past participle of the main verb.
    • Example:
      • Active: "They built the house."
      • Passive: "The house was built by them."
  1. Structure of Passive Voice:

    • Passive voice sentences typically follow the object-verb-subject (OVS) word order.
    • The verb is formed by using a form of the auxiliary verb "to be" (such as "is," "was," "has been") followed by the past participle of the main verb.
    • Example: "The book was written by the author."
  2. Characteristics of Passive Voice:

    • The subject of the sentence receives or experiences the action performed by someone or something else.
    • The doer or agent of the action may be mentioned using the preposition "by," but it is often omitted or unknown.
    • Passive voice is commonly used in formal writing, scientific research papers, and when the focus is on the action rather than the doer.
  3. Examples of Passive Voice:

    • "The report was prepared by the team."
    • "The window was broken by a stray baseball."
    • "The cake has been baked."
    • "The flowers were being watered by the gardener."
    • "The decision will be made by the committee."
  4. Reasons for Using Passive Voice:

    • Focus on the receiver: Passive voice emphasizes the object or receiver of the action.
    • De-emphasizing the doer: Sometimes the doer of the action is unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally left undisclosed.
    • Formality: Passive voice is often preferred in formal or academic writing as it lends a more objective tone.
  5. Drawbacks of Passive Voice:

    • Lack of clarity: Passive voice can sometimes obscure the doer or create ambiguity about who performed the action.
    • Wordiness: Passive voice sentences tend to be longer and can sound more convoluted than active voice sentences.
    • Reduced impact: Passive voice can make writing seem less direct or engaging.
  6. Passive to Active Voice Conversion:

    • To convert a sentence from passive to active voice, the subject of the passive sentence becomes the doer or subject in the active sentence.
    • The verb is changed to an active form, and the receiver of the action (formerly the subject in the passive sentence) becomes the object in the active sentence.
    • Example:
      • Passive: "The cake was baked by her."
      • Active: "She baked the cake."

Understanding verb voice allows for effective communication and precise expression of the relationship between the subject and the action in a sentence. Active and passive voices offer different perspectives and emphasis, and knowing when to use each can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing or speech.

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