We usually use the active voice in writing and speaking. E.g.

We usually use the active voice in writing and speaking. E.g. The girl kicked the ball. Someone or something (the agent) does something (verb) to someone or something else (recipient)

Here’s another example: The rain soaked the pitch. Someone or something (the agent) does something (verb) to someone or something else (recipient)

In the passive voice, we change this around, so that the recipient has something done to it by the agent. E.g. The ball was kicked by the girl Someone or something (recipient) has something done to it (verb) by someone or something (the agent)

Let’s see that again. The pitch was soaked by the rain Someone or something (recipient) has something done to it (verb) by someone or something (the agent)

Hint...look for linking/helping verbs. These turn active verbs into passive verbs!!! am, is, are, was, were, will be, etc.

In these examples, spot the use of the active voice and the passive voice. passive passive active active passive

The passive is generally found in more formal kinds of texts, such as reports, forms, evaluations, etc. E.g. A small amount of water was added to the beaker, while the mixture was heated using a Bunsen-burner. The passive is used because the person doing the action (the agent) is not needed.

Writing comes alive when you use the active voice. Try to write in the active voice every opportunity you get!!! In the middle of the night a hideous scream woke Sebastian. He jerked upright and his eyes sprang open. What he saw terrified him even more! His flesh turned to goose bumps and his very blood curdled. Horror gripped his body.

We usually use the active voice in writing and speaking. E.g.