Active/ Passive Voice

The Active/ Passive Voice

Most people speak and write in the Active Voice which involves:

subject,                       verb,                           object

eg.                   Lucy                           howled     at                the moon

In an Active Voice, the subject is the most important so comes first.

In a Passive Voice, the object is the most important and so comes first, eg.

object,                         verb,                           subject

The house                   was built   by              John

Depending on where the writer wants to place focus will depend on whether it is written in an Active or Passive Voice. This can be seen in journalism eg.

Lucy had bought the new car in 2011         (active) – Lucy is most important

The new car was bought by Lucy in 2011  (passive)- The car is most important