In active voice, the subject performs the action ("The dog chased the ball"), as opposed to passive voice, where the subject receives the action ("The ball was chased by the dog").
Why Active Voice Is Often Preferred
Active voice tends to be clearer, more direct, and more engaging, which is why most style guides recommend it for the majority of writing, particularly business and journalistic content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is passive voice always wrong?
No — passive voice is useful when the action's recipient is more important than who performed it, or when the actor is unknown.
How can I identify passive voice in my writing?
Look for "to be" verbs (was, were, is, are) combined with a past participle, often followed by "by."
Does active voice make writing shorter?
Generally yes — active voice sentences are often more concise than their passive equivalents.
Is active voice required in academic writing?
Not always — some scientific writing traditionally favors passive voice for objectivity, though modern style guides increasingly recommend active voice even there.
💡 The Takeaway
Scan for "was/were + past participle + by" — that pattern flags passive voice you may want to convert.
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