Voice in Grammar: Mastering Active and Passive Voice

What Is Voice in Grammar?

In English grammar, voice refers to the relationship between the subject and the action of a sentence. It determines whether the subject is performing the action (active voice) or receiving the action (passive voice). Understanding voice is essential for writing clearly, expressing ideas effectively, and excelling in grammar exams. Whether you're a student, parent, or educator, mastering voice can elevate your communication skills.
 

Active Voice: Direct and Dynamic

Structure: 
Subject + Verb + Object  
Example: The student solved the problem.

Why Use Active Voice?
Clear and concise
Easier to understand
Preferred in essays, storytelling, and speeches

Benefits:
Improves readability
Highlights the doer of the action
Makes writing more engaging

Examples
She wrote a poem.  
The dog chased the ball.  
We completed the project.

Passive Voice: Formal and Focused

Structure  
Object + Form of “be” + Past Participle (+ by + Subject)  
Example: The problem was solved by the student.

Why Use Passive Voice?
Emphasises the action or result
Useful when the doer is unknown or irrelevant
Common in formal, scientific, and academic writing

Benefits
Shifts focus to the outcome
Adds variety to sentence structure
Ideal for objective tone

Examples
A poem was written by her.  
The ball was chased by the dog.  
The project was completed.

How to Convert Active to Passive Voice

Converting voice requires understanding sentence structure and verb tense. Here's a step-by-step guide:

 Step-by-Step Conversion

1. Identify the subject, verb, and object.
2. Move the object to the subject position.
3. Use the correct form of “be” + past participle.
4. Add “by” + original subject (optional).
5. Maintain the original tense.

Example

Active: The chef cooked the meal.  
Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef.

Tense-Wise Conversion Chart

Read more on the article - Active Voice Passive Voice Rules with Examples

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Passive Voice

Mastering voice in grammar means knowing not just how to use active and passive voice, but also how to avoid common pitfalls. Here are three frequent errors students make—and how to fix them:

1. Using Passive Voice with Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs don’t take a direct object, so they can’t be converted into passive voice.

Incorrect: The accident was happened.

Correct: The accident happened.

“Happen” is intransitive—it doesn’t act on an object, so passive construction is grammatically invalid. This mistake often stems from trying to apply passive rules universally.

2. Dropping Auxiliary Verbs
Passive constructions require a form of the verb “be” + past participle. Omitting the auxiliary leads to incomplete or incorrect sentences.

Incorrect: The match postponed.

Correct: The match was postponed.

Without “was,” the sentence lacks grammatical structure. This error is common in rushed writing or informal speech.

3. Overusing Passive Voice
While passive voice in writing can be useful, excessive use makes content dull, vague, or impersonal.

Example of Overuse: The report was written. The data was analysed. The conclusion was drawn.

Better (Active): The team wrote the report, analysed the data, and drew the conclusion.

Use passive voice strategically - when the doer is unknown, irrelevant, or when you want to emphasise the action/result.

Pro Tip:
If clarity, engagement, or brevity is your goal, active voice is usually the better choice. But for formal tone or emphasis on outcomes, passive voice has its place.

When to Use Active Voice and when to use Passive Voice

Use Active Voice When You Want To:

A) Be direct and clear. Example: “The student submitted the assignment.” → The subject (student) is doing the action.

B) Engage the reader Active voice feels energetic and conversational—perfect for blogs, emails, and social media.

C) Highlight the doer of the action Use it when the subject’s role is important or intentional.

D) Write persuasively or narratively Ideal for storytelling, marketing copy, and calls to action.

Use Passive Voice When You Want To:

Emphasize the action or result Example: “The assignment was submitted.” → Focus is on the outcome, not who did it.

Sound formal or objective Common in academic writing, reports, and scientific papers.

Avoid naming the doer Useful when the subject is unknown, irrelevant, or better left unsaid. Example: “The error was detected.”

Create variety in sentence structure Helps avoid repetitive patterns in longer texts.

Quick Tip:
If your sentence answers “Who did what?” - use active voice. If your sentence answers “What happened?” - passive voice might be better.

Exercises for Practice

Convert to Passive Voice

1. The teacher praised the student.  
2. They built a new school.  
3. She is reading a novel.

 Convert to Active Voice

1. The cake was baked by John.  
2. The homework has been completed.  
3. The song was sung by her.

 

Tips to Identify Voice Quickly

• If the sentence includes “by someone,” it’s likely passive.
• If the verb is a past participle preceded by “be,” it’s passive.
• Active voice is usually shorter and more direct.

Explore more tips on Understand Active and Passive Voice Rules With Examples


 

How PlanetSpark Helps Students Master Grammar Voice

Understanding voice in grammar, especially the difference between active and passive voice, is a foundational skill for effective communication. Yet for many students, grammar can feel abstract, rigid, or even boring. That’s where PlanetSpark steps in, transforming traditional grammar instruction into an engaging, personalised, and results-driven experience.

PlanetSpark’s innovative approach ensures they not only learn the grammar voice rules but also apply them confidently in both writing and speaking.
At PlanetSpark, we make grammar engaging and effective through:

A) Gamified Learning: Students explore voice in grammar through interactive games and quizzes covering:

• Active and passive voice,
• Grammar voice rules.
• How to convert active to passive.

B) Personalised Coaching: Tailored lessons help students:

• Apply grammar in writing and speech.
• Avoid errors in passive voice in writing.          

C) AI Progress Tracking: 
Real-time feedback highlights strengths and areas for improvement.

D) Online Grammar Course: 
Learn anytime, anywhere with PlanetSpark’s flexible platform.

E) Free Trial Available: 
Try our PlanetSpark grammar trial to explore our teaching style.
 

F) Real-Life Impact: 
Students gain clarity and confidence in communication.

 

Ready to make a change?

Mastering active and passive voice isn’t just about passing exams-it’s about expressing ideas clearly and confidently. Whether writing a story, delivering a speech, or crafting an email, students who understand grammar voice rules stand out.

Help your child master active and passive voice with confidence through PlanetSpark’s engaging, personalised learning experience. From interactive grammar voice rules to real-time feedback and expert coaching, we make grammar fun, effective, and practical.

Sign up for a free PlanetSpark grammar trial today and explore our online grammar course designed for real-world impact. Let’s turn grammar from a challenge into a superpower- one sentence at a time.