Active and Passive Voice
Verbs can be in either the active voice or the passive voice. Verbs in the active voice indicate action that the subject of a sentence is doing. Verbs in the passive voice indicate action that the subject is having done to it.
This resource was prepared by the Business Communication Lab at the Sam M. Walton College of Business
In sentences without objects, passive voice verbs are formed by adding the conjugated form of the verb to be and the past tense form of the verb. Examples:
Active Voice Passive Voice
The dog chases. The cat is chased.
Jeremy passed. The test was passed.
We will bake. Pies will be baked.
If the sentence contains an object, the passive voice is formed by adding the conjugated form of the verb to be, the past tense form of the verb, and the word by. Examples:
Active Voice Passive Voice
The dog chases the cat. The cat is chased by the dog.
Jeremy passed the test. The test was passed by Jeremy.
We will bake pies. Pies will be baked by us.
In general, it is better to use the active voice of verbs because it is more concise and clear to the audience. Putting verbs in the passive voice often adds unnecessary length to a sentence. Example:
Active voice: Jeremy and Amanda redecorated the apartment. (6 words)
Passive voice: The apartment was redecorated by Jeremy and Amanda. (8 words)
The passive voice may also obscure the subject of a sentence, impeding clarity. Example:
Active voice: The resident assistants recommended new dormitory policies.
Passive voice: New dormitory policies were recommended. (who recommended them?)
Use the passive voice when you want to deemphasize a subject and emphasize the object. For example, in the sciences, it is common for writers to use the passive voice to place themselves in the background and emphasize the procedures and results. Example:
Active voice: The researcher heated the compound and observed the color change.
Passive voice: The compound was heated, and the color change was observed. (what matters most is the process and the observation, not who did the steps)
You may also want to use the passive voice to deliberately obscure the subject, though in some circumstances, the audience may see this as dishonest. Example:
Active voice: The president’s advisors made some critical mistakes.
Passive voice: Some critical mistakes were made. (the speaker may want to avoid implicating the president’s advisors)
Want to download this resource? Click here!
General Business Communication
Sound less like a student and more like a professional. Make your writing logically sound, persuasive, and concise by following these tips.
Research & Citations
Save time and energy in research and writing. Follow these tips and watch your research process become more targeted, efficient, and rewarding.
Grammar & Mechanics
The best communicators build credibility through polished, purposeful writing. Compose admirable text by following these essential language guidelines.
ESL Student Guides
American business culture is full of unique language, customs and expectations. Use these resources to build skill and familiarity with the conventions of academic and professional environments.
Oral Communication
Are you experiencing trouble writing or delivering a speech? Use these resources to develop confidence and poise as a public speaker, whether in the classroom or the professional world.