Passive vs. Active Voice
Passive voice is when the subject of the sentence does not take direct action. This should be avoided when writing to make our sentences feel more alive! Here are some examples:
Active Voice: Everyone in Medfield loves grammar.
Passive Voice: Grammar is loved by everyone in Medfield.
Active Voice: I know it from the newspaper.
Passive Voice: It was known from the newspaper by me.
Active Voice: I jumped down the stairs.
Passive Voice: A jump was taken down the stairs.
Note: Sometimes, passive voice is okay to use! Here are some instances where it might work for you:
1. When you don't know who performed the action
Ex: When her bike was stolen, she called the police.
2. To emphasize another part of the sentence
Ex: Rainbow sprinkles and hot fudge are necessary for the perfect ice cream sundae.
3. For style
Ex: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." - Winston Churchill
4. To emphasize someone's passivity
Ex: Little Samuel was driven by the butler.
Active Voice: Everyone in Medfield loves grammar.
Passive Voice: Grammar is loved by everyone in Medfield.
Active Voice: I know it from the newspaper.
Passive Voice: It was known from the newspaper by me.
Active Voice: I jumped down the stairs.
Passive Voice: A jump was taken down the stairs.
Note: Sometimes, passive voice is okay to use! Here are some instances where it might work for you:
1. When you don't know who performed the action
Ex: When her bike was stolen, she called the police.
2. To emphasize another part of the sentence
Ex: Rainbow sprinkles and hot fudge are necessary for the perfect ice cream sundae.
3. For style
Ex: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." - Winston Churchill
4. To emphasize someone's passivity
Ex: Little Samuel was driven by the butler.