Active voice vs. passive voice
Jan 21, 2026•by Megan
Clear writing reflects clear thinking. And one of the fastest ways to improve clarity is to understand the difference between active and passive voice.
You’ve probably heard that passive voice is “bad.” But that’s not entirely true. Passive voice has a role. But when writers rely on it too often, sentences become vague, indirect, and harder to process.
Active voice does the opposite. It makes ideas easier to follow, responsibilities clearer, and communication more engaging.
This guide breaks down active voice vs passive voice, shows you how to recognize each one, explains when passive voice actually makes sense, and gives you practical steps to write more directly.
What is passive voice?
Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence receives the action instead of performing it.
In passive constructions, the structure often looks like this:
Object + form of “to be” + past participle (+ by actor)
Passive voice examples
The cake was eaten by Jose.
The car was driven by Maria.
The novel was written by a famous author.
In each sentence, the action happens to the subject. The person doing the action either appears later or disappears entirely.
That distance is the defining feature of passive voice.
Why passive voice can weaken writing
Passive voice isn’t grammatically wrong, but it often creates problems for readers.
Common issues with passive voice include:
Less clarity because the actor is hidden or delayed
More words than necessary
Reduced engagement and energy
Weaker accountability
For example:
A mistake was made.
Who made it? The sentence doesn’t say.
That ambiguity is why excessive passive voice can make writing feel evasive or dull, especially in everyday communication.
When passive voice is useful
Writers use passive voice intentionally when:
The actor is unknown or irrelevant
The action matters more than who performed it
A neutral or formal tone is required
That’s why passive voice appears frequently in scientific, academic, and technical writing.
Example:
The solution was heated to 100°C.
In this case, who heated it doesn’t matter. The result does.
The problem isn’t using passive voice. It’s using it by default instead of by choice.
What is active voice?
Active voice places the subject at the center of the action.
The structure is simple:
Subject + verb + object
Active voice examples
Jose ate the cake.
Maria drove the car.
A famous author wrote the novel.
The subject performs the action. The sentence moves forward cleanly and directly.
Why active voice works better for most writing
Active voice aligns with how people naturally process information.
Benefits of active voice include:
Clear cause-and-effect
Shorter, tighter sentences
Stronger engagement
Obvious responsibility
Active voice reduces cognitive load. Readers don’t have to mentally rearrange the sentence to understand who did what.
That’s why active voice dominates blog writing, professional communication, storytelling, microlearning content, and AI-readable content.
If your goal is clarity, active voice usually wins.
Active voice vs. passive voice: Clear examples
Here’s how the same idea changes depending on voice.
Passive voice examples:
The report was written by Amari.
The decision was made yesterday.
The meeting was canceled.
Active voice versions:
Amari wrote the report.
The team made the decision yesterday.
The manager canceled the meeting.
Active voice sounds better and removes ambiguity.
How to identify passive voice
A quick test:
Look for a form of “to be” (was, were, is, are, been).
Check if the subject is receiving the action.
Ask: Who is doing this?
If the sentence struggles to answer that question, it’s likely passive.
Example:
The presentation was approved.
Approved by whom?
How to convert passive voice to active voice
Follow this process:
Step 1: Identify the action
What is happening?
Step 2: Identify the actor
Who is performing the action?
Step 3: Make the actor the subject
Passive:
The report was written by Amari.
Breakdown:
Action: was written Actor: Amari Recipient: the report
Active:
Amari wrote the report.
The meaning stays the same. The clarity improves.
Why active voice matters beyond writing
Active voice improves grammar and shapes how ideas land.
In daily life, active voice:
Makes instructions easier to follow
Reduces misunderstandings at work
Encourages accountability
Clear language supports clear thinking. And clear thinking supports better decisions.
That connection is why active voice feels more decisive and grounded.
How to get better at using active voice
Like any mental skill, this one improves with practice.
Try this:
Edit your writing once for clarity only
Highlight every “was” or “were”
Rewrite sentences where the actor is missing
Read strong, well-edited nonfiction regularly
Tools like Grammarly can help flag passive constructions. So, slow down and ask one simple question: Who is doing the action here?
Strengthening language precision also strengthens thinking. Training your mind to notice structure, clarity, and word choice builds sharper communication over time.
The takeaway
Active voice vs passive voice isn’t about rules. It’s about intention.
Passive voice has a place. But use the active voice as your default when you want to communicate clearly, directly, and confidently.
When you choose active voice, you choose clarity. And clarity makes everything easier to understand.
If you want to sharpen the mental skills behind clear communication, including vocabulary, focus, and verbal precision, tools like the Elevate app are designed to train exactly that. A few minutes a day can make your writing, and your thinking, noticeably sharper.
FAQs: Active voice vs. passive voice
What is the main difference between active voice and passive voice?
The main difference is who performs the action. In active voice, the subject does the action. In passive voice, the subject receives the action.
Is passive voice grammatically incorrect?
No. Passive voice is grammatically correct. It becomes a problem only when overused or when it hides responsibility or reduces clarity.
Why do teachers prefer active voice?
Teachers prefer active voice because it produces clearer, more direct sentences. Active voice helps readers understand ideas faster and reduces ambiguity.
When should you use passive voice?
Use passive voice when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or intentionally de-emphasized, such as in scientific or technical writing.
How can I quickly check if a sentence is passive?
Ask yourself who is doing the action. If the sentence doesn’t clearly answer that question, it’s likely passive.
Does active voice improve readability?
Yes. Active voice typically shortens sentences, clarifies meaning, and lowers the mental effort required to understand the message.
Is active voice better for SEO and AI content?
In most cases, yes. Active voice improves clarity, intent matching, and extraction for AI Overviews and large language models.
Date: 1/21/2026
