Mastering Active and Passive Sentences in English
Let’s dive into what they are, when to use them, and why they matter, plus, how you can become confident in using them in real-life conversations and writing.
What is the Active Voice?
In an active sentence, the subject does the action. It is direct, clear, and usually more engaging.
Structure:
Subject + Verb + Object
Examples:
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The teacher explained the lesson.
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They built a new hospital in the city.
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Maria wrote an email to her manager.
Active voice is often preferred in most forms of writing because it’s strong and concise. It keeps your message simple and easy to follow.
What is the Passive Voice?
In a passive sentence, the subject receives the action. The focus is on the result or the receiver of the action rather than who performed it.
Structure:
Object + form of "to be" + past participle (+ by + subject)
Examples:
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The lesson was explained by the teacher.
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A new hospital was built in the city.
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An email was written to her manager by Maria.
The passive voice is often used when:
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The doer of the action is unknown or unimportant.
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The focus is on the action/result.
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You want to be more formal or indirect.
Why Is It Important to Learn Both?
Many learners are taught to always use the active voice and while it's often preferred, there are many situations where the passive voice is more appropriate or necessary.
Here's why you need to learn both:
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Better writing: Improve your writing style in academic, business, or creative texts.
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Effective speaking: Use the right voice when explaining processes, facts, or situations.
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Deeper understanding of grammar: Knowing how sentences are formed boosts your overall English skills.
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Exam success: Passive voice is tested in TOEFL, IELTS, CELPIP, and other English proficiency tests.
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Real-world communication: Use passive voice to sound more polite or formal in the workplace.
Practice Makes Perfect: Let’s Work on It Together!
Understanding active and passive voice is just the first step. To truly master them, you need guided practice, clear feedback, and fun activities that help you use them confidently in real conversations and writing.
That’s where I come in. 😊
I’m an experienced online English tutor who creates personalized lessons to help learners like you gain fluency, accuracy, and confidence in English. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced student, I’ll guide you through lessons with:
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Interactive practice exercises
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Writing and speaking feedback
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Real-life examples
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Tips for common grammar challenges
Ready to level up your English?
Book a class with me today and let's practice using Active and Passive Sentences with real conversations, role-plays, and customized exercises!
Learning English can be fun, practical, and life-changing, and you don’t have to do it alone.
👉 Send me a message now and let’s get started!
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