Worried you’ve been told to never use the passive? The truth on active vs passive voice is simpler: default to active, and choose passive when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
For the wider picture, read the writing and language basics on this site.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Grammatical voices in English | Two: active and passive |
| Active voice | The subject performs the action of the verb |
| Passive voice | The subject receives the action of the verb |
| Passive structure | Object, auxiliary verb, past participle, optional “by” agent |
| Best default | Active voice, usually the appropriate option |
| Best time for passive | When the doer is unknown or irrelevant, or the receiver matters more |
These figures come from Grammarly’s voice guide (updated November 6, 2024) and the Santa Clara University Writing Center. Style advice can change, so check the sources before you rely on it.
How active and passive voice differ
In active voice, the subject performs the action of the verb: “The dog chased the cat.” In passive voice, the subject receives the action: “The cat was chased by the dog.” Grammarly calls these the two grammatical voices in English and says neither is inherently better than the other.
The passive has a recognisable shape. Editage describes it as the object, then an auxiliary verb, then a past participle, with the agent optionally added after “by”. That is why a “to be” verb plus a past participle, such as “was played”, is the quickest clue.
The Santa Clara University Writing Center shows how the same event can be written three ways:
- Active: “Local college students played soccer all day at the park, attracting spectators from across town.”
- Passive, agent missing: “Soccer was played all day at the park, attracting spectators from across town.”
- Passive, agent after the verb: “Soccer was played all day at the park by local college students, attracting spectators from across town.”
The second version leaves readers with only a partial picture, because they cannot tell who played. The third names the doer, but the sentence is longer and the actor trails behind the verb.
Why active voice is the usual default
The Santa Clara University Writing Center says active voice is usually the appropriate option, though the passive has its place. It adds that readers will find active writing easier to follow.
Editage compares paired sentences, such as “Action on the bill is being considered by the committee” and “The committee is considering action on the bill.” In each pair, the active version is shorter, places the actor first and expresses the action more directly, according to Editage.
Passive sentences can also sound stiff. Grammarly’s example is “Ice cream is wanted by me now” in place of “I want ice cream now.”
Active verbs help most when you want a reader to see who does what. For fiction and scene work, these show don’t tell examples pair well with a strong-subject, strong-verb habit.
When passive voice is the better choice
The passive is not a mistake. Grammarly advises active voice for clarity and directness, and passive voice to emphasise the action or recipient, or when the doer is unknown or irrelevant.
Good reasons to choose the passive include:
- The doer is unknown or unimportant. Naming a vague “someone” adds clutter.
- The receiver deserves the spotlight. The Santa Clara University Writing Center offers “The cartoon was intended for kids, but adults seem to enjoy it more because of its serious themes.” Adding “producers” could distract from the cartoon and its effect on kids and adults.
- The ending needs weight. You can state the subject at the end of the sentence for emphasis, as in “Their minds can only be settled by the refreshing scent of green mint leaves.”
- The research object leads. Editage lists emphasising the object of research and omitting an unknown actor as accepted uses.
The common thread is purpose. The Santa Clara University Writing Center says you can purposefully set aside active voice so the subject does not eclipse a more essential part of the sentence. If you cannot name the purpose, use the active.
How to spot and fix passive voice
Passive voice is easy to miss in your own draft. The Santa Clara University Writing Center notes that we sometimes use it unintentionally and may skim over it while editing.
Work through each suspect sentence in this order:
- Find the clue: a “to be” verb followed by a past participle, such as “was played”.
- Ask who or what is performing the action. If the sentence does not say, decide whether the reader needs to know.
- If the doer matters, make it the subject, followed by the verb and object. Grammarly gives this same fix: identify the true subject and make it the focus.
- If the doer does not matter, keep the passive and check that the sentence still reads clearly.
Practising this on real drafts builds the habit. For more routines like it, see our tips on how to improve writing skills.
Does the right voice change by type of writing?
It can. Editage says some disciplines have long defaulted to the passive as a marker of objectivity. It adds that leading journals, university writing centers and style manuals consistently recommend prioritising active voice wherever appropriate.
In research papers, the passive earns a place in Methods sections, where it can achieve an objective tone, and where first-person pronouns are not allowed. Editage’s example pair is “We collected the samples” and “The samples were collected.”
Whichever voice you pick, check the journal guidelines, which Editage lists as the last step when revising passive sentences. Its key advice is to let consistency, conciseness and clarity guide every voice decision when in doubt.
Frequently asked questions
Is passive voice always wrong?
Show answer
No. Editage says passive voice is not incorrect and serves specific purposes, such as emphasising the object of research or omitting an unknown actor. The Santa Clara University Writing Center agrees that it has its place.
Should I use active voice for everything?
Show answer
Active voice is the better default, but not a rule without exceptions. Grammarly says active voice typically makes writing more engaging and dynamic, while passive can emphasise the action or the recipient rather than the doer.
How can I tell if a sentence is passive?
Show answer
Look for a “to be” verb followed by a past participle, as in “was played”. Then ask who or what is performing the action and whether the sentence names them.
Why can passive sentences cause dangling modifiers?
Show answer
Editage defines a dangling modifier as a word or phrase that modifies the wrong subject, often caused by omitting the implied agent in a passive construction. Naming the doer usually fixes it.
