Voice plays a crucial role in shaping the impact and effectiveness of writing, influencing how the message is understood, received, and appreciated by the audience. Here are several reasons why voice is significant:

3 Crucial Reasons For Using “Voice” In English

1. 1. Clarity: Voice helps convey the relationship between the subject, the action, and the object in a sentence, thereby enhancing clarity. By choosing the appropriate voice—active or passive—writers can ensure that their message is communicated clearly and effectively to the reader.
   2. Emphasis: Voice allows writers to control the emphasis within a sentence, highlighting either the subject performing the action (active voice) or the action itself or the object receiving the action (passive voice). This helps writers direct the reader’s attention to the most important elements of their writing and convey their intended meaning more effectively.
   3. Tone and Style: Voice contributes significantly to the tone and style of writing. Whether the tone is formal, informal, authoritative, or conversational, the choice of voice can shape the overall tone and style of the text. By selecting the appropriate voice, writers can establish the desired tone and style, making their writing more engaging and impactful.

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VOICE

In grammar, voice refers to the form of a verb that indicates whether the subject of the sentence is performing the action (active voice) or receiving the action (passive voice).

In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb. For example, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” “cat” is the subject performing the action of chasing.

In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb. For example, in the passive voice version of the previous sentence, “The mouse was chased by the cat,” “mouse” is the subject receiving the action of being chased.

Understanding and correctly using active and passive voice can help writers vary their sentence structure and emphasize different elements in their writing.

3 BEST TIMES TO USE “ACTIVE” AND “PASSIVE” VOICE

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the context, purpose, and emphasis of the sentence. Here’s a guideline on when it’s best to use each:

Active Voice:

1. 1. When Emphasizing the Subject’s Action: Use active voice when you want to emphasize the subject of the sentence and highlight the action it is performing. This is especially effective for making sentences clear, direct, and engaging. Example: “The chef prepared the meal.”
   2. In Writing that Requires Clarity and Directness: Active voice is preferred in most types of writing, including journalistic, business, and creative writing, where clarity and directness are essential for effective communication. Example: “The company launched a new product.”
   3. When You Want to Keep the Focus on the Subject: Active voice is ideal for keeping the focus on the subject of the sentence, particularly when the subject is the primary actor or agent in the sentence. Example: “She solved the problem quickly.”

Passive Voice:

1. 1. When Emphasizing the Action or Object: Use passive voice when you want to emphasize the action or the object of the action rather than the subject. This is useful when the subject is unknown, less important, or should be de-emphasized. Example: “The meal was prepared by the chef.”
   2. In Formal or Scientific Writing: Passive voice is often preferred in formal or scientific writing, such as academic papers, reports, and technical documents, to maintain objectivity and focus on the actions or processes rather than the individuals performing them. Example: “The data were analyzed using statistical software.”
   3. To Avoid Assigning Blame or Responsibility: Passive voice can be useful for avoiding assigning blame or responsibility, particularly in sensitive or diplomatic situations where it’s important to maintain a neutral tone. Example: “Mistakes were made.”

Ultimately, the choice between active and passive voice should be guided by the specific requirements of the writing task, the intended audience, and the writer’s stylistic preferences. It’s important to use each voice judiciously to enhance clarity, emphasis, and effectiveness in communication.

EXAMPLES

Active Voice:

1. 1. The chef prepared the meal.
   2. The company launched a new product.
   3. The dog chased the cat.

Passive Voice:

1. 1. The meal was prepared by the chef.
   2. A new product was launched by the company.
   3. The cat was chased by the dog.

Irregular verbs can present unique forms in both active and passive voices. Here are three examples each:

Active Voice:

1. 1. Present Tense: I drive a car.
   2. Past Tense: She sang a song.
   3. Present Perfect Tense: They have eaten dinner.

Passive Voice:

1. 1. Present Tense: The car is driven by me.
   2. Past Tense: The song was sung by her.
   3. Present Perfect Tense: Dinner has been eaten by them.

In these examples, the irregular verbs “drive,” “sing,” and “eat” change form according to tense in both active and passive voices.

Voice Image
Examples