6 Questions
In the active voice, who performs the action in a sentence?
The subject
Which voice is recommended for better clarity and engagement by the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Manual?
Active voice
What is the structure of a sentence in the passive voice?
Subject-object-verb
When is it recommended to use passive voice according to the text?
When the subject is unknown or unimportant
Which part of a sentence becomes the subject in passive voice?
The object
Why does the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Manual prefer active voice?
For clarity and emphasis on the actor
Study Notes
Understanding Active and Passive Voice
Active and passive voice are two different methods of constructing sentences. Each has its unique characteristics and applications. Understanding the differences between them can significantly improve your writing skills by allowing you to choose the appropriate one for various situations.
In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. The structure is typically subject-verb-object. An example of this format is: "John ate the apple." In this sentence, John is the subject, "ate" is the verb, and "apple" is the object.
On the other hand, in the passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action. The structure is usually subject-verb-object. An example of this format is: "The apple was eaten by John." In this sentence, "apple" is the subject, "was eaten" is the verb, and "John" is the object.
Understanding the active and passive voice is crucial in writing, especially in academia. Many academic institutions recommend the use of the active voice for better clarity and engagement. For instance, the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Manual states that active voice is preferred due to its clarity and emphasis on the actor.
However, there are specific scenarios where passive voice may be beneficial. For example, when the subject of the sentence is unknown or unimportant, the passive voice can maintain the focus on the action itself. Additionally, passive voice can be used to achieve authoritativeness or to emphasize the object of the sentence.
It is essential to recognize the passive voice and know how to revise sentences from passive to active voice for better clarity and conciseness. In general, try to use the active voice whenever possible, but also consider when the passive voice may be appropriate.
Learn about the differences between active and passive voice in sentence construction. Discover how to identify and utilize each type effectively to enhance your writing skills and clarity. Explore when to use active voice for engagement and when passive voice can be beneficial for specific scenarios.
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