MAP 6th Grade Language Usage
A comprehensive course covering grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and writing skills for 6th graders preparing for the MAP test.
Advanced Topics
Active and Passive Voice
Making Your Writing Clear: Active vs. Passive Voice
In English, verbs can be active or passive. The voice changes who or what is doing the action.
Active Voice
The subject does the action.
- "The dog chased the ball."
Passive Voice
The subject receives the action.
- "The ball was chased by the dog."
Why It Matters
Active voice is usually clearer and more direct. Use passive voice only when you want to highlight the action or when the "doer" isn't important.
Real-World Application
News reports, instructions, and stories are easier to follow when written in active voice.
Examples
The teacher graded the tests. (active)
The tests were graded by the teacher. (passive)
In a Nutshell
Active voice makes your writing clearer; passive voice is useful in some situations.