This handout is also available for download in PDF format. We refer to a sentence as being in the "active voice" when the subject is performing the action of the sentence (the verb). A sentence is in ...

Noise. It's everywhere. Whether you're trying to study, work, or just unwind, distractions from the outside world seem relentless. Thankfully, technology has given us a way to block out that unwanted ...

Writing in the active voice makes the meaning clear while keeping sentences from becoming complicated and wordy. Sentences using passive voice are not necessarily wrong, just less effective than ...

Naira Velumyan, Ph.D., Communication/Relationship Coach, Etiquette Expert, Founder of the Academy of Social Competency.

Both describe the same facts. However, in each pair one sentence uses the active voice and one uses the passive voice. Which sentence would you use? That would depend on what tone you wanted to ...