Narrative voice in literature can refer to the narrator or author’s emotions, attitude (e.g., formal or informal), tone (e.g., serious, lighthearted, witty, depressed), and point of view. Voice also helps establish the mood of a piece of writing.
Grammatical voice refers to the relationship between the subject and the action in a sentence. Though they both use the word “voice,” grammatical voice and narrative voice are different topics.
This post is about the difference between active and passive voice, which are both grammatical structures.
Grammatical voice is either active or passive.
What is passive voice?
Passive voice occurs when the action-doer of a sentence receives the action of the subject of the sentence instead of being the subject of the sentence. The subject of a sentence is the noun that the sentence is about. For example,
The book was read by John.
In this case, the action-doer, John, is receiving the action of the subject, the book.
Though you might want to use passive voice if the doer of the action is unknown or irrelevant, or if you want to emphasize the action, it is best to avoid it except for stylistic purposes.
Passive voice tends to create wordy sentences that are less direct and reduce clarity. It can also distance the reader from the action and make for awkward writing if overused.
What is active voice?
Active voice occurs when the subject of a sentence carries out the action of the verb. For example,
John read the book.
In this case, the action-doer, John, is also the subject of the sentence.
Readers generally prefer active voice because it is direct and shows that something is happening, moving the action forward. It clearly identifies who is performing the action, creating a sense of energy and immediacy. It also keeps the attention on the character doing the action, which helps create an immersive experience for the reader. Active voice is generally the better choice because it emphasizes the actor through a straightforward sentence structure.
How can you tell the difference?
Sentences using passive voice tend to have a version of the verb “to be” in them, and the action doers are usually at or near the end of a sentence. For example,
The coffee was brewed by Sheila.
In this sentence, “was” is a form of the verb “to be.” The subject is “the coffee,” and Sheila, the action-doer, receives the action and appears at the end of the sentence. Contrast this with
Sheila brewed the coffee.
Shifting to active voice eliminates the “to be” verb, and puts Sheila, the action doer, at the start of the sentence. This way, the fact that she is the subject of the sentence is clear, as is the action that she performs.
Here’s another one:
The report is being reviewed by the editor.
The action-doer is the editor, who appears at the end of the sentence. The subject of the sentence is “the report,” and the “to be” verb is “is being.” If we change it to active voice:
The editor reviewed the report.
Again, the action-doer is made the subject of the sentence, and what they are doing is made clearer by switching to active voice.
That said, not every use of “to be” indicates the passive voice. For example,
She is reading the report. => “is” is the “to be” verb form
The team was preparing the presentation. => “was” is the “to be” verb form
I am considering the options. => “am” is the “to be” verb form
In each of these sentences, the action-doer is up front and clear: “she,” “the team,” and “I.” Though the action verb is a form of “to be,” in each example, the subject is the action-doer.
There are, however, times when you will want to use passive voice. For example,
The window was left open overnight.
In this case, the fact that the window was left open is more important than who left it open. This is one situation where passive voice might be used stylistically, to emphasize the action over the action-doer.
How to spot passive voice
If your sentence follows this formula:
Subject + form of “to be” + past participle + optional “by” phrase
it is written in passive voice:
The emerald [subject] + was [form of “to be”] + stolen [past participle] + by the thief [optional “by” phrase].
To change this to active voice, put the doer of the action first:
The thief stole the emerald.
Key Takeaways
- Though active voice is usually preferred, there are times when you will want to write in passive voice for stylistic reasons.
- In a sentence written in passive voice,the action-doer is not the subject.
- the action-doer usually comes at or near the end of a sentence in passive voice.
- All sentences in passive voice contain a form of “to be,” but not all sentences containing a form of “to be” are in passive voice.
- To change a sentence from passive to active voice, bring the doer of the action to the front of the sentence and/or make them the subject of the sentence.
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