A sentence is in the active voice when the subject is performing the action. The subject is the doer of the business in the expression but it is not every time it is allowed to play the role. At times, it is acted upon, giving rise to what is called the passive voice. So, in the passive voice, the object of the clause as well as the verb is elevated to the initial position while the otherwise landlord (subject) is edged to the rear and is thus subjugated:
They blamed the referee. (Active. THEY performed the action.)
The referee was blamed by them. (Passive. The REFEREE, which is the object, comes forward while the subject (THEY) receives the action.)
Mbappe will play the penalty. (Active)
The penalty will be played by Mbappe. (Passive)
Many experts argue that the active voice is more desirable than the passive. As a result, they urge that the latter be sparingly used. Although the passive voice has its own advantages, here are five factors that highlight the power of the active voice:
Prominent positioning
The active voice gives the doer the prominence and honour they deserve, according them good positioning. So, when you want the reader or listener to know the performer of the action, or you want to emphasise the role the subject plays, put the sentence in the active voice:
Bola built the house. (Nobody else did it.)
We cut the grass.
The Obafemi Awolowo government built the Cocoa House.
Authority
Close to the above is the issue of not robbing the subject of the authority it commands – especially when people in the positions of authority are involved:
The Ooni blessed the people during the festival. (Active voice.)
President Tinubu appointed him as a Special Adviser. (Active voice.)
Shorter and smarter
The active voice keeps the clause shorter and, usually in language, the shorter the smarter or better – unless you want to lengthen the expression for a particular effect:
He saw the men. (Active. Four words.)
The men were seen by him. (Passive. Six words.)
Adamu built the house. (Active)
The house was built by Adamu. (Passive)
Clarity
The active voice enhances clarity. If care is not taken, the passive voice can make a sentence draw like the statement of a drunk person. So, it is often advisable to explore the active which makes the sentence brisk and clearer.
I ate rice. (Active)
Rice was eaten by me. (Passive)
She needs a longer ruler – preferably a newer one. (Active)
A longer ruler is needed by her – preferable a smoother one.
Intransitive verbs
It is only the active voice that works with intransitive verbs. Remember, a transitive verb is the one that takes an object while the intransitive one does not.
Transitive: wash
I will wash the clothes. (Active)
The clothes will be washed by me. (Passive)
Intransitive: dance
I will dance. (Active)
Would you say ‘(Dance will be danced by me’? The fact is there can hardly be a sensible passive version of ‘I will dance’. In other words, a sentence whose verb is intransitive cannot be converted into the passive voice. In any case, it does not have the object that will usurp the role of the subject.
Functions of the passive voice
Note, however, that the above analysis does not suggest that the passive voice has no place in the English Language. It does. It is, for instance, useful when you do not know the doer of the action, when you know it but do not want to reveal it or when you want emphasis on the receiver rather than the doer of the action. Study the following examples and revisit the lesson we dedicated to the passive voice (November 22, 2016):
The table had been laid before I got there. (Whoever did so is not much of concern.)
I learnt the market was attacked yesterday.
The market has not been rebuilt.