Active and passive constructions

Remember our discussion of subjects? (If you need a review, click here.) A subject is "a word or phrase in a sentence that denotes the doer of the action [or] the receiver of the action in passive constructions."

To tell if a construction is active or passive simply look at the subject:

• If the subject is the "doer of the action," the sentence is active.
• If the subject is the "receiver of the action," the sentence is passive.

That's pretty easy. If you do something, you're active; if you have something done to you, you're passive. Compare the examples:

Active

• Peggy ate the bone.
• Big Dog chased the police car.
• We ate every bite of food.

Passive

• The bone was eaten by Peggy.
• The police car was chased by Big Dog.
• Every bite of food was eaten by us.

Generally, you want to make your sentences active whenever you can. Active sentences make your writing stronger, more forceful.

How about a "Self-Test" to see if you really understand.

© Scott Foll 2001. All rights reserved.