Choosing between active and passive voice is an important part of learning English grammar. Both structures allow you to describe actions, but they place emphasis on different parts of a sentence.

Compare these two examples:

• Active voice: The teacher explained the lesson.
• Passive voice: The lesson was explained by the teacher.

Both sentences describe the same event. However, the active sentence focuses on the person performing the action, while the passive sentence focuses on the lesson.

Understanding the difference between active and passive voice helps you write clearer sentences, communicate more naturally, and choose the right tone for different situations. Active voice is common in everyday conversations and direct writing, while passive voice is useful when the action or its result is more important than the person responsible.

In this guide, you will learn the rules for active and passive voice, how to form passive sentences in different tenses, how to transform active sentences into passive ones, and when to use each structure. You will also find examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises to help you apply what you learn.

What Is Active Voice in English?

Active voice is a sentence structure in which the subject performs the action expressed by the verb.

The basic structure is:

Subject + Verb + Object

For example:

• The student completed the assignment.
• The company launched a new product.
• My brother repaired the computer.
• The manager approved the request.

In each sentence, the subject performs the action.

Consider this example:

The chef prepared the meal.

• Subject: The chef
• Verb: prepared
• Object: the meal

The chef performs the action of preparing, so the sentence is in active voice.

When Should You Use Active Voice?

Active voice is usually the best choice when you want to communicate information clearly and directly.

It is particularly useful in the following situations.

1. Everyday conversations

Active voice makes sentences natural and easy to understand.

Examples:

• I called my friend yesterday.
• She bought a new laptop.
• We watched a film last night.

2. Clear and direct writing

Active voice makes it easy for readers to identify who is responsible for an action.

Examples:

• The team completed the project on time.
• The school organised an English competition.
• Our teacher explained the grammar rules.

3. Instructions and professional communication

Active voice often makes instructions more straightforward.

Examples:

• Please submit your application by Friday.
• The manager will contact you tomorrow.
• We will send the confirmation email shortly.

4. Academic and IELTS writing

Active voice is useful when you want to present an argument, explain a process, or identify the people responsible for an action.

For example:

“The researchers analysed the results and identified three major patterns.”

This sentence clearly identifies who performed the analysis.

Active voice is not always better than passive voice, however. The appropriate choice depends on what you want to emphasise.

What Is Passive Voice in English?

Passive voice is a sentence structure in which the subject receives the action rather than performing it.

The basic structure is:

Subject + Form of Be + Past Participle

For example:

• The assignment was completed.
• A new product was launched.
• The computer was repaired.
• The request was approved.

In these sentences, the subject receives the action.

Consider the following example:

The meal was prepared by the chef.

• Subject: The meal
• Verb phrase: was prepared
• Agent: the chef

The meal does not perform the action. It receives it, so the sentence is in passive voice.

How Is Passive Voice Formed?

To form the passive voice, use the appropriate form of the verb be followed by the past participle of the main verb.

For example:

• Active: The student writes the report.
• Passive: The report is written by the student.

The active sentence uses writes, while the passive sentence uses is written.

The form of be changes according to the tense and subject:

• Present simple: is written
• Past simple: was written
• Present continuous: is being written
• Past continuous: was being written
• Present perfect: has been written
• Past perfect: had been written
• Future simple: will be written

The main verb remains in its past participle form.

For regular verbs, the past participle often ends in -ed, as in completed or prepared. Irregular verbs have different forms, such as written, taken, made, and built.

Active vs Passive Voice: Key Differences

The main difference between active and passive voice is the focus of the sentence.

Feature	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Main focus	The person or thing performing the action	The person or thing receiving the action
Basic structure	Subject + Verb + Object	Subject + Be + Past Participle
Example	The teacher marked the test.	The test was marked by the teacher.
Emphasis	The teacher’s action	The test and its result
Agent	Usually appears as the subject	May appear after by or be omitted
Common use	Direct communication and everyday writing	Formal reports, processes, and situations where the agent is unknown or less important

Compare Active and Passive Sentences

Example 1: Education

Active: The teacher corrected the essays.

Passive: The essays were corrected by the teacher.

The active version emphasises the teacher. The passive version places the essays first.

Example 2: Business

Active: The company introduced a new policy.

Passive: A new policy was introduced by the company.

The passive version is useful when the policy is the main subject of discussion.

Example 3: Everyday life

Active: Someone stole my bicycle.

Passive: My bicycle was stolen.

The passive version is natural when the speaker wants to focus on the bicycle rather than the unknown person responsible.

Example 4: Academic writing

Active: The researchers collected the data.

Passive: The data were collected.

The passive version focuses on the data collection process. The agent can be omitted when it is already clear or not relevant.

Neither voice is automatically more correct. Choose the structure that communicates your intended meaning most effectively.

How to Change Active Voice Into Passive Voice

Changing an active sentence into passive voice requires several steps. You need to identify the object, move it to the beginning of the sentence, choose the correct form of be, and use the past participle of the main verb.

Step 1: Identify the Subject, Verb and Object

Start by identifying the main parts of the active sentence.

Example:

The students completed the project.

• Subject: the students
• Verb: completed
• Object: the project

The object is the part that receives the action. In a typical passive transformation, this object becomes the subject of the passive sentence.

Step 2: Move the Object to the Beginning

Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position.

Active: The students completed the project.

Passive: The project …

Step 3: Choose the Correct Form of “Be”

The form of be must match the tense of the original verb.

The original sentence uses the past simple, so the passive sentence also uses the past simple:

The project was …

Step 4: Use the Past Participle

Change the main verb to its past participle.

• Complete → completed
• Write → written
• Make → made
• Build → built

The sentence now becomes:

The project was completed.

Step 5: Add “By” If Necessary

If you need to identify the person or thing responsible for the action, add by followed by the agent.

The project was completed by the students.

The agent is not always necessary. If the identity of the person performing the action is unknown, obvious, or unimportant, you can leave it out.

For example:

• Active: Someone damaged the door.
• Passive: The door was damaged.

The passive sentence is complete without identifying the person responsible.

Complete Transformation Examples

Active Sentence	Passive Sentence
The teacher explains the lesson.	The lesson is explained by the teacher.
The students completed the task.	The task was completed by the students.
Sarah is writing a report.	A report is being written by Sarah.
They have repaired the road.	The road has been repaired.
The company will launch the product.	The product will be launched by the company.
Someone had locked the door.	The door had been locked.

Remember that the tense must remain consistent. Changing active to passive changes the sentence structure, not the time of the action.

Active and Passive Voice in Different Tenses

One of the most important passive voice rules is choosing the correct form of be. The following table shows how common tenses change from active to passive voice.

The examples use verbs that take a direct object, because only transitive verbs can normally form the standard passive structure.

Tense	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Present simple	They clean the office.	The office is cleaned.
Past simple	They cleaned the office.	The office was cleaned.
Future simple	They will clean the office.	The office will be cleaned.
Present continuous	They are cleaning the office.	The office is being cleaned.
Past continuous	They were cleaning the office.	The office was being cleaned.
Present perfect	They have cleaned the office.	The office has been cleaned.
Past perfect	They had cleaned the office.	The office had been cleaned.
Future perfect	They will have cleaned the office.	The office will have been cleaned.
Modal verb	They must clean the office.	The office must be cleaned.

Present Simple Passive

Use:

Am / Is / Are + Past Participle

Examples:

• Active: The school teaches English.
• Passive: English is taught at the school.
• Active: People use this app worldwide.
• Passive: This app is used worldwide.
• Active: The company produces electronic equipment.
• Passive: Electronic equipment is produced by the company.

Use the present simple passive for routines, general processes, and facts.

Past Simple Passive

Use:

Was / Were + Past Participle

Examples:

• Active: The police arrested the suspect.
• Passive: The suspect was arrested.
• Active: The team won the competition.
• Passive: The competition was won by the team.
• Active: The company opened a new office.
• Passive: A new office was opened by the company.

Use the past simple passive when the action occurred at a completed time in the past.

Present Continuous Passive

Use:

Am / Is / Are + Being + Past Participle

Examples:

• Active: The workers are painting the building.
• Passive: The building is being painted.
• Active: The chef is preparing dinner.
• Passive: Dinner is being prepared.
• Active: The technicians are testing the equipment.
• Passive: The equipment is being tested.

This structure emphasises an action that is in progress.

Present Perfect Passive

Use:

Has / Have + Been + Past Participle

Examples:

• Active: The team has completed the project.
• Passive: The project has been completed.
• Active: Someone has stolen my phone.
• Passive: My phone has been stolen.
• Active: They have updated the website.
• Passive: The website has been updated.

The present perfect passive is useful when the result of a completed action is important in the present.

Future Simple Passive

Use:

Will + Be + Past Participle

Examples:

• Active: The manager will announce the results.
• Passive: The results will be announced by the manager.
• Active: They will deliver the package tomorrow.
• Passive: The package will be delivered tomorrow.
• Active: The school will publish the timetable.
• Passive: The timetable will be published by the school.

Use this structure to describe actions that will happen in the future.

Passive Voice With Modal Verbs

Modal verbs such as can, could, should, must, and might can also be used in passive sentences.

The structure is:

Modal Verb + Be + Past Participle

Examples:

• Active: You must complete the form.
• Passive: The form must be completed.
• Active: They can solve the problem.
• Passive: The problem can be solved.
• Active: The school should inform the parents.
• Passive: The parents should be informed.
• Active: Someone might cancel the meeting.
• Passive: The meeting might be cancelled.

Modal verbs express ability, possibility, obligation, advice, or other meanings. The passive structure keeps the modal verb unchanged and adds be before the past participle.

When Should You Use Passive Voice?

Passive voice is useful when the action, result, or recipient is more important than the person performing the action.

Here are some situations in which passive voice is a good choice.

1. When the Agent Is Unknown

Sometimes you do not know who performed the action.

Examples:

• My wallet was stolen.
• The window was broken last night.
• The documents have been misplaced.

In these cases, identifying the agent is impossible or unnecessary.

2. When the Agent Is Obvious

You may not need to identify the person responsible because the context already makes it clear.

Examples:

• The criminal was arrested.
• The patient was examined.
• The road was repaired.

The focus is on what happened, not necessarily who performed the action.

3. When the Result Is More Important

Passive voice helps you emphasise a result or an object.

Examples:

• The application has been approved.
• The building was completed in 2024.
• The final decision will be announced tomorrow.

These sentences focus on the application, building, and decision.

4. In Academic and Scientific Writing

Passive voice is often used to describe procedures, experiments, and processes when the focus is on the method or result.

Examples:

• The samples were stored at a controlled temperature.
• The data were analysed using statistical software.
• The experiment was repeated three times.

However, passive voice is not compulsory in academic writing. Active sentences can be equally appropriate when the researcher or another agent needs to be identified.

For example:

“The researchers analysed the results.”

This active sentence is clear and direct.

5. In News Reports and Formal Announcements

News reports and announcements often use passive voice when the event is more important than the agent.

Examples:

• The new policy was announced on Monday.
• Several roads were closed because of the storm.
• The final results will be released next week.

Passive voice helps keep the focus on the event or information being communicated.

When Should You Use Active Voice Instead?

Although passive voice has several useful applications, active voice is often preferable when it makes the sentence shorter, clearer, or more direct.

1. When the Person Responsible Matters

If the identity of the person performing an action is important, active voice is often the better choice.

Passive: The mistake was made by the assistant.

Active: The assistant made the mistake.

The active version is more direct.

2. When You Want Clear Instructions

Active voice is often easier to understand in instructions, emails, and everyday communication.

Less direct: The form should be completed by all applicants.

More direct: All applicants should complete the form.

Both sentences are grammatically correct, but the active version identifies the people responsible for completing the form.

3. When Passive Voice Makes a Sentence Unnecessarily Long

Passive constructions can sometimes make writing wordy.

Wordy: The decision was made by the committee after the proposal had been reviewed by its members.

Clearer: The committee reviewed the proposal and then made its decision.

The active version communicates the sequence of events more directly.

4. When You Want Natural Conversation

Active voice is very common in everyday English conversations.

For example:

• I forgot my password.
• She sent me a message.
• We finished the assignment.
• They changed the schedule.

Passive voice is also used in conversation, but active voice is often more natural when the person performing the action is known and relevant.

Can Every Active Sentence Be Changed Into Passive Voice?

No. A sentence usually needs a transitive verb with a direct object to form the standard passive structure.

A transitive verb transfers an action to an object.

For example:

Active: The child kicked the ball.

The verb kicked has a direct object: the ball.

Passive: The ball was kicked by the child.

However, some verbs do not take direct objects.

Examples:

• The baby slept.
• The guests arrived.
• She laughed.
• The train departed.

These sentences do not have direct objects, so they cannot normally be transformed into standard passive sentences.

For example:

Incorrect: The bed was slept by the baby.

Correct: The baby slept in the bed.

The verb slept does not take the bed as a direct object in this sentence.

Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive depending on how they are used.

Compare:

• The door opened. — No direct object; active intransitive use.
• Someone opened the door. — Direct object: the door.
• The door was opened. — Passive form.

The key question is whether the active sentence contains a direct object that can become the subject of the passive sentence.

Common Active and Passive Voice Mistakes

English learners often make mistakes when changing active sentences into passive ones. Understanding these errors can help you build more accurate sentences.

Incorrect Sentence	Correct Sentence	Explanation
The report written by Sarah.	The report was written by Sarah.	A passive sentence needs the appropriate form of be.
The room cleaned every day.	The room is cleaned every day.	The present simple passive requires is, am, or are.
The letter was wrote by Ali.	The letter was written by Ali.	Use the past participle, not the past simple form.
The work has completed.	The work has been completed.	The present perfect passive requires has/have been + past participle.
The problem can solved.	The problem can be solved.	Modal passive structures require be before the past participle.
The car was repaired the mechanic.	The car was repaired by the mechanic.	Use by when identifying the agent.
The accident was happened yesterday.	The accident happened yesterday.	Happen is intransitive and does not normally form the passive.
The students were gave instructions.	The students were given instructions.	Use the past participle given.
The project is being complete.	The project is being completed.	Use the past participle after being.
The results will announced tomorrow.	The results will be announced tomorrow.	Future passive requires will be + past participle.

A helpful way to avoid these mistakes is to check every passive sentence for three elements:

1. Is the correct form of be present?
2. Is the main verb in its past participle form?
3. Does the tense match the intended meaning?

If you can answer yes to all three questions, your passive construction is likely to be grammatically correct.

Active vs Passive Voice in IELTS Writing

Understanding active and passive voice can help IELTS candidates produce more accurate and appropriate sentences.

However, using passive voice frequently does not automatically lead to a higher writing score. What matters is whether you use grammatical structures accurately and appropriately for the task.

Active Voice for Clear Arguments

Active voice is useful when presenting opinions, explaining causes, or describing the actions of people and organisations.

Examples:

• Governments should invest more money in public transport.
• Many companies allow employees to work remotely.
• Technology has changed the way people communicate.

These sentences identify the subjects performing the actions and make the arguments clear.

Passive Voice for Processes and Results

Passive voice can be useful when describing processes, changes, or results.

Examples:

• The raw materials are transported to the factory.
• The products are inspected before delivery.
• The final figures were recorded at the end of the experiment.

This structure can be particularly useful when describing a process in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

Choosing the Right Voice in an Essay

Consider this example:

Active: Governments should introduce stricter environmental regulations.

Passive: Stricter environmental regulations should be introduced by governments.

Both sentences are grammatically correct. The active version is generally more direct and concise. The passive version places more emphasis on the regulations.

Choose the sentence that best supports the point you are making.

For IELTS writing, aim to use a natural mixture of structures where appropriate. Avoid changing every active sentence into passive voice simply to make your writing appear more formal.

Practice Exercises: Active vs Passive Voice

Now test your understanding with the following exercises. Try to complete each section before checking the answers.

Exercise 1: Identify the Voice

Decide whether each sentence is written in active or passive voice.

1. The teacher explained the instructions.
2. The instructions were explained by the teacher.
3. Someone has stolen my bicycle.
4. My bicycle has been stolen.
5. The company will publish the results tomorrow.
6. The results will be published tomorrow.
7. The students are completing the assignment.
8. The assignment is being completed by the students.

Exercise 2: Change Active Voice Into Passive Voice

Rewrite the following sentences in passive voice.

1. The chef prepared the dinner.
2. The school teaches English.
3. The company has launched a new product.
4. The workers are repairing the road.
5. The manager will announce the results.
6. Someone had broken the window.
7. The students must complete the exercise.
8. The police arrested the suspect.

Exercise 3: Change Passive Voice Into Active Voice

Rewrite each sentence in active voice. If the agent is not given, choose a reasonable subject where appropriate.

1. The report was written by Maria.
2. The classroom is cleaned every afternoon by the staff.
3. The invitation has been sent by Ahmed.
4. The road is being repaired by the workers.
5. The final decision will be announced by the manager.

Exercise 4: Choose the Correct Answer

1. The documents _____ yesterday.

A. signed
B. were signed
C. were sign

2. The company _____ a new office next month.

A. will open
B. will be opened
C. will opening

3. English _____ in many countries.

A. speaks
B. is spoken
C. is speaking

4. The meal is being _____ by the chef.

A. prepare
B. prepared
C. preparing

5. The problem must _____ immediately.

A. solve
B. be solved
C. be solve

6. The researchers _____ the data last week.

A. analysed
B. were analysed
C. was analysed

Answers and Explanations

Exercise 1

1. Active — The teacher performs the action.
2. Passive — The instructions receive the action.
3. Active — Someone performs the action of stealing.
4. Passive — The bicycle receives the action.
5. Active — The company performs the action of publishing.
6. Passive — The results receive the action.
7. Active — The students perform the action.
8. Passive — The assignment receives the action.

Exercise 2

1. The dinner was prepared by the chef.
2. English is taught by the school.
3. A new product has been launched by the company.
4. The road is being repaired by the workers.
5. The results will be announced by the manager.
6. The window had been broken.
7. The exercise must be completed by the students.
8. The suspect was arrested by the police.

Exercise 3

1. Maria wrote the report.
2. The staff clean the classroom every afternoon.
3. Ahmed has sent the invitation.
4. The workers are repairing the road.
5. The manager will announce the final decision.

Exercise 4

1. B — were signed.
2. A — will open.
3. B — is spoken.
4. B — prepared.
5. B — be solved.
6. A — analysed.

In Exercise 2, the agent has been omitted in sentence 6 because the original sentence does not identify who broke the window. In passive voice, the agent can be left out when it is unknown or unnecessary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Active vs Passive Voice

What is the main difference between active and passive voice?

In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the subject receives the action. For example, “The teacher marked the test” is active, while “The test was marked by the teacher” is passive.

What is the formula for passive voice?

The basic passive structure is subject + the appropriate form of be + past participle. For example, “They built the house” becomes “The house was built.” The form of be changes according to the tense.

How do you change an active sentence into passive voice?

Identify the object of the active sentence, move it to the beginning, use the correct form of be, and change the main verb to its past participle. Add by followed by the agent if identifying the person performing the action is useful.

When should you use passive voice?

Use passive voice when the action or result is more important than the person performing it, when the agent is unknown, or when you want to focus on a process. It is common in reports, scientific descriptions, and process explanations.

Is active voice better than passive voice?

Neither structure is always better. Active voice is usually direct and concise, while passive voice is useful when you want to emphasise the action or its recipient. The best choice depends on your intended meaning and context.

Can all verbs be used in passive voice?

No. Standard passive constructions generally require a transitive verb with a direct object. Intransitive verbs such as arrive, sleep, and happen do not normally form passive sentences.

Is passive voice useful for IELTS Writing?

Yes. Passive voice can help describe processes, results, and changes, particularly in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. However, frequent use of passive voice does not guarantee a higher score. Accurate grammar, clear ideas, and appropriate sentence structures are more important.

How can I improve my use of active and passive voice?

Practise identifying subjects, verbs, and objects in sentences. Then rewrite active sentences in passive voice and compare the emphasis of both versions. Studying grammar systematically and receiving feedback on your writing can help you recognise and correct recurring errors.

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