ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
Name :
Nim :
Prodi
Fakultal
Universitas
PREFACE
We would like to begin by expressing our gratitude and thanks to the Almighty God for His blessings, grace, and guidance throughout the process of writing this paper. The purpose of this paper is to delve into the usage of active and passive voice in written communication, specifically focusing on the English language. We extend our appreciation to the readers for taking the time to engage with this paper.
In the realm of written communication, the usage of active and passive voice plays a pivotal role in conveying messages accurately and clearly. The choice between the two influences how information is presented and the emphasis placed on the subject or object within a sentence.
Hence, a solid understanding of the usage of active and passive voice is crucial for effective and efficient writing in English.
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the usage of active and passive voice, the related sentence structures, and the differences and implications in written communication. We will analyze examples of active and passive voice usage in various writing contexts, explore the strengths and weaknesses of each voice, and offer practical guidance in selecting the appropriate voice based on the needs of written communication.
We would like to express our gratitude to our advisor and all those who have provided support, both directly and indirectly, in the writing of this paper. We also hope that this paper will provide insights and benefits to the readers, enhancing their understanding and proficiency in utilizing active and passive voice in written communication.
In conclusion, we acknowledge that this paper may have its limitations and shortcomings.
Therefore, constructive feedback and criticism from the readers are highly valued for future improvement.
We sincerely hope that this paper proves to be valuable and contributes significantly to the development of the English language and effective written communication.
Thank you.
The Authors
Table Of Content
PREFACE...i
TABLE OF CONTENT...ii
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION...1
A. Background...1
B. Purpose of the paper...1
C. Problem formulation...1
CHAPTER II : THEORETICAL STUDY OR DISCUSSION...2
A. Active Voice...2
B. Passive Voice...3
C. The Difference Between Active and Passive Voice...4
D. Use of Active and Passive Voice...4
CHAPTER III : CONCLUSION ...6
A. Conclusion ...6
BIBLIOGRAPHY...7
Chapter I Introduction A.
Background
The usage of active and passive voice in the English language is a crucial aspect of written communication. The distinction between the two influences the way messages are conveyed, and the appropriate choice between them can impact the clarity, emphasis, and impression intended in a text. Therefore, a deep understanding of the usage of active and passive voice, as well as the implications that arise, is highly important for writing effectively and efficiently in English.
Understanding active and passive voice involves comprehending sentence structures, subjects, objects, and their roles in delivering messages. Active voice emphasizes the subject as the doer of the action, while passive voice emphasizes the object as the receiver of the action. In many cases, active voice is used to provide clear and direct explanations, whereas passive voice is employed to shift the focus to the object or to avoid mentioning the subject.
In academic writing contexts, the appropriate usage of active and passive voice is particularly crucial. For instance, in scientific research, the emphasis is often placed on the research findings or observations rather than the researchers themselves. Therefore, passive voice is more commonly utilized in this type of writing.
However, there are also cases where the usage of active voice is preferred, such as in news writing or reporting, where emphasizing the doer of the action is essential for providing clear and direct information to the readers.
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the usage of active and passive voice in written communication. The research will analyze examples of active and passive voice usage in various writing contexts, as well as the implications and impact on understanding and the effectiveness of conveyed messages. Additionally, the differences and unique characteristics of each voice will be explained, along with situations where the use of one is more appropriate. It is hoped that this paper will provide insights and practical guidance for writers in selecting and effectively using active and passive voice in written communication in English.
B.
Purpose of the paper
1. To examine the concept and characteristics of active and passive voice 2. To analyze the advantages and disadvantages of active and passive voice 3. To explore the impact of voice on written communication
C.
Problem formulation
1. What are the differences between active and passive voice?
2. What is active and passive voice?
3. How to use active and passive voice?
Chapter II
Theoretical Study or Discussion
A. Active Voice
Active voice is one of the two voices in the English language, with the other voice being passive voice. Active voice is used when the subject of the sentence performs an action or an action is done to the object. In active voice, the subject acts as the main doer in the sentence, while the object receives the action.
To better understand active voice, here are some examples of sentences in active voice:
1. "John washes the car."
2. "She sings a song."
3. "The company is launching a new product."
In the above examples, the subject (John, She, The company) performs a direct action on the object (the car, a song, a new product). These sentences consist of a subject, a verb, and an object.
The advantages of using active voice are clear and direct communication. Sentences in active voice emphasize the main doer, making the sentences easier to understand and more engaging for readers or listeners. Active voice is also commonly used in scientific writing or in writing that requires clarity and certainty.
However, there are some cases where passive voice is more appropriate, such as when the emphasis is on the object rather than the doer of the action, when the subject is unknown or unimportant, or when the writer wants to diminish the power or responsibility of the doer.
It's important to note that in active voice, singular subjects use verbs in singular form, while plural subjects use verbs in plural form. For example:
1. "He runs."
2. "They run."
In summary, active voice is a sentence construction in which the subject acts as the
main doer and directly performs an action on the object. The use of active voice
provides clarity and emphasizes the doer of the action, making it more commonly
used in everyday writing and communication
B. Passive Voice
Passive voice is the opposite of active voice in English grammar. In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. The focus is on the object or the receiver of the action rather than the doer.
To form a passive voice sentence, the object of an active voice sentence becomes the subject, and the verb is changed to a passive form using a form of the auxiliary verb
"to be" (e.g., is, am, are, was, were) along with the past participle of the main verb.
Additionally, the doer of the action (if mentioned) is introduced with the preposition
"by."
Let's look at some examples of passive voice sentences:
1. Active Voice: "John washes the car."
Passive Voice: "The car is washed by John."
2. Active Voice: "She sings a song."
Passive Voice: "A song is sung by her."
3. Active Voice: "They are building a house."
Passive Voice: "A house is being built by them."
In the above examples, the focus is on the object (the car, a song, a house) as they become the subject of the passive voice sentence. The auxiliary verb "is/are" or
"was/were" is used along with the past participle form of the main verb (washed, sung, built). The doer of the action (John, her, them) is introduced with the preposition "by" in the passive voice sentence.
Passive voice is used in various situations, including:
1. When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant:
"The window was broken." (We don't know who broke the window.) 2. When the focus is on the object or the action received:
"The book was written by a famous author." (Emphasis on the book being written.)
3. When discussing general truths or observations:
"Mistakes are made by everyone." (A general observation about mistakes.)
4. In formal or scientific writing:
While passive voice has its uses, it is generally advised to use active voice for clearer and more direct communication. Active voice often provides more concise and engaging sentences by emphasizing the doer of the action. However, there are situations where passive voice can be appropriate or necessary, depending on the context and intended emphasis.
C. The Difference Between Active and Passive Voice
The difference between active and passive voice lies in the structure and focus of a sentence.
In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action, while in passive voice, the subject receives the action.
Here's an example to illustrate the difference:
Active voice: "John built the house." In this sentence, "John" is the subject and the doer of the action ("built"), which is the verb. The focus is on John as the one performing the action.
Passive voice: "The house was built by John." In this sentence, "The house" is the subject, but it is receiving the action ("built") rather than performing it. The focus is on the house and the fact that it was built, rather than on John.
Here are a few key points to note about active and passive voice:
Active voice:
1. The subject performs the action.
2. It often sounds more direct and concise.
3. It is generally preferred for most types of writing unless there is a specific reason to use the passive voice.
Passive voice:
1. The subject receives the action.
2. It can be used to shift the focus from the doer of the action to the object or to make a sentence less direct or avoid mentioning the doer.
3. It is commonly used in scientific writing, when the focus is on the results or observations rather than the person who conducted the research.
It's important to note that using the active or passive voice can affect the clarity, emphasis, and style of a sentence or a piece of writing. The choice between the two depends on the context, the intended meaning, and the writer's preferences.
D. Use of Active and Passive Voice
The choice between active and passive voice depends on the context and the emphasis the writer wants to convey. Here are some scenarios where each voice may be appropriate:
1. Emphasizing the doer of the action: Active voice: "The team developed a new software application." Passive voice: "A new software application was developed by the team."
3. Shifting focus or avoiding mentioning the doer: Active voice: "Someone broke into my car last night." Passive voice: "My car was broken into last night."
4. Scientific writing, focusing on results rather than the researcher: Active voice: "We conducted the experiment and observed a significant effect." Passive voice: "The experiment was conducted, and a significant effect was observed."
5. Making instructions or procedures more clear and concise: Active voice: "You need to press the 'Start' button." Passive voice: "The 'Start' button should be pressed."
6. Adding variety to sentence structure: Active voice: "The company launched a new product, expanded its market share, and increased profits." Passive voice: "A new product was launched, market share was expanded, and profits were increased by the company."
Remember that active voice is generally more direct and preferred for most types of writing, as it is often clearer and more engaging. However, passive voice can be useful in specific situations, such as when the focus is on the receiver of the action or when the doer is unknown or less importan
Chapter III Conclusion
A. Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between active and passive voice significantly impacts the clarity, emphasis, and style of a sentence or piece of writing. Active voice, where the subject performs the action, is generally preferred for its directness and conciseness. It emphasizes the doer of the action and is suitable for most types of writing. On the other hand, passive voice, where the subject receives the action, can be used to shift the focus to the receiver or to make a sentence less direct. It is often employed in scientific writing and situations where the doer is unknown or less important. However, active voice remains the default choice in most cases, while passive voice should be used selectively and purposefully. Ultimately, understanding and appropriately utilizing both active and passive voice can enhance the effectiveness and impact of one's communication.
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