When the focus is on the action

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 22 views

The Examination Are Conducted by the University: Understanding the Active Voice in English

What is the Active Voice?

The active voice is a fundamental concept in English grammar that can make a significant difference in the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action described by the verb. This means that the subject is the doer of the action, and the verb is the action itself. For example, "The university conducts the examination" is an example of the active voice, where the subject "university" is performing the action "conducts."

The Passive Voice: A Comparison

On the other hand, the passive voice is a construction where the subject receives the action described by the verb. This means that the subject is the recipient of the action, and the verb is the action itself. For example, "The examination is conducted by the university" is an example of the passive voice, where the subject "examination" is receiving the action "is conducted." While the passive voice can be useful in certain situations, it can often make your writing seem less clear and less engaging.

Why Use the Active Voice?

Using the active voice in your writing can have several benefits. Firstly, it can make your writing more concise and easier to understand. When the subject is performing the action, it's clear who is doing what, and the sentence is more direct. Secondly, the active voice can make your writing more engaging and interesting. When the subject is performing the action, it's more dynamic and exciting than when the subject is receiving the action.

Examples of the Active Voice

Here are a few examples of the active voice in different contexts:

Academic writing: "The professor teaches the course" (active voice) vs. "The course is taught by the professor" (passive voice)
Business writing: "The company sells the product" (active voice) vs. "The product is sold by the company" (passive voice)
News writing: "The police arrested the suspect" (active voice) vs. "The suspect was arrested by the police" (passive voice)

When to Use the Passive Voice

While the active voice is generally preferred, there are situations where the passive voice is more suitable. For example:

When the doer is unknown: "The window was broken" (passive voice) vs. "Someone broke the window" (active voice)
When the focus is on the action: "The experiment was conducted" (passive voice) vs. "The researchers conducted the experiment" (active voice)
When the subject is a group: "The team was defeated" (passive voice) vs. "The team defeated their opponents" (active voice)

Tips for Using the Active Voice

Here are a few tips for using the active voice in your writing:

Identify the doer: Who is performing the action? Make sure to identify the doer and make them the subject of the sentence.
Use strong verbs: Verbs like "conducts," "teaches," and "sells" are strong and active. Use them to create dynamic sentences.
Avoid using the passive voice unnecessarily: While there are situations where the passive voice is more suitable, try to use the active voice whenever possible.

Conclusion

The active voice is a powerful tool in English grammar that can make your writing more concise, engaging, and effective. By using the active voice, you can create dynamic sentences that are easy to understand and interesting to read. Remember to identify the doer, use strong verbs, and avoid using the passive voice unnecessarily. With practice, you can master the active voice and take your writing to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the active and passive voice? The active voice is a construction where the subject performs the action, while the passive voice is a construction where the subject receives the action.
Why is the active voice preferred? The active voice is preferred because it makes writing more concise, engaging, and effective.
When should I use the passive voice? Use the passive voice when the doer is unknown, when the focus is on the action, or when the subject is a group.

Further Reading

The Oxford English Grammar: A comprehensive guide to English grammar, including the active and passive voice.
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language: A detailed guide to English grammar, including the active and passive voice.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab: A resource for writers, including guides on the active and passive voice.
The Examination Are Conducted by the University: Understanding the Active Voice in English

Q&A: The Active Voice

Q: What is the active voice? A: The active voice is a construction where the subject of the sentence performs the action described by the verb. For example, "The university conducts the examination" is an example of the active voice, where the subject "university" is performing the action "conducts."

Q: What is the difference between the active and passive voice? A: The active voice is a construction where the subject performs the action, while the passive voice is a construction where the subject receives the action. For example, "The examination is conducted by the university" is an example of the passive voice, where the subject "examination" is receiving the action "is conducted."

Q: Why is the active voice preferred? A: The active voice is preferred because it makes writing more concise, engaging, and effective. When the subject is performing the action, it's clear who is doing what, and the sentence is more direct.

Q: When should I use the passive voice? A: Use the passive voice when the doer is unknown, when the focus is on the action, or when the subject is a group. For example, "The window was broken" (passive voice) vs. "Someone broke the window" (active voice).

Q: How can I identify the doer in a sentence? A: To identify the doer, look for the subject of the sentence and determine who is performing the action. For example, in the sentence "The professor teaches the course," the doer is "the professor."

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using the active voice? A: Some common mistakes to avoid when using the active voice include:

Using the passive voice unnecessarily
Making the subject a recipient of the action instead of the doer
Using weak verbs that don't convey the action clearly

Q: How can I practice using the active voice in my writing? A: To practice using the active voice, try rewriting sentences in the active voice. For example, "The examination was conducted by the university" (passive voice) vs. "The university conducted the examination" (active voice).

Q: What are some benefits of using the active voice in my writing? A: Some benefits of using the active voice in your writing include:

Making your writing more concise and easier to understand
Making your writing more engaging and interesting
Creating dynamic sentences that are easy to read

Q: Can I use the active voice in all types of writing? A: While the active voice is generally preferred, there are situations where the passive voice is more suitable. For example, in technical writing or academic writing, the passive voice may be used to focus on the action or to avoid identifying the doer.

Q: How can I determine whether to use the active or passive voice in a sentence? A: To determine whether to use the active or passive voice, consider the following:

Is the doer clear and identifiable? If so, use the active voice.
Is the focus on the action rather than the doer? If so, use the passive voice.
Is the subject a group or an unknown entity? If so, use the passive voice.

Conclusion

The active voice is a powerful tool in English grammar that can make your writing more concise, engaging, and effective. By understanding the active voice and using it correctly, you can create dynamic sentences that are easy to read and understand. Remember to identify the doer, use strong verbs, and avoid using the passive voice unnecessarily. With practice, you can master the active voice and take your writing to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the active and passive voice? The active voice is a construction where the subject performs the action, while the passive voice is a construction where the subject receives the action.
Why is the active voice preferred? The active voice is preferred because it makes writing more concise, engaging, and effective.
When should I use the passive voice? Use the passive voice when the doer is unknown, when the focus is on the action, or when the subject is a group.

Further Reading

The Oxford English Grammar: A comprehensive guide to English grammar, including the active and passive voice.
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language: A detailed guide to English grammar, including the active and passive voice.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab: A resource for writers, including guides on the active and passive voice.