Grammar Lab

Grammar Lab: Active vs. Passive Voice

Unleash Your Voice! 🚀

Welcome to the Grammar Lab. Ever read a paper that felt dull or heavy? The culprit is often the wrong choice of voice. Whether you're writing a science report or a history essay, knowing when to be Active (clear and punchy) or Passive (formal and strategic) is a superpower.

Active Voice

The subject does the action. It's direct, energetic, and concise.

Passive Voice

The subject receives the action. It's formal, objective, or strategic.

The Golden Rule of Writing

Active voice should be your default setting. Use passive voice only when necessary.

Why Choose Active Voice?

Comparing the impact and conciseness of the two voices.

The Mechanics Lab 🛠️

Break down the sentence structures and learn how to spot the "Ghost".

🌟

Active Voice: The Hero's Formula

The Doer (Subject) is the boss. They perform the action directly.

Subject
DOER
Verb
ACTION
Object
RECEIVER

Example:

The Principal (Doer) sends (Action) the announcements (Receiver).

🐢

Passive Voice: The Strategy Tool

The Receiver becomes the subject. The Doer is often moved to the end or removed entirely.

New Subject
RECEIVER
+
Verb Phrase
TO BE + PAST PARTICIPLE
+
Optional Agent
(by DOER)

🚨 The "By a Ghost" Test

Not sure if it's passive? Try this trick. If you can add "by a ghost" to the end and the grammar works, it's Passive!

The debate was won... (by a ghost) 👻
The announcements are sent... (by a ghost) 👻
The gym floor was waxed... (by a ghost) 👻
👻

Tense Time Machine ⏳

See how the verb "To Be" changes while the main verb stays in the Past Participle.

Strategic Uses: When to go Passive? 🛡️

🕵️

Unknown Doer

When we don't know who did it, or it doesn't matter.

"The gym floor was waxed."
🔬

Focus on Result

Common in science/textbooks. The fact is more important than the teacher.

"Photosynthesis is taught in biology."
👔

Formal / Objective

Avoids direct blame. "Mistakes were made" instead of "I made a mistake."

"An error was detected."

The Practice Gym 🏋️

Flex your grammar muscles! Convert the sentences as requested.

Exercise 1 Goal: Go Active!

Passive Sentence:

"The new lockers were installed over the summer break."

Exercise 2 Goal: Go Passive!

Active Sentence:

"My little sister always wins the board game."

Exercise 3 Goal: Go Active!

Passive Sentence:

"The history textbook will be updated next year by the curriculum committee."

© 2025 Grammar Lab. Based on "Active and Passive Voice Mastery" for 9th Grade ELA.