What Is Understanding Voices Grammar? Definition, Examples & Key Concepts

Get ready to step into the world of grammar with this insightful grammar lesson on voice. In this lesson, we'll explore what is voice in grammar, the types of voice in English grammar, and how to shift between active and passive forms. By the end, you'll confidently use voice to shape your stories, reports, and essays. Let's begin our grammar adventure!

What Is Voice in Grammar?

Voice in grammar tells us whether the subject of a sentence is doing the action or receiving it. It's a core part of understanding voices in English and shaping how clearly and effectively we communicate.

• If the subject does the action → Active Voice
• If the subject receives the action → Passive Voice

This flexibility lets writers choose what to focus on-who did something, or what was done..

What Are The Types of Voices?

There are two main types of voice in English grammar:

Active Voice

In active voice, the subject performs the action.

Structure:
Subject + Verb + Object

Examples:

• The cat chased the mouse.
• She sings a beautiful song.
• The gardener is planting flowers.

These are direct, clear, and strong-perfect for storytelling or instruction.

Passive Voice

In passive voice, the focus shifts to the receiver of the action. The doer is optional or comes after the word "by."

Structure:
Object + form of "be" + Past Participle + (by + Agent)

Examples:

• The mouse was chased by the cat.
• A beautiful song is sung by her.
• Flowers are being planted by the gardener.

The passive voice for students is helpful when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or needs to be de-emphasized.

Voice Grammar Rules Explained: How to Switch Voice

Understanding how to switch from one voice to another is key to mastering sentence structure and clarity.

From Active to Passive Voice

1. Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object

Active: The cat chased the mouse.
Passive: The mouse was chased by the cat.

2. Use the Object as the New Subject

Active: A baker makes cakes.
Passive: Cakes are made by a baker.

3. Change the Verb Form

Use the correct form of "be" + past participle of the verb.

4. Add "by" Before the Original Subject

This marks who did the action-if you want to include them.

5. Adjust for Tense

Use the correct "be" form depending on the verb tense:

Note: Use this chart to compare active vs passive voice examples across tenses.

6. Adjust Pronouns

Make pronouns match the new subject or object.

Active: He loves her.
Passive: She is loved by him.

7. Omit the Doer (Optional)

Active: Someone stole my wallet.
Passive: My wallet was stolen.

From Passive to Active Voice

Here's how to flip it back to active voice:

1. Identify the Components

Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef.
Active: The chef cooked the meal.

2. Use the Agent (Doer) as the New Subject

Passive: The homework was completed by the student.
Active: The student completed the homework.

3. Simplify Verb Forms

Drop "be" + past participle and use the main verb directly.

4. Remove "by" and Reorder

Passive: A novel was written by the author.
Active: The author wrote a novel.

5. Adjust for Tense

Match verb tenses properly.

Practice Exercises

1. Identify the Voice

Label each as Active or Passive.

1. The police arrested the suspect last night. → Active
2. The new song was released by the band. → Passive
3. Jessica teaches mathematics. → Active
4. A beautiful cake was baked by Maria. → Passive
5. The documents are being printed. → Passive

2. Convert Active to Passive Voice

1. Rachel will finish the report.
   → The report will be finished by Rachel.
2. The chef is preparing a special dinner.
   → A special dinner is being prepared by the chef.
3. Scientists have discovered a new planet.
   → A new planet has been discovered by scientists.

3. Convert Passive to Active Voice

1. The painting was admired by all.
   → All admired the painting.
2. The message had been delivered by the courier.
   → The courier had delivered the message.
3. The marathon was won by an unknown runner.
   → An unknown runner won the marathon.

Conclusion

Now that you've successfully piloted through our grammar lesson on voice with great enthusiasm and have mastered how to use both active and passive forms in your writing. Every sentence you've transformed has strengthened your skills as a grammarian. You've learned to shift the spotlight in your sentences from the doer of the action to the receiver, adding variety and depth to your writing.

FAQs About Voice in Grammar

1. What is voice in grammar and why is it important?
Voice in grammar shows whether the subject performs or receives the action. It affects sentence clarity, focus, and tone.

2. What are the two types of voice in English grammar?
The two types are active voice and passive voice. Active emphasizes the doer; passive emphasizes the receiver.

3. How do I know when to use passive voice?
Use passive voice when the doer is unknown, less important, or when you want to highlight the action or receiver.

4. Can I omit "by + agent" in passive voice?
Yes. If the agent (doer) is not necessary, it can be omitted:
Example: "The window was broken." (No need to say by whom.)

5. Is passive voice always wrong in writing?
Not at all! Passive voice is useful in formal, scientific, or objective writing where the doer isn't as important as the action.