active voice

(noun)

A sentence construction in which a subject performs the action of the verb.

Related Terms

Examples of active voice in the following topics:

  • Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

    • The active voice is more frequently used in non-scientific writing.
    • Most sentences can be phrased to be in either active or passive voice.
    • The use of active voice is more direct and provides information about who performed the action.
    • The passive-voice construction of this sentence emphasizes "Jamey" more effectively than the active-voice equivalent.
    • The majority of your sentences should be in active voice.

  • The Passive Voice

    • Verbs can occur in two different voices, active and passive. 
    • Until now, you have experienced mostly the active voice, in which the subject acts upon the direct object, e,g., The dog loves the family. 
    • The passive verb endings are similar to the active but with a few important differences. 
    • The passive voice occurs in both indicative and subjunctive but uses the same endings in each.

  • Nouns as Subjects and Objects

    • If a sentence is written in the active voice, it means that the subject comes before the verb, and the object follows the verb.
    • All of the examples above are written in the active voice.
    • A simple way to identify whether a noun is a subject or an object in an active-voice sentence is to note where it is in the sentence.
    • In passive-voice sentences, the usual rules do not apply.
    • In a passive-voice sentence, keep in mind that the order will be subject–verb phrase–object.

  • Components of a Sentence

    • In active-voice sentences, it is the noun or pronoun performing the action in the sentence.
    • A clause is a collection of words that has a subject that is actively doing a verb.

  • Developing Your Voice as a Writer

    • Even while following the rules of content and style, you can develop your own unique voice.
    • You've probably heard that one quality found in good writing is voice.
    • In academic writing, voice comes down to small habits and personal preferences.
    • Keep in mind that voice is not something you can automatically create.
    • There are no quick ways to give yourself a recognizable voice.

  • Looking Beyond the Traditional References

    • Listening: Researchers must listen to what the participant is actually saying, they must listen to the "inner voice" or subtext of what the participant is communicating, and they must also listen to the process and flow of the interview to remain aware of how tired or bored the participant is, as well as logistics such as timing and how many questions still remain.
    • This is often an effective method for tuning into the aforementioned "inner voice"of the participant and breaking down the more presentational barriers of the guarded "outer voice" which often prevails.
    • Recent journal editorials presented some experience of unscrupulous activities.

  • Introduction to Writing in Business

    • Each genre of business writing carries its own conventions of organization, voice, and audience.
    • Writing in the business world is always formal and uses a third-person voice ("he," "she," "they"), although you may use contractions to sound more natural.
    • In some cases, such as emails and sales letters, a slightly less formal tone ("I" and "you") is permissible, but the subject and voice should always remain businesslike.

  • Step 7: Completing a Final Review

    • If it feels a little bland to you, you might consider spending additional time using the prewriting activities the next time you write a paper.
    • Did you feel like you found your voice when writing the introduction?

  • Step 5: Revising

    • Revising tightens the argument, strengthens the voice, and smoothes the syntax so you're left with only the best bits.
    • Another reason students avoid revising is because they jump too quickly from the critique part of revision to the rewrite, asking the brain to do a creative activity when it's still in the critical mindset.  

  • Deciphering an Argument You're Reading

    • If you keep the author's thesis in mind, you can figure out who is saying what even if the positional voice of the author seems to suddenly change in a radical way.
    • Why did the author introduce a new voice?
    • What role does this new voice play?
    • Quotation marks are a helpful tool that authors use to help readers in distinguishing their voice from those of others.