🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 121 (from laksa137)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa121.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/","crawl_time":1775558457,"first_indexed_time":1617979092,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,grammarbook!www,\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/ s443","src_root_hash":"3358061252454923721","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Active and Passive Voice - The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation","meta_descriptions":["If you grew up attending American schools, at some point you probably received the advice to \"write in the active voice.\" Although English instructors tend to hold passive-voice statements in lesser esteem, many English speakers (including college graduates) still often use them. Some speakers also might apply the passive voice without being able to readily"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"If you grew up attending American schools, at some point you probably received the advice to “write in the active voice.” Although English instructors tend to hold passive-voice statements in lesser esteem, many English speakers (including college graduates) still often use them. Some speakers also might apply the passive voice without being able to readily identify what it is.\nSo what exactly is the passive voice, and does it really weaken our writing? Let’s explore those questions.\nActive Voice\nActive voice\nmeans the subject is performing the verb. In broad terms, using the active voice means you have a subject that is performing an action, as in this sentence:\nMy cat chases mice.\nThe subject (the cat) is performing the action (chasing). It’s simple and direct. Here is another example:\nJennifer bakes cookies.\nAgain, we have a direct relationship between the subject and the verb.\nJennifer\nis our subject and\nbakes\nis the action.\nPassive Voice\nPassive voice\nmeans the subject\nreceives\nthe action. In a passive-voice sentence, the relationship between the subject and the verb becomes less direct. The subject no longer performs the action, as in:\nThe town was flooded by the hurricane.\nIn this sentence our subject (the town) becomes flooded, but not by its own activity. The passive construction makes the object a subject and the subject an object.\nIs It Wrong to Use Passive Voice in Writing?\nIn some cases, the passive voice may be favorable mainly from the viewpoint of desired emphasis. For example, in the sentence\nthe award was given to Joseph,\nperhaps we want more focus on the award than on Joseph (compare with\nJoseph received the award\n).\nIn other cases, however, the passive voice might be applied to shift attention from where it belongs. For example, someone working in public relations for a village might write a sentence such as\nthe unpopular edict was passed by the village\nto soften how one receives the more-identifying news that\nthe village passed the unpopular edict.\n \nSimilarly, there may be contexts in which we use the passive voice because we do not know the actor behind the verb. For instance, in a sentence such as\nto the dismay of many, the debt was forgiven,\nthe forgiver’s identity may not yet be established.\n \nAs a matter of overall usage and style, passive-voice sentences generally make our expressions less resolute or even confusing. Using passive statements is acceptable and sometimes even necessary, but as a matter of intent, our writing should rely mainly on the active voice.\nPop Quiz\nApplying what you now understand, specify whether each following sentence is written in the active voice or the passive voice.\n1. The thunder rattled the windows of my house.\n2. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer.\n3. Maria called the software company’s helpline.\n4. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages.\n5. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm.\nPop Quiz Answers\n1. The thunder rattled the windows of my house.\nActive Voice\n2. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer.\nPassive Voice\n3. Maria called the software company’s helpline.\nActive Voice\n4. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages.\nActive Voice\n5. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm.\nPassive Voice\nHelping You Learn and Understand Grammar\nOur mission goes beyond spreading grammar tips and advice on the web. We aim to take the most important principles and make them easy to understand. We hope you visit us again soon for more insight into writing and speaking with precision and eloquence.\nIf the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the \"Comment\" box at the bottom of this page.","attrs_markdown":"![Grammar](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/assets\/media\/grammar-logo.png)  Active and Passive Voice \\|  \n *The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation*\n\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/grammarbookdotcom)\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/janeruthstraus)\n- [E-Newsletter Signup](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/register.asp)\n\n[![GrammarBook.com \\| Your \\#1 Source for Grammar and Punctuation](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/assets\/media\/logo.svg)](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/)\n\nMenu\n\n[Subscribe to Quizzes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/members\/UserProfile.asp) [Quiz Subscriber Login](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/members\/default.asp)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/)\n- [Order the Book](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/grammar_book.asp)\n- [English Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/english_rules.asp)\n  - [Grammar Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/grammar_rules.asp)\n  - [Punctuation Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/punctuation_rules.asp)\n  - [Capitalization Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/punctuation\/capital.asp)\n  - [Rules for Writing Numbers](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/numbers\/numbers.asp)\n  - [Confusing Words and Homonyms](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/homonyms\/confusing-words.asp)\n- [Quizzes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp)\n  - [FREE Quizzes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp)\n  - [Subscription Quizzes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/members\/memberships.asp)\n- [Grammar Blog](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/)\n- [English Usage Videos](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/videos.asp)\n- [Writing Services](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/writing_services.asp)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/contact.asp)\n\n# Active and Passive Voice\nIf you grew up attending American schools, at some point you probably received the advice to “write in the active voice.” Although English instructors tend to hold passive-voice statements in lesser esteem, many English speakers (including college graduates) still often use them. Some speakers also might apply the passive voice without being able to readily identify what it is.\n\nSo what exactly is the passive voice, and does it really weaken our writing? Let’s explore those questions.\n\n## Active Voice\n**Active voice** means the subject is performing the verb. In broad terms, using the active voice means you have a subject that is performing an action, as in this sentence:\n\n> *My cat chases mice.*\n\nThe subject (the cat) is performing the action (chasing). It’s simple and direct. Here is another example:\n\n> *Jennifer bakes cookies.*\n\nAgain, we have a direct relationship between the subject and the verb. *Jennifer* is our subject and *bakes* is the action.\n\n## Passive Voice\n**Passive voice** means the subject *receives* the action. In a passive-voice sentence, the relationship between the subject and the verb becomes less direct. The subject no longer performs the action, as in:\n\n> *The town was flooded by the hurricane.*\n\nIn this sentence our subject (the town) becomes flooded, but not by its own activity. The passive construction makes the object a subject and the subject an object.\n\n## Is It Wrong to Use Passive Voice in Writing?\nIn some cases, the passive voice may be favorable mainly from the viewpoint of desired emphasis. For example, in the sentence *the award was given to Joseph,* perhaps we want more focus on the award than on Joseph (compare with *Joseph received the award*).\n\nIn other cases, however, the passive voice might be applied to shift attention from where it belongs. For example, someone working in public relations for a village might write a sentence such as *the unpopular edict was passed by the village* to soften how one receives the more-identifying news that *the village passed the unpopular edict.*\n\nSimilarly, there may be contexts in which we use the passive voice because we do not know the actor behind the verb. For instance, in a sentence such as *to the dismay of many, the debt was forgiven,* the forgiver’s identity may not yet be established.\n\nAs a matter of overall usage and style, passive-voice sentences generally make our expressions less resolute or even confusing. Using passive statements is acceptable and sometimes even necessary, but as a matter of intent, our writing should rely mainly on the active voice.\n\n## Pop Quiz\nApplying what you now understand, specify whether each following sentence is written in the active voice or the passive voice.\n\n1\\. The thunder rattled the windows of my house.\n\n2\\. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer.\n\n3\\. Maria called the software company’s helpline.\n\n4\\. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages.\n\n5\\. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm.\n\n### Pop Quiz Answers\n1\\. The thunder rattled the windows of my house. **Active Voice**\n\n2\\. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer. **Passive Voice**\n\n3\\. Maria called the software company’s helpline. **Active Voice**\n\n4\\. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages. **Active Voice**\n\n5\\. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm. **Passive Voice**\n\n## Helping You Learn and Understand Grammar\nOur mission goes beyond spreading grammar tips and advice on the web. We aim to take the most important principles and make them easy to understand. We hope you visit us again soon for more insight into writing and speaking with precision and eloquence.\n\n**If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the \"Comment\" box at the bottom of this page.**\n\n[Share](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/) [Tweet](https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/&text=Active+and+Passive+Voice&) [Email](<mailto:?subject=Active and Passive Voice&body=Check%20out%20this%20awesome%20article%20on%20The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation!%0A%0Ahttps:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/>)\n\n### 5 responses to “Active and Passive Voice”\n1. Rhiannon\n   \n   says:\n   \n   [March 7, 2022, at 8:07 am](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/#comment-1519845)\n   \n   Do the rules about “fanboys” conjunctions and commas apply in the same way with passive sentences?\n   \n   Example:  \n    1. “The tunnel was flooded and it was soon abandoned.”  \n    2. “The tunnel was flooded, and it was soon abandoned.”\n   \n   Is 1 incorrect and 2 correct?\n   \n   Thanks\\!\n   - GrammarBook.com\n     \n     says:\n     \n     [March 9, 2022, at 2:39 pm](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/#comment-1520906)\n     \n     Our post [Do You Need Commas Before Conjunctions?](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/commas\/commas-before-conjunctions\/) says, “If you’re looking for a general guideline, we recommend using a comma before coordinating conjunctions such as *and, or*, and *but* when they join two independent clauses…In some cases, depending on style and preference, a writer might omit the comma from a sentence with two shorter independent clauses joined by a conjunction.”\n2. john Schwartz\n   \n   says:\n   \n   [February 7, 2025, at 10:57 am](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/#comment-1710646)\n   \n   What about using the present tense (or voice) versus the past tense?\n   - GrammarBook.com\n     \n     says:\n     \n     [February 17, 2025, at 3:43 pm](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/#comment-1712273)\n     \n     Please see our posts [English Verb Conjugation](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/verbs\/english-verb-conjugation\/) and [What Is the Simple Past Tense?](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/verbs\/simple-past-tense\/)\n3. Dominic Achile\n   \n   says:\n   \n   [February 11, 2025, at 10:10 am](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/#comment-1711288)\n   \n   I am a graduate of English and Literary Studies, and I am currently teaching English and literature in a private school.\n   \n   Voice is one of the topics I love; I teach it with passion.\n\nLeave a Comment or Question: [Cancel reply](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/effective-writing\/passive-voice-vs-active-voice\/#respond)\n\n## Search the Blog\n## Popular Categories\n- [Abbreviations](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/abbreviations\/)\n- [Adjectives and Adverbs](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/adjectives-adverbs\/)\n- [Apostrophes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/apostrophes\/)\n- [Brackets](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/brackets\/)\n- [Capitalization](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/capitalization\/)\n- [Clauses and Sentences](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/clauses-sentences\/)\n- [Colons](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/colons\/)\n- [Commas](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/commas\/)\n- [Dashes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/dashes\/)\n- [Dates and Times](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/dates-and-times\/)\n- [Definitions](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/definitions\/)\n- [Different From vs. Different Than](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/different-from-vs-different-than\/)\n- [Effective Writing](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/effective-writing\/)\n- [Ellipses](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/ellipses\/)\n- [Humor](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/humor\/)\n- [Hyphens](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/hyphens\/)\n- [Idioms](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/idioms\/)\n- [Nouns](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/nouns\/)\n- [Numbers](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/numbers\/)\n- [Parentheses](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/parentheses\/)\n- [Periods](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/periods\/)\n- [Possessives](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/possessives\/)\n- [Prefixes and Suffixes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/prefixes-and-suffixes\/)\n- [Prepositions](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/prepositions\/)\n- [Pronouns](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/pronouns\/)\n- [Pronunciation](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/pronunciation\/)\n- [Proofreading](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/proofreading\/)\n- [Question Marks](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/question-marks\/)\n- [Quotation Marks](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/quotation-marks\/)\n- [Semicolons](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/semicolons\/)\n- [Singular vs. Plural](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/singular-vs-plural\/)\n- [Spacing](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/spacing\/)\n- [Spelling](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/spelling\/)\n- [Subject and Verb Agreement](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/subject-and-verb-agreement\/)\n- [Titles](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/titles\/)\n- [Uncategorized](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/uncategorized\/)\n- [Verbs](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/verbs\/)\n- [Vocabulary](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/vocabulary\/)\n- [Who \/ Whom \/ Whoever \/ Whomever](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/whowhomwhoeverwhomever\/)\n- [Who vs. Which vs. That](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/who-vs-which-vs-that\/)\n- [Year-End Quiz](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/category\/year-end-quiz\/)\n\n#### Top Grammar Blog Posts\n- [Capitalization of Academic Degrees](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/capitalization\/capitalization-of-academic-degrees\/)\n- [Into vs. In to](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/definitions\/into-vs-in-to\/)\n- [Writing Dates and Times](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/numbers\/writing-dates-and-times\/)\n- [Apostrophes with Words Ending in \"s\"](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/apostrophes\/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s\/)\n- [Titles of Books, Plays, Articles, etc.: Underline? Italics? Quotation Marks?](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/quotation-marks\/titles-of-books-plays-articles-etc-underline-italicize-use-quotation-marks\/)\n\n###### GrammarBook.com E-Newsletter\n[Sign up to receive the FREE weekly GrammarBook.com E-Newsletter.](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/register.asp)\n\n[![GrammarBook.com \\| Your \\#1 Source for Grammar and Punctuation](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/assets\/media\/logo-gray.png)](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/)\n\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/grammarbookdotcom)\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/janeruthstraus)\n\n###### Grammar Tools\n- [Order the Book](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/grammar_book.asp)\n- [Grammar Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/grammar_rules.asp)\n- [Punctuation Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/punctuation_rules.asp)\n- [English Usage Videos](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/videos.asp)\n- [FREE Quizzes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp)\n- [Grammar Blog](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/)\n\n###### General Information\n- [About Jane Straus](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/jane_straus.asp)\n- [Writing Services](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/writing_services.asp)\n- [Helpful Links](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/links.asp)\n- [Advertise With Us](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/sponsorship.asp)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/contact.asp)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/privacy.asp)\n\n[Web Design](https:\/\/www.weblinxinc.com\/) by [weblinxinc.com](https:\/\/www.weblinxinc.com\/)\n\n© 2026 GrammarBook.com\n\nMaterial created by Jane Straus and GrammarBook.com. Copyright by Jane Straus\/GrammarBook.com.\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/)\n- [Order the Book](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/grammar_book.asp)\n- [English Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/english_rules.asp)\n  Toggle Menu\n  - [Grammar Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/grammar_rules.asp)\n  - [Punctuation Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/punctuation_rules.asp)\n  - [Capitalization Rules](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/punctuation\/capital.asp)\n  - [Rules for Writing Numbers](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/numbers\/numbers.asp)\n  - [Confusing Words and Homonyms](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/homonyms\/confusing-words.asp)\n- [Quizzes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp)\n  Toggle Menu\n  - [FREE Quizzes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp)\n  - [Subscription Quizzes](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/members\/memberships.asp)\n- [Grammar Blog](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/)\n- [English Usage Videos](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/videos.asp)\n- [Writing Services](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/writing_services.asp)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/contact.asp)\n\n- [E-Newsletter Signup](https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/register.asp)\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/grammarbookdotcom)\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/janeruthstraus)","attrs_readable_markdown":"If you grew up attending American schools, at some point you probably received the advice to “write in the active voice.” Although English instructors tend to hold passive-voice statements in lesser esteem, many English speakers (including college graduates) still often use them. Some speakers also might apply the passive voice without being able to readily identify what it is.\n\nSo what exactly is the passive voice, and does it really weaken our writing? Let’s explore those questions.\n\n## Active Voice\n**Active voice** means the subject is performing the verb. In broad terms, using the active voice means you have a subject that is performing an action, as in this sentence:\n\n> *My cat chases mice.*\n\nThe subject (the cat) is performing the action (chasing). It’s simple and direct. Here is another example:\n\n> *Jennifer bakes cookies.*\n\nAgain, we have a direct relationship between the subject and the verb. *Jennifer* is our subject and *bakes* is the action.\n\n## Passive Voice\n**Passive voice** means the subject *receives* the action. In a passive-voice sentence, the relationship between the subject and the verb becomes less direct. The subject no longer performs the action, as in:\n\n> *The town was flooded by the hurricane.*\n\nIn this sentence our subject (the town) becomes flooded, but not by its own activity. The passive construction makes the object a subject and the subject an object.\n\n## Is It Wrong to Use Passive Voice in Writing?\nIn some cases, the passive voice may be favorable mainly from the viewpoint of desired emphasis. For example, in the sentence *the award was given to Joseph,* perhaps we want more focus on the award than on Joseph (compare with *Joseph received the award*).\n\nIn other cases, however, the passive voice might be applied to shift attention from where it belongs. For example, someone working in public relations for a village might write a sentence such as *the unpopular edict was passed by the village* to soften how one receives the more-identifying news that *the village passed the unpopular edict.*\n\nSimilarly, there may be contexts in which we use the passive voice because we do not know the actor behind the verb. For instance, in a sentence such as *to the dismay of many, the debt was forgiven,* the forgiver’s identity may not yet be established.\n\nAs a matter of overall usage and style, passive-voice sentences generally make our expressions less resolute or even confusing. Using passive statements is acceptable and sometimes even necessary, but as a matter of intent, our writing should rely mainly on the active voice.\n\n## Pop Quiz\nApplying what you now understand, specify whether each following sentence is written in the active voice or the passive voice.\n\n1\\. The thunder rattled the windows of my house.\n\n2\\. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer.\n\n3\\. Maria called the software company’s helpline.\n\n4\\. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages.\n\n5\\. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm.\n\n### Pop Quiz Answers\n1\\. The thunder rattled the windows of my house. **Active Voice**\n\n2\\. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer. **Passive Voice**\n\n3\\. Maria called the software company’s helpline. **Active Voice**\n\n4\\. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages. **Active Voice**\n\n5\\. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm. **Passive Voice**\n\n## Helping You Learn and Understand Grammar\nOur mission goes beyond spreading grammar tips and advice on the web. We aim to take the most important principles and make them easy to understand. We hope you visit us again soon for more insight into writing and speaking with precision and eloquence.\n\n**If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the \"Comment\" box at the bottom of this page.**","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

3 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.1 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

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Property	Value
URL	https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/
Last Crawled	2026-04-07 10:40:57 (3 days ago)
First Indexed	2021-04-09 14:38:12 (5 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Active and Passive Voice - The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Meta Description	If you grew up attending American schools, at some point you probably received the advice to "write in the active voice." Although English instructors tend to hold passive-voice statements in lesser esteem, many English speakers (including college graduates) still often use them. Some speakers also might apply the passive voice without being able to readily
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Boilerpipe Text	If you grew up attending American schools, at some point you probably received the advice to “write in the active voice.” Although English instructors tend to hold passive-voice statements in lesser esteem, many English speakers (including college graduates) still often use them. Some speakers also might apply the passive voice without being able to readily identify what it is. So what exactly is the passive voice, and does it really weaken our writing? Let’s explore those questions. Active Voice Active voice means the subject is performing the verb. In broad terms, using the active voice means you have a subject that is performing an action, as in this sentence: My cat chases mice. The subject (the cat) is performing the action (chasing). It’s simple and direct. Here is another example: Jennifer bakes cookies. Again, we have a direct relationship between the subject and the verb. Jennifer is our subject and bakes is the action. Passive Voice Passive voice means the subject receives the action. In a passive-voice sentence, the relationship between the subject and the verb becomes less direct. The subject no longer performs the action, as in: The town was flooded by the hurricane. In this sentence our subject (the town) becomes flooded, but not by its own activity. The passive construction makes the object a subject and the subject an object. Is It Wrong to Use Passive Voice in Writing? In some cases, the passive voice may be favorable mainly from the viewpoint of desired emphasis. For example, in the sentence the award was given to Joseph, perhaps we want more focus on the award than on Joseph (compare with Joseph received the award ). In other cases, however, the passive voice might be applied to shift attention from where it belongs. For example, someone working in public relations for a village might write a sentence such as the unpopular edict was passed by the village to soften how one receives the more-identifying news that the village passed the unpopular edict. Similarly, there may be contexts in which we use the passive voice because we do not know the actor behind the verb. For instance, in a sentence such as to the dismay of many, the debt was forgiven, the forgiver’s identity may not yet be established. As a matter of overall usage and style, passive-voice sentences generally make our expressions less resolute or even confusing. Using passive statements is acceptable and sometimes even necessary, but as a matter of intent, our writing should rely mainly on the active voice. Pop Quiz Applying what you now understand, specify whether each following sentence is written in the active voice or the passive voice. 1. The thunder rattled the windows of my house. 2. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer. 3. Maria called the software company’s helpline. 4. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages. 5. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm. Pop Quiz Answers 1. The thunder rattled the windows of my house. Active Voice 2. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer. Passive Voice 3. Maria called the software company’s helpline. Active Voice 4. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages. Active Voice 5. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm. Passive Voice Helping You Learn and Understand Grammar Our mission goes beyond spreading grammar tips and advice on the web. We aim to take the most important principles and make them easy to understand. We hope you visit us again soon for more insight into writing and speaking with precision and eloquence. If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
Markdown	![Grammar](https://www.grammarbook.com/assets/media/grammar-logo.png) Active and Passive Voice \\| The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/grammarbookdotcom) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/janeruthstraus) - [E-Newsletter Signup](https://www.grammarbook.com/register.asp) [![GrammarBook.com \\| Your \#1 Source for Grammar and Punctuation](https://www.grammarbook.com/assets/media/logo.svg)](https://www.grammarbook.com/) Menu [Subscribe to Quizzes](https://www.grammarbook.com/members/UserProfile.asp) [Quiz Subscriber Login](https://www.grammarbook.com/members/default.asp) - [Home](https://www.grammarbook.com/) - [Order the Book](https://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_book.asp) - [English Rules](https://www.grammarbook.com/english_rules.asp) - [Grammar Rules](https://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_rules.asp) - [Punctuation Rules](https://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation_rules.asp) - [Capitalization Rules](https://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/capital.asp) - [Rules for Writing Numbers](https://www.grammarbook.com/numbers/numbers.asp) - [Confusing Words and Homonyms](https://www.grammarbook.com/homonyms/confusing-words.asp) - [Quizzes](https://www.grammarbook.com/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp) - [FREE Quizzes](https://www.grammarbook.com/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp) - [Subscription Quizzes](https://www.grammarbook.com/members/memberships.asp) - [Grammar Blog](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/) - [English Usage Videos](https://www.grammarbook.com/videos.asp) - [Writing Services](https://www.grammarbook.com/writing_services.asp) - [Contact](https://www.grammarbook.com/contact.asp) # Active and Passive Voice If you grew up attending American schools, at some point you probably received the advice to “write in the active voice.” Although English instructors tend to hold passive-voice statements in lesser esteem, many English speakers (including college graduates) still often use them. Some speakers also might apply the passive voice without being able to readily identify what it is. So what exactly is the passive voice, and does it really weaken our writing? Let’s explore those questions. ## Active Voice Active voice means the subject is performing the verb. In broad terms, using the active voice means you have a subject that is performing an action, as in this sentence: > My cat chases mice. The subject (the cat) is performing the action (chasing). It’s simple and direct. Here is another example: > Jennifer bakes cookies. Again, we have a direct relationship between the subject and the verb. Jennifer is our subject and bakes is the action. ## Passive Voice Passive voice means the subject receives the action. In a passive-voice sentence, the relationship between the subject and the verb becomes less direct. The subject no longer performs the action, as in: > The town was flooded by the hurricane. In this sentence our subject (the town) becomes flooded, but not by its own activity. The passive construction makes the object a subject and the subject an object. ## Is It Wrong to Use Passive Voice in Writing? In some cases, the passive voice may be favorable mainly from the viewpoint of desired emphasis. For example, in the sentence the award was given to Joseph, perhaps we want more focus on the award than on Joseph (compare with Joseph received the award). In other cases, however, the passive voice might be applied to shift attention from where it belongs. For example, someone working in public relations for a village might write a sentence such as the unpopular edict was passed by the village to soften how one receives the more-identifying news that the village passed the unpopular edict. Similarly, there may be contexts in which we use the passive voice because we do not know the actor behind the verb. For instance, in a sentence such as to the dismay of many, the debt was forgiven, the forgiver’s identity may not yet be established. As a matter of overall usage and style, passive-voice sentences generally make our expressions less resolute or even confusing. Using passive statements is acceptable and sometimes even necessary, but as a matter of intent, our writing should rely mainly on the active voice. ## Pop Quiz Applying what you now understand, specify whether each following sentence is written in the active voice or the passive voice. 1\. The thunder rattled the windows of my house. 2\. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer. 3\. Maria called the software company’s helpline. 4\. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages. 5\. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm. ### Pop Quiz Answers 1\. The thunder rattled the windows of my house. Active Voice 2\. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer. Passive Voice 3\. Maria called the software company’s helpline. Active Voice 4\. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages. Active Voice 5\. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm. Passive Voice ## Helping You Learn and Understand Grammar Our mission goes beyond spreading grammar tips and advice on the web. We aim to take the most important principles and make them easy to understand. We hope you visit us again soon for more insight into writing and speaking with precision and eloquence. If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page. [Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/&text=Active+and+Passive+Voice&) [Email](<mailto:?subject=Active and Passive Voice&body=Check%20out%20this%20awesome%20article%20on%20The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation!%0A%0Ahttps://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/>) ### 5 responses to “Active and Passive Voice” 1. Rhiannon says: [March 7, 2022, at 8:07 am](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/#comment-1519845) Do the rules about “fanboys” conjunctions and commas apply in the same way with passive sentences? Example: 1. “The tunnel was flooded and it was soon abandoned.” 2. “The tunnel was flooded, and it was soon abandoned.” Is 1 incorrect and 2 correct? Thanks\! - GrammarBook.com says: [March 9, 2022, at 2:39 pm](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/#comment-1520906) Our post [Do You Need Commas Before Conjunctions?](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/commas/commas-before-conjunctions/) says, “If you’re looking for a general guideline, we recommend using a comma before coordinating conjunctions such as and, or, and but when they join two independent clauses…In some cases, depending on style and preference, a writer might omit the comma from a sentence with two shorter independent clauses joined by a conjunction.” 2. john Schwartz says: [February 7, 2025, at 10:57 am](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/#comment-1710646) What about using the present tense (or voice) versus the past tense? - GrammarBook.com says: [February 17, 2025, at 3:43 pm](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/#comment-1712273) Please see our posts [English Verb Conjugation](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/english-verb-conjugation/) and [What Is the Simple Past Tense?](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/simple-past-tense/) 3. Dominic Achile says: [February 11, 2025, at 10:10 am](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/passive-voice-vs-active-voice/#comment-1711288) I am a graduate of English and Literary Studies, and I am currently teaching English and literature in a private school. Voice is one of the topics I love; I teach it with passion. 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Readable Markdown	If you grew up attending American schools, at some point you probably received the advice to “write in the active voice.” Although English instructors tend to hold passive-voice statements in lesser esteem, many English speakers (including college graduates) still often use them. Some speakers also might apply the passive voice without being able to readily identify what it is. So what exactly is the passive voice, and does it really weaken our writing? Let’s explore those questions. ## Active Voice Active voice means the subject is performing the verb. In broad terms, using the active voice means you have a subject that is performing an action, as in this sentence: > My cat chases mice. The subject (the cat) is performing the action (chasing). It’s simple and direct. Here is another example: > Jennifer bakes cookies. Again, we have a direct relationship between the subject and the verb. Jennifer is our subject and bakes is the action. ## Passive Voice Passive voice means the subject receives the action. In a passive-voice sentence, the relationship between the subject and the verb becomes less direct. The subject no longer performs the action, as in: > The town was flooded by the hurricane. In this sentence our subject (the town) becomes flooded, but not by its own activity. The passive construction makes the object a subject and the subject an object. ## Is It Wrong to Use Passive Voice in Writing? In some cases, the passive voice may be favorable mainly from the viewpoint of desired emphasis. For example, in the sentence the award was given to Joseph, perhaps we want more focus on the award than on Joseph (compare with Joseph received the award). In other cases, however, the passive voice might be applied to shift attention from where it belongs. For example, someone working in public relations for a village might write a sentence such as the unpopular edict was passed by the village to soften how one receives the more-identifying news that the village passed the unpopular edict. Similarly, there may be contexts in which we use the passive voice because we do not know the actor behind the verb. For instance, in a sentence such as to the dismay of many, the debt was forgiven, the forgiver’s identity may not yet be established. As a matter of overall usage and style, passive-voice sentences generally make our expressions less resolute or even confusing. Using passive statements is acceptable and sometimes even necessary, but as a matter of intent, our writing should rely mainly on the active voice. ## Pop Quiz Applying what you now understand, specify whether each following sentence is written in the active voice or the passive voice. 1\. The thunder rattled the windows of my house. 2\. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer. 3\. Maria called the software company’s helpline. 4\. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages. 5\. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm. ### Pop Quiz Answers 1\. The thunder rattled the windows of my house. Active Voice 2\. My taxi driver was ticketed by a police officer. Passive Voice 3\. Maria called the software company’s helpline. Active Voice 4\. Advanced computers teach themselves algebra and languages. Active Voice 5\. Our plane was tossed around by the thunderstorm. Passive Voice ## Helping You Learn and Understand Grammar Our mission goes beyond spreading grammar tips and advice on the web. We aim to take the most important principles and make them easy to understand. We hope you visit us again soon for more insight into writing and speaking with precision and eloquence. If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
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