Which Option Describes The Purpose Of Using Active Voice?A. To Focus Attention On The Receiver Of The Action B. To Make Writing Stronger C. To Correct The Error Presented By Passive Voice D. To Write In Present Tense

Mar 12, 2025 by ADMIN 220 views

Mastering the Art of Writing: Understanding the Purpose of Active Voice

When it comes to writing, using the correct voice is crucial in conveying the intended message effectively. In this article, we will delve into the world of active and passive voice, and explore the purpose of using active voice in writing.

What is Active Voice?

Active voice is a writing style where the subject of the sentence performs the action described by the verb. In other words, the subject is the doer of the action, and the verb is the action itself. For example: "John threw the ball." In this sentence, "John" is the subject, and "threw the ball" is the verb. The subject is performing the action, making it an active voice sentence.

The Purpose of Using Active Voice

Now that we have a basic understanding of active voice, let's explore the purpose of using it in writing. The correct answer to the question posed at the beginning of this article is B. To make writing stronger. Using active voice can make writing stronger, clearer, and more engaging. Here are some reasons why:

Clarity: Active voice sentences are often clearer and more concise than passive voice sentences. When the subject performs the action, it's easier to understand what's happening in the sentence.
Engagement: Active voice can engage the reader more effectively than passive voice. When the subject is performing the action, it creates a sense of agency and involvement, making the reader more invested in the story.
Conciseness: Active voice sentences are often shorter and more concise than passive voice sentences. This is because the subject is performing the action, eliminating the need for additional words to describe the action.
Style: Using active voice can also add variety and style to your writing. It can help you avoid repetitive and boring sentence structures, making your writing more interesting and dynamic.

Why Passive Voice is Often Used

Despite the benefits of using active voice, passive voice is often used in writing. There are several reasons for this:

Avoiding blame: Passive voice can be used to avoid blame or responsibility. For example: "The ball was thrown by John." In this sentence, the focus is on the ball, rather than John, who performed the action.
Emphasizing the action: Passive voice can be used to emphasize the action, rather than the subject performing the action. For example: "The new policy has been implemented." In this sentence, the focus is on the action of implementing the policy, rather than the person who implemented it.
Formality: Passive voice can be used to create a more formal tone in writing. For example: "The meeting was called by the chairman." In this sentence, the focus is on the meeting, rather than the chairman, who called it.

When to Use Passive Voice

While active voice is generally preferred, there are situations where passive voice is more suitable. Here are some examples:

Scientific writing: In scientific writing, passive voice is often used to describe experiments and procedures. For example: "The experiment was conducted by the research team." In this sentence, the focus is on the experiment, rather than the team that conducted it.
Technical writing: In technical writing, passive voice is often used to describe complex processes and procedures. For example: "The software was developed by the team." In this sentence, the focus is on the software, rather than the team that developed it.
Formal writing: In formal writing, passive voice is often used to create a more formal tone. For example: "The report was submitted by the committee." In this sentence, the focus is on the report, rather than the committee that submitted it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using active voice can make writing stronger, clearer, and more engaging. While passive voice has its uses, active voice is generally preferred in most writing situations. By understanding the purpose of using active voice, you can improve your writing skills and create more effective and engaging content.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When using active voice, there are several common mistakes to avoid:

Using passive voice by mistake: Make sure to check your sentences for passive voice constructions, and revise them to use active voice instead.
Using too many passive voice sentences: While passive voice has its uses, using too many passive voice sentences can make your writing seem dull and unengaging.
Not varying sentence structure: Using active voice can help you vary sentence structure and create more interesting and dynamic writing.

Tips for Using Active Voice

Here are some tips for using active voice effectively:

Use strong, active verbs: Choose verbs that are strong and active, rather than weak and passive.
Make the subject perform the action: Ensure that the subject of the sentence performs the action, rather than the action being performed on the subject.
Vary sentence structure: Use active voice to vary sentence structure and create more interesting and dynamic writing.
Read your work aloud: Read your work aloud to ensure that it sounds clear and engaging.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using active voice is an essential skill for any writer. By understanding the purpose of using active voice, you can improve your writing skills and create more effective and engaging content. Remember to use strong, active verbs, make the subject perform the action, vary sentence structure, and read your work aloud to ensure that it sounds clear and engaging. With practice and patience, you can master the art of using active voice and become a more effective and engaging writer.
Active Voice Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions

In our previous article, we explored the purpose of using active voice in writing. Now, let's answer some frequently asked questions about active voice to help you better understand this essential writing skill.

Q: What is the difference between active and passive voice?

A: Active voice is a writing style where the subject of the sentence performs the action described by the verb. In other words, the subject is the doer of the action, and the verb is the action itself. Passive voice, on the other hand, is a writing style where the subject of the sentence receives the action described by the verb. For example: "John threw the ball" (active voice) vs. "The ball was thrown by John" (passive voice).

Q: Why is active voice preferred over passive voice?

A: Active voice is preferred over passive voice because it is generally clearer, more concise, and more engaging. When the subject performs the action, it's easier to understand what's happening in the sentence. Additionally, active voice can create a sense of agency and involvement, making the reader more invested in the story.

Q: When should I use passive voice?

A: While active voice is generally preferred, there are situations where passive voice is more suitable. For example, in scientific writing, passive voice is often used to describe experiments and procedures. In technical writing, passive voice is often used to describe complex processes and procedures. In formal writing, passive voice is often used to create a more formal tone.

Q: How can I identify passive voice in my writing?

A: To identify passive voice in your writing, look for sentences that use the following constructions:

"The ball was thrown by John"
"The new policy has been implemented"
"The meeting was called by the chairman"

In each of these sentences, the subject (the ball, the new policy, the meeting) is receiving the action (being thrown, being implemented, being called). To convert these sentences to active voice, you would need to rephrase them to make the subject perform the action.

Q: How can I convert passive voice to active voice?

A: To convert passive voice to active voice, follow these steps:

Identify the subject of the sentence (the ball, the new policy, the meeting).
Identify the action being performed on the subject (being thrown, being implemented, being called).
Make the subject perform the action by rephrasing the sentence. For example:

"The ball was thrown by John" becomes "John threw the ball."
"The new policy has been implemented" becomes "The team implemented the new policy."
"The meeting was called by the chairman" becomes "The chairman called the meeting."

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using active voice?

A: When using active voice, be careful not to:

Use passive voice by mistake
Use too many passive voice sentences
Not vary sentence structure
Not use strong, active verbs

Q: How can I practice using active voice in my writing?

A: To practice using active voice in your writing, try the following exercises:

Write a short paragraph using only active voice.
Identify passive voice sentences in a sample text and convert them to active voice.
Practice using strong, active verbs in your writing.
Read your work aloud to ensure that it sounds clear and engaging.

Conclusion