It is important to differentiate between active and passive voice in order to avoid any issues in communication while using English vocabulary. There are situations where both voices would be applicable, and learning when to use a particular one enhances your writing and speaking. The difference involves whether the action of the sentence is done by the subject of the sentence or the action is done to the subject of the sentence. In this piece, we will examine the various characteristics of both voices and the instances in which they are to be used.

1. The Active Voice

The active voice is when the doer of a particular action is the subject of the sentence. This structure stresses out the action doer that always facilitates the sentence and the action flows towards a direction. Active speech is characterised by: subject + action + object of action.

Structure of Active Voice:

• Subject + verb + object

Everyday speech and writings rely on the active voice as it's more effective and less ambiguous. It centres on the one who performs the deed hence it is very clear.

As a rule, the active voice is duly preferred as it ascertains the speaker or writer to directly highlight the subject responsible for the action consequently enabling clear and effective communication whenever the intention of the audience requires efficiency.

2. The Passive Voice

On the contrary, the passive voice emphasises the action that has been performed rather than the performer of the action and this shifts the emphasis from who did the action to the recipient of the action. In such cases, the person affected by the action serves as the subject of the sentence, while the actor (if yes) normally follows the action verb, usually with "by" introducing the doer.

Structure:

• Object + to be + past participle (+ by + subject)

In fact, the focus of attention in passive constructions shifts onto the object of the action, and this usually involves the de-emphasis or, even the omission of the agent actor. In cases where performing the action is of less importance than the action itself or when the doer of the action is irrelevant, clearly, from circumstances or general understanding, passive voice can be used.

3. When to Employ the Active Voice

In most forms of communications, except for a few, the active voice is ideal. This is particularly true in regard to spoken or written informal communication since it is very common in everyday discourse. This is generally the case because it tends to streamline the components of the contextual sentence making it more appealing as well as easy to understand. There are a few instances that are suitable for adopting the active voice:

• To enhance clarity and directness : The purpose of actively doing something is made obvious because the sentence structure shows who is doing the action.
• When narrating events : There are times when participating in an event or activity, characters perform different tasks which actively moves the plot forward.
• When responding to instructions : Active voice comes in handy when responding to queries, giving directions and orders and the purpose of the response is immediately clear.
• To emphasize the subject : When attention is to be focused on the person or entity carrying out the task, active voice is appropriate.

4. Situations for the Use of the Passive Voice

The active voice is used in most cases and circumstances, yet the passive voice also has very significant aspects. This voice is more frequently heard in an academic or a more formal setting and there is a rationale to adopting it:

• When the doer is absent or may be of little concern : There are occasions when the person carrying out the action needs not be named, is not necessary, or is not relevant, and the passive voice comes in handy.
• Where the action or the object of action is more important : In cases when the action or the object of action should be given primacy, the passive voice is preferred in order to divert attention and focus away from the agent.
• In formal or scientific writing : This is required in a number of academic and scientific situations such that the focus is placed on the topic at hand and not its people. In this case, the center of attention is the action or its outcome rather than the actor.
• To convey impersonality : The passive voice can defocus the attention of the statement on the speaker or writer and rather present the message in a more 'cool' and factual manner. This is very useful in formal reports and also in language that is characterized as bureaucratic.

5. The Change from the Active to Passive and Vice-Versa

Invaluable even in the most mundane tasks, the switching of the voice from passive to active and back to passive is a skill useful for a person. It gives one the liberty to be the one who dictates the message one wants to deliver through his or her sentences.

Steps in Passive Voice Conversion:

1. Look for the object of the active clause and turn it to the subject of the passive clause.
2. Reposition the object so that it lies in the front.
3. Transform the verb into an appropriate form of "to be" along with the past perfect fourth of the principle verb.
4. Insert the subject (the doer of the action that replaces the original subject) alluded to as preceded with the word "by" where appropriate.

For instance:

• Active: "The chef prepared the food."
• Passive: "The food was prepared by the chef."

At times, the use of the agent can be omitted in the passive voice when the context provides clarity on the action already performed:

• Passive without agent: "The food was prepared."

6. The Active Voice Or Passive

The selection of either the active or the passive voice varies according to the purpose of your writing, the context of your speech and the message being conveyed. Here are some tips on how to choose a voice that suits your purpose best:

• In a case where the action is the most important aspect of the sentence, and when the desire is to state the truth simply and clearly, then the sentence should be written in an active voice.
• Nevertheless, in instances where action or an object/s of the action is stressed, or when it is necessary to write in a more formal or an impersonal style then the passive voice should be used.

However, do not use passive voice too much, because it weakens, clarifies, mentions or complicates the writing. On the other hand, it has its advantages when well placed within context.

The use of the active and passive voice provides possibilities for the writer to express ideas in a more controlled and versatile manner. The active voice has the effect of making the sentence uncomplicated and straightforward, and the passive voice permits the emphasis to be placed on the action and/or its recipient instead of the performer. Once a writer knows how to determine the appropriate time to implement both voices, this leads to the enhancement of clarity and style within the piece of writing.