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Very often, despite our best efforts, our writing looks somehow off. Something remains unfinished, unfinished as if something is missing. Sometimes it may be all about the voice you use. It may influence greatly the way how your text is perceived by other people.
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Difference Between Subject and Object
To understand what is active voice, you must first understand the difference between subject and object.
Subject
- Is usually the “doer” of an action.
- You can easily identify the subject by asking the question “Who?” or “What?” performs an action in a sentence.
Examples:
“The dog happily wagged its tail, greeting its owner. (The dog – the subject, wagged and greeted – these are the actions that the subject performed)”
“The painting hung on the wall to our right. (The picture is the subject, hanging is the action)”
Object
- Usually, the action is performed on the object.
- Not all verbs require objects, but some can have one or even two.
Examples:
The owner gave the dog a toy. (in this case, the dog is an object, because the action is performed on it, a toy is also an object. The owner acts as the main doer.)
We took down the painting and put it in the basement. (The picture in this case is the object, the receiver of the action, and “we” is the subject.)
We understand that object and subject can often be confused, so think of an association that would help you remember the difference:
Think of the verb as an arrow. The subject shoots the arrow (action), and the object is what gets hit by the arrow (receiver).
Active Voice vs. Passive Voice: What Is the Difference?
As you already understand, active voice is when the subject performs an action. What is passive voice? That is when an action is performed on an object. However, what is the difference between them? Why is it worth using passive in some texts, while in others you should not use anything other than active voice? It is simple.
We believe that it is all about the impression that a certain voice creates.
Active Voice
The active voice seems clear and direct. It is a simpler sentence formulation that is easier to read and understand. It is also a story format, a good way to impress a person and evoke certain emotions.
Active voice is about the person or thing that does the action. That also allows for a stronger impact on the reader. In addition, the use of such verbs allows you to show the liveliness and excitement of your text.
Passive voice
What is passive voice? It is the complete opposite. The main thing for it is to be a “dry facts” language. It makes your writing seem more formal and detached. You focus specifically on the result, often omitting even the main figure who performed the action.
If you are a skilled person who can manipulate words in any way, you may deliberately use the passive voice, hiding the main character. It may help to make any text more interesting and secretive, mysterious.
Remember, effective writing is about achieving your desired tone and clarity. Think about what kind of impression you want to make on the reader of your letter.
Passive vs Active Writing
Sometimes you may be advised to use the passive voice in your admission essay. In some cases, this may indeed be appropriate if used with caution, but in other cases, it is the active voice that will make you shine.
The active voice cuts to the chase. It is what speaks directly to the reader. We believe that professors and admissions officers value direct communication, especially when evaluating large numbers of essays.
Also, the active voice seems to allow you to take responsibility for your actions and achievements, because this way of writing distinguishes you as the main figure. It may add credibility to your essay, which is especially vital when you need to convince people that you are the perfect candidate.
Why can passive voice fail you?
Passive voice often leads to using extra words and phrases. It can make your writing feel clunky and hard to follow. Also, with the passive voice, it doesn’t matter who does a certain action, or it can become quite unclear.
It may sometimes confuse readers and ruin your message. Plus, in many essays (especially admission essays), you have to put yourself first, not the action. That is because the admissions committee needs you as an individual to determine whether you are a good fit for that college. A passive voice pushes you to the background.
How To Write In An Active Voice?
Switching from passive to active voice is not that difficult. For this, we have some tips:
- Make it strong. Replace weak verbs like “was” or “is” with action verbs that showcase your abilities.
- Subject as the doer. Make sure your sentence’s subject is performing the action you describe.
- Read aloud. Does your essay flow smoothly? Active voice makes your writing more engaging for both you and the reader.
To Sum It Up
Re-read your essay as carefully as possible, looking for the passive voice. Often we can use these constructions unconsciously, out of habit. However, this is not always appropriate. Consider whether it would be better to use the active voice in your essay. Maybe it can change everything drastically.
Writing an admissions essay can take a lot of effort and time, and we understand that better than anyone. When times get tough, you can always get advice or help from our editors who can take your writing to another level.
Related: Tone in Writing
