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active and passive voice

Whether the subject performs the action (active) or receives it (passive).

In active voice, the subject performs the verb's action (The chef prepared the meal). In passive voice, the direct object is promoted into the subject slot and receives the action instead, with the verb built from a form of "be" plus a past participle (The meal was prepared). Only transitive verbs can be made passive.

Examples

  • The chef prepared the meal (active).

  • The meal was prepared by the chef (passive).

See also

transitive and intransitive verbs
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