What distinguishes active voice from passive voice?

The distinction between active voice and passive voice lies primarily in how the action and the subjects are presented in a sentence. When using active voice, the subject of the sentence is the one performing the action, which creates a clearer and more direct statement. For example, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the focus is on the cat as the doer of the action.

On the other hand, in passive voice constructions, the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action instead of the performer. For instance, “The mouse was chased by the cat” places emphasis on the action being performed on the mouse rather than on the cat. This shift in focus can alter the clarity and impact of the sentence, often making passive constructions less engaging or harder to follow.

The other options present statements that do not accurately reflect the fundamental difference between active and passive voice. A crucial understanding in writing is that using active voice can enhance clarity and engagement, while passive voice can be appropriate in certain contexts but is not inherently incorrect.