Two tools for precision
Advanced writers make deliberate choices about voice (active or passive) and mood (the attitude a verb expresses). These choices affect clarity, emphasis, tone and formality. Mastering them helps you write precisely and recognize how others shape meaning.
Part 1: Active and passive voice
Active voice
In active voice, the subject performs the action.
The committee approved the proposal.
(subject = committee, the doer)
Passive voice
In passive voice, the subject receives the action. It is formed with a form of be + a past participle.
The proposal was approved by the committee.
(subject = proposal, the receiver)
The doer, called the agent, may appear after by or be omitted entirely:
The proposal was approved.
Identifying passive voice
Look for:
1. a form of be (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been),
2. followed by a past participle (often ending in -ed or irregular: written, taken, chosen).
A helpful test: if you can add by zombies after the verb and it still makes grammatical sense, it is probably passive. The window was broken (by zombies).
Note: Passive voice is not the same as past tense. She wrote the essay is past tense, active voice. The essay is written by her is present tense, passive voice.
When to use active voice
Active voice is usually:
– clearer (it shows who does what),
– more concise (fewer words),
– more direct and energetic.
Most style guides recommend active voice as the default.
When passive voice is appropriate
Passive voice is not wrong. It is useful when:
- The doer is unknown: The bike was stolen last night.
- The doer is unimportant or obvious: The election results were announced at midnight.
- You want to emphasize the receiver: The vaccine was developed in record time.
- Scientific and technical writing: The samples were heated to 100°C.
- Diplomacy or tact: Mistakes were made. (avoids blaming)
Passive voice and responsibility
Writers sometimes use passive voice to hide responsibility. Compare:
– The company dumped chemicals into the river.
– Chemicals were dumped into the river.
The second sentence removes the agent. When reading critically, notice who disappears in passive constructions.
Converting passive to active
- Find the agent (the doer). If missing, decide who it is.
- Make the agent the subject.
- Change the verb to active form.
The essay was graded by Ms. Ali. → Ms. Ali graded the essay.
Part 2: Verb mood
Verb mood shows the speaker’s attitude toward an action: is it a fact, a command, a question, a possibility or a wish?
Indicative mood
States facts or opinions, or asks factual questions. It is the most common mood.
The train leaves at noon. Does the train leave at noon?
(Some grammars call questions the interrogative mood.)
Imperative mood
Gives commands, requests or instructions. The subject you is usually implied.
Close the door. Please submit your essays by Friday.
Conditional mood
The conditional mood expresses what would, could or might happen under certain conditions, usually with would, could, might or should.
If it rained, we would cancel the picnic.
She could win if she trained harder.
Subjunctive mood
The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations, demands, recommendations and necessity. It is less common in modern English but important in formal writing.
1. Hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions: use were for all subjects.
– If I were the principal, I would extend lunch. (I am not the principal.)
– She acts as if she were in charge.
2. Wishes:
– I wish it were summer.
3. Demands, recommendations and requirements after that: use the base form of the verb.
– The teacher insists that every student be on time.
– I recommend that he submit the application early.
– It is essential that she attend the meeting.
Common subjunctive errors
✗ If I was you, I’d apologize. → ✓ If I were you, I’d apologize.
✗ The coach demanded that he runs laps. → ✓ The coach demanded that he run laps.
Note: If I was is acceptable when referring to a real past possibility: If I was rude yesterday, I apologize. (It may be true.)
Mood shifts
Avoid unnecessary shifts in mood within a sentence or passage.
✗ First, read the instructions, and then you should complete the questions. (imperative to indicative)
✓ First, read the instructions, and then complete the questions.
Using voice and mood rhetorically
- Active voice creates energy and accountability in arguments.
- Passive voice creates objectivity in scientific writing or emphasizes victims or outcomes.
- Imperative mood creates urgency in calls to action: Act now.
- Subjunctive mood opens space for imagination and ideals: If every citizen were informed…
- Conditional mood explores consequences: If we invested in transit, commutes would shrink.
Try it yourself
- Change to active voice: The mural was painted by students in Grade 12.
- Is this passive? The museum had been closed for repairs.
- Correct the mood: If she was taller, she could reach the shelf.
- Correct the mood: The board requires that every member signs the agreement.
- When might passive voice be the better choice? Give one example.
Answers: 1. Grade 12 students painted the mural. 2. Yes (had been closed). 3. If she were taller, she could reach the shelf. 4. …that every member sign the agreement. 5. When the doer is unknown or unimportant: The library was built in 1912.
Study tip
When revising, highlight every form of be followed by a past participle. For each, ask: Is the doer important? Would active voice be clearer? Keep passive only where it serves a purpose.
Quick recap
- Active voice: subject acts. Passive voice: subject receives the action (be + past participle).
- Prefer active voice for clarity; use passive when the doer is unknown, unimportant or less important than the receiver.
- Notice how passive voice can hide responsibility.
- Moods: indicative (facts), imperative (commands), conditional (possibilities), subjunctive (wishes, hypotheticals, demands).
- Use were in hypotheticals and the base verb after demands with that.