Understanding Active and Passive Voice in English Grammar

In English grammar, sentences can be structured in either active voice or passive voice. Understanding the difference is crucial for clear and effective communication.

The active voice is used when the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb. The structure is typically: Subject + Verb + Object.

The passive voice is used when the action of the verb is performed on the subject. The subject receives the action. The structure is typically: Object + Verb (usually a form of 'to be' + past participle) + (optional) by + Agent (the one performing the action).

Analyzing the Options for Active Voice

Let's examine each given sentence option to determine if it is in the active voice.

• Option 1: The neighbours have called the police.

  In this sentence, the subject is "The neighbours". The verb is "have called". The object is "the police". The neighbours are performing the action of calling. This structure fits the definition of active voice.

• Option 2: The police are being called by the neighbours.

  In this sentence, the subject is "The police". The verb phrase is "are being called". The action of calling is being performed on the police. The phrase "by the neighbours" indicates who is performing the action (the agent). This sentence structure (Subject + form of 'be' + past participle + by + agent) is characteristic of the passive voice.

• Option 3: The Police said to me, “I will call the neighbours.”

  This sentence contains both reported and direct speech. The first part, "The Police said to me," is in the active voice (The Police performed the action of saying). The direct speech, "“I will call the neighbours.”", is also in the active voice (I will perform the action of calling). However, the question asks for a sentence in active voice from the options, and option 1 presents a single, clear clause entirely in the active voice, which is often the intended focus in such questions contrasting simple active and passive structures like options 2 and 4.

• Option 4: The police have been called by the neighbours.

  In this sentence, the subject is "The police". The verb phrase is "have been called". The action of calling has been performed on the police. The phrase "by the neighbours" identifies the agent. This sentence structure (Subject + form of 'have' + 'been' + past participle + by + agent) is also characteristic of the passive voice (specifically, the present perfect passive).

Identifying the Correct Active Voice Sentence

Based on the analysis, Option 1 is the only sentence that clearly and entirely follows the structure of the active voice, where the subject ("The neighbours") performs the action ("have called") directly on the object ("the police").

Revision Table: Active vs. Passive Voice

Additional Information on Voice in Sentences

Choosing between active and passive voice depends on what you want to emphasize. Active voice is generally more direct, clear, and concise. It makes it clear who is performing the action.

Passive voice is useful when:

• The doer of the action is unknown or unimportant (e.g., "The window was broken").
• You want to emphasize the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer (e.g., "The experiment was conducted successfully").
• You want to sound more formal or objective, which is common in scientific or academic writing.

However, overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound awkward, unclear, and less engaging. For general writing, the active voice is often preferred.