Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Active voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence performs the action expressed by the verb. It adds clarity and directness to writing.
A grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action expressed by the verb. It can make your writing sound weak or impersonal.
Subject-Verb Agreement: The rule that states that subjects and verbs must agree in number (singular or plural) within a sentence.
Transitive Verb: A verb that requires an object to complete its meaning. For example, "She ate an apple." The verb "ate" needs an object ("an apple") to make sense.