With another school year upon us, we resume tutoring math, sciences, English, etc.  Tonight:  a post about English.

Active voice and passive voice are both easy to understand.  Behold:

Active:  Bob presented the speech.

Passive:  The speech was presented by Bob.

Since the passive voice gives a gentler rendering of an event, most people prefer it. Consider the following:

Active:  I broke your ruler.

Passive:  Your ruler got broken.

Which telling would you more likely expect?

While the passive voice is preferred by everyday people, the active voice is preferred by people who mark writing assignments.  Specifically, the active voice gives a livelier, more honest telling of an event.  Such is the opinion of most English academics nowadays.

Hope this helps.  By the way:  welcome back to school!  All the best this academic year from Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.

Source: Harbrace Handbook for Canadians, sixth edition. 2003: Nelson Education Ltd.