passive voice
The voice of an action verb refers to the relationship of the verb to the subject.
- When the subject performs the action, the verb is in the active voice.
Bob made a decision.
The subject is "Bob" and the verb is "made." The subject performed the action: Bob is the one who made the decision. The verb "made" is in the active voice.
- When the subject receives the action, the verb is in the passive voice.
A decision was made.
The subject is "decision" and the verb is "was made." The subject did not perform the action: the decision did not make anything. In this sentence, the subject received the action so the verb is in the passive voice.
