In terms of grammar, what defines active voice?

• A. The subject receives the action
• B. The subject is performing the action
• C. The action is stated in a passive form
• D. The sentence is in past tense

Answer: (B)

Active voice is defined by the subject of the sentence performing the action of the verb. In this structure, the focus is on who is doing the action, leading to a direct and dynamic representation of actions in sentences. For example, in the sentence “The dog chased the ball,” the subject "the dog" is actively performing the action of chasing. This clarity is one of the main advantages of active voice, making it generally preferred in writing for its straightforwardness and vigor.

In contrast, when a sentence is in passive voice, the subject receives the action rather than performs it, which can lead to confusion or a lack of clarity. The tense of the sentence, whether past or otherwise, does not determine the voice; both active and passive constructions can exist in various tenses. Thus, while past tense can certainly appear in active voice constructions, it is not a defining characteristic of active voice. The defining aspect is the role of the subject in relation to the verb.