NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

In what type of voice does the subject perform the main action of the sentence?

1. Passive voice

2. Active voice

3. Conditional voice

4. Subjunctive voice

The correct answer is: Active voice

In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the main action. This is characterized by a clear subject-verb-object structure where the subject initiates the action described by the verb. For example, in the sentence "The dog chased the ball," the subject "the dog" is performing the action of chasing. Active voice enhances clarity and directness, making it easier for the reader to understand who is doing what. This voice is commonly used to convey straightforward actions, thus contributing to clearer communication. In contrast, passive voice shifts the focus from the subject performing the action to the subject receiving the action, which can make sentences more complex and sometimes less engaging. Conditional and subjunctive voices serve different grammatical functions related to conditions and hypothetical situations, respectively, and do not emphasize the subject performing the action in the same way that active voice does.