SILGLOBALGlossary of
Linguistic Terms

Glossary term A

Active Voice

Definition

Active voice is a voice that indicates a subject has the semantic function of actor.

Examples

(English)

The following sentence construction is in active voice. The subject Jones has the semantic function of actor.

  • Jones built the house.

    • The above active construction contrasts with the following construction in passive voice, where Jones has the semantic function of actor but house is the subject:

  • The house was built by Jones.

    • See also

    Subject Passive Voice Semantic Role

    Sources 5

    1. Crystal 1980, 12
    2. Pei and Gaynor 1954, 6
    3. Hartmann and Stork 1972, 251–252
    4. Nida 1949, 168
    5. Mish 1991, 54
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