Glossary of Linguistic Terms

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.