Understanding Active and Passive Voice in Arabic Grammar

What is Active and Passive Voice in Arabic?

In Arabic, the active voice is when the subject of the sentence performs the action. For example, "Ahmad wrote the letter." In contrast, the passive voice emphasizes the action and the object receiving it, rather than who is performing it, i.e., "The letter was written." Arabic uses specific verb forms to indicate active and passive voices.

Identifying Active Voice in Arabic

Active voice in Arabic uses the standard verb form where the subject is explicitly stated or understood. The verb structure remains unchanged, focusing on who is doing the action. For instance, in the sentence كتب أحمد الرسالة (Kataba Ahmad al-risala), Ahmad is the subject performing the action of writing.

Forming Passive Voice in Arabic

The passive voice in Arabic is formed by changing the verb pattern. This usually involves alterations in the vowel patterns within the verb root. For example, كُتِبَت الرسالة (Kutibat al-risala) translates to "The letter was written," where the verb has been modified to indicate the passive form.

Examples of Active and Passive Voice

Common Pitfalls in Using Passive Voice

When to Use Passive Voice in Arabic

The passive voice is useful when the focus is on the action itself, or when the doer is unknown or irrelevant. It is frequently used in formal and written Arabic contexts, such as news reports or academic writing, to maintain objectivity and emphasize the action over the subject.

Practice Makes Perfect

To master active and passive voice in Arabic, regular practice is essential. Try converting sentences from active to passive voice and vice versa, using different verb forms. Engaging with native Arabic content, such as news articles or books, can provide practical examples of how these grammatical structures are applied in real contexts.