Knowra Grammatical voice Grammatical voice Grammatical voice describes how a clause maps an event’s participants onto grammatical relations such as subject and object. It distinguishes constructions such as active and passive clauses.
Active voice : A grammatical voice construction in which the subject typically represents the agent or doer of an action. It presents the agent as subject, the usual baseline for comparing voice constructions.
Subject (grammar) : A grammatical relation commonly associated with agreement, clause structure, and control of certain constructions. Voice can change which participant holds the subject relation.
Grammatical aspect : A grammatical category that presents an event according to its temporal development or internal structure. Aspect combines with voice to shape the presentation of an event.
Middle voice : A voice category or construction that presents an event as centered on its subject, often with reduced distinction between agent and patient. It contrasts with active and passive patterns by blurring or collapsing participant roles.
Agent (grammar) : The semantic role of an entity that initiates or performs an action. In active clauses, the agent commonly occupies subject position.
Object (grammar) : A grammatical relation typically assigned to a noun phrase selected by a transitive verb. Passive voice can demote an object from its usual relation or position.
Grammatical mood : A grammatical category expressing a clause’s status, such as whether it is asserted, commanded, or hypothetical. Mood and voice can be marked together on the same verb.
Reflexive construction : A construction in which a participant acts on itself, commonly marked by a reflexive pronoun or affix. It can resemble middle voice, but specifically identifies coreference between participants.
Patient (grammar) : The semantic role of an entity that undergoes or is affected by an action. Passive constructions commonly place the patient in subject position.
Transitivity (grammar) : The grammatical property of a clause or verb involving one or more objects. Many voice contrasts alter how a transitive clause expresses its participants.
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