Special Agent Entrance Practice Exam

Which term describes the structure where the subject comes before the verb?

1. Passive voice

2. Active voice

3. Complex sentence

4. Simple sentence

The correct answer is: Active voice

The term that describes the structure where the subject comes before the verb is indeed active voice. In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb. For example, in the sentence "The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse," the cat is doing the action of chasing. This structure is straightforward and typically seen as more direct and dynamic in writing. In contrast, passive voice rearranges this structure, placing the object of the action at the front. A complex sentence involves clauses that can include dependent clauses alongside independent clauses, and a simple sentence is defined as containing a single independent clause. Both complex and simple sentences do not inherently dictate the subject-verb order as active voice does. Therefore, the active voice is distinctly focused on the arrangement where the subject precedes the verb, aiding clarity and engagement in communication.