From Vanguard Wiki
Abilities refer to actions used during combat, crafting, etc.
[edit] Passive Abilities
Passive abilities are not activated; they are always "on." An example of a passive ability is Elven Wisdom that all three elf races know that reduces energy cost by 2%.
[edit] Activated Abilities
These abilities must be activated (usually through an icon on the hotbar). Such abilities include most combat arts and spells, plus some other miscellanous abilities like Sprint or Summon Mount.