Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Active Voice
Active Voice indicates that
the subject of the verb is
acting
Because the subject does or
"acts upon" the verb in such
sentences, the sentences are
said to be in the active voice.
Active Voice
The subject of the sentence
performs the action
Active Voice
Active voice is used to show that the
subject of the sentence is performing or
causing the action.
Example:
Lebron threw the basketball before the
buzzer.
Lebron shot the basketball from the free
throw line.
Lebron scored three points.
Active Voice
These examples show that the
subject is doing the verb's action.
The dog jumped onto the boy.
The dog (subject) is doing the jumping (verb).
Passive Voice
Passive voice is used when the subject
is the recipient of the action.
Example:
The ball was thrown by Lebron.
The basket was shot by Lebron.
The score was made by Lebron.
Passive Voice
In a passive voice sentence, the
subject and object flip-flop. The
subject becomes the passive
recipient of the action.
Because the subject is being "acted
upon" (or is passive), such sentences
are said to be in the passive voice.
Passive Voice
These examples show the subject
being acted upon by the verb.
The boy was jumped on by the dog.
Boy (subject) was being jumped on (verb)
Examples
Awkward Passive: My bicycle
was repainted by John.
Deliberate Passive: My bicycle
was repainted. (The performer
is not mentioned and the
emphasis is on the bicycle.)
Lets Practice
Directions: Change the sentences
below to the active voice.
1. The statue is being visited by hundreds of
tourists every year.
2. My books were stolen by someone yesterday.
3. These books had been left in the classroom by
a careless student.
4. Coffee is raised in many parts of Hawaii by
plantation workers.
5. The house had been broken into by someone
while the owners were on vacation.
Lets Practice
Directions: Change the sentences
below to the passive voice.
1. Children cannot open these bottles easily.
2. The government built a road right outside
her front door.
3. Mr. Ross broke the antique vase as he
walked through the store.
4. When she arrived, the changes amazed her.
5. The construction workers are making street
repairs all month long.
Lets Practice
Label the following sentences ACTIVE or PASSIVE.
1.Louise made the chocolate cake.
2.The chocolate cake was made by Louise.
3.The package was advertised by the travel agent.
4.The travel agent advertised the package.
5.The chain was broken by my brother.
6.My brother broke the chain on my bike.
7.I hemmed the prom dress.
8.The prom dress was hemmed by me.
9.The pencil on the floor was broken by him.
10.He broke the pencil on the floor.
Lets Practice
Directions: Change the sentences below to
the active voice.
1. The statue is being visited by hundreds of
tourists every year.
2. My books were stolen by someone yesterday.
3. These books had been left in the classroom by
a careless student.
4. Coffee is raised in many parts of Hawaii by
plantation workers.
5. The house had been broken into by someone
while the owners were on vacation.
Excercise
The potholes are being repaired by
the workers. Hot, black, asphalt
was poured into the potholes by
the crew. Safe driving on the part
of the public is appreciated by the
road crew to insure their safety.
Excercise
The professor graded the essays.
Many students scored well
because they used active voice.
One student almost failed because
he had too many passive
sentences. The professor
recommended the student to the
Center for Teaching and Learning.