Active and Passive Voice

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE Wea Isabella Kaye S. Chua - BSN305

PRE-TEST

Directions: Identify whether the following sentences are written in the active or passive voice. Then write the doer of the action.

1. The desk was being cleaned by Mark.2. The man paint the wall.3. The dog is fed by Anna.4. The book was written by Danielle Steel .5. The family went to he park.

PRE-TEST ANSWERS

1. Passive – Mark2. Active – man3. Passive – Anna4. Passive – Danielle Steel5. Active - family

Defining VOICE

“Voice” is a characteristic of verbs which indicates the relation of the verb’s action to its subject.

The voice of a verb may be either active or passive.

Active Voice

In active voice sentences the subject does the action.

Active voice verbs are used when the subject is acting in a sentence.

Example:Angela browse the book.

Browse is an active voice because it allows the subject to undertake an action.

Passive Voice

In passive voice sentences the subject receives the action.

Passive voice verbs are used when the subject is being acted upon in a sentence.

You can recognize passive-voice expressions because the verb phrase will always include a form of the verb to be, such as am, is, was, were, are, or been (the presence of a be-verb, however, does not necessarily mean that the sentence is in passive voice). Another way to recognize passive-voice sentences is that the verb may be followed by a "by..." phrase which indicates the agent performing the action.

Passive Voice

Example:The book was browsed by Angela.

Was browsed is considered passive because it indicates that the subject (book) is receiving an action.

Verb Tenses

SIMPLE PRESENT Active:

Example: The company ships the computers to many foreign countries.

Passive: Example: Computers are shipped to many foreign

countries.

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE Active:

Example: The chef is preparing the food. Passive:

Example: The food is being prepared.

Verb Tenses

SIMPLE PAST Active:

Example: The delivery man delivered the package yesterday.

Passive: Example: The package was delivered yesterday.

PAST PROGRESSIVE Active:

Example: The producer was making an announcement.

Passive: Example: An announcement was being made.

Verb Tenses

FUTURE Active:

Example: Our representative will pick up the computer.

Passive: Example: The computer will be picked up.

PRESENT PERFECT Active:

Example: Someone has made the arrangements for us.

Passive: Example: The arrangements have been made for us.

Verb Tenses

PAST PERFECT Active:

Example: They had given us visas for three months. Passive:

Example: They had been given visas for three months.

FUTURE PERFECT Active:

Example: By next month we will have finished this job. Passive:

Example: By next month this job will have been finished.

Verb Tenses

Modals Active:

Example: You can use the computer.

Passive: Example: The computer can be used.

Active Voice

Sentences in active voice are generally, though not always, clearer and more direct than those in passive voice. Sentences in active voice are also more concise than those in passive voice because fewer words are required to express action in active voice.

Passive Voice

The sentence that uses the passive voice is less direct. It is, however, not incorrect to use the passive voice.

Sometimes the use of passive voice can create long and awkward sentences that cause the reader to lose interest or become confused. Also, overuse of the passive voice throughout an essay can cause your writing to seem flat and uninteresting. Passive voice can be useful, however, when the identity of the person performing the action is irrelevant, unknown, or purposefully left out.

Changing Active to Passive Voice When a verb which takes an object is

changed from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice, in order to preserve the meaning of the sentence, the former object becomes the subject of the verb, and the former subject may be preceded by the preposition by, and placed after the verb.

Example: Active: The squirrel ate the nut.Passive: The nut was eaten by the squirrel.

Changing Passive to Active

When a verb is changed from the Passive Voice to the Active Voice, in order to preserve the meaning of the sentence, the former subject becomes the object of the verb, and, if the sentence includes a phrase beginning with the preposition by, the former object of the preposition becomes the subject of the verb.

Example:Passive: The wine was ordered by the dealer.Active: The dealer ordered the wine.

POST-TEST

Directions: Rewrite the passive voice sentences as active voice sentences.

1. Passive: The dog was hit by the car.2. Passive: The house will be built by the

construction crew in five months.

Direction: Rewrite the active voice sentences as passive voice sentence.

3. Active: Julie answered the question.4. Active: The dolphins have learned many

tricks.

POST-TEST

Direction: Fill in the blanks with suitable active and passive verb forms.

5. The injured __________ to the hospital in an ambulance.a)    Were takingb)    Was takingc)    Were takend)    Have taken

6. As the patient could not walk he __________ home in a wheel chair.a)    Has carriedb)    Has been carriedc)    Was carriedd)    Was carrying

POST-TEST

7. The inmates of the juvenile home __________ well by their caretakers.a)    Were not being treatedb)    Were not treatingc)    Have not being treatedd)    Was not being treated

8. I __________ to become a successful writer.a)    Have always wantedb)    Am always wantedc)    Was always wantedd)    Am always wanting

POST-TEST

9. The teacher __________ the student for lying.a)    Has been punishedb)    Punishedc)    Is punishedd)    Was punished

10.  She __________ for a while.a)    Are ailingb)    Is ailingc)    Has been ailingd)    Have been ailing

POST-TEST

11. Choose a sentence that is written in a active voice. a.) Jose offered an elderly man his seat on the bus. b.) The security guard was alerted by his suspicious behavior. c.) The candidate’s plane will be met by many political supporters. d.) The speaker may be asked questions after his formal presentation.

POST-TEST

12. Choose the sentence that is written in the active voice.

a.) There were several important messages left on your machine. b.) Hopefully, the gifts were insured for their full value. c.) Alice was waiting for me by the water fountain. d.) Harold was hit on the forehead by a foul ball.

POST-TEST

13. Choose the sentence that is written in the active form. a.) The beached whale was rescued by concern marine biologists. b.) After resting from her walk, Lillian watched her favorite program. c.) A huge chocolate cake was delivered to Maya’s birthday party. d.) Has the letter been typed correctly on the word processor?

POST-TEST

14. Choose the sentence that is written in the passive voice. a.) Last month, the skating rink was sold to a new comer. b.) Will you drop me by my house after practice? c.) The radio announcer reported details of the breaking news story. d.) The entire class is planning a surprise party for Mrs. Billingsly.

POST-TEST

15. Choose the sentence that is written in the passive voice. a.) Please mail that package on your way to the supermarket. b.) Sergio is studying English in preparation for his visit to America.

c.) Walking is recommended as a healthful aerobic exercise. d.) Jennifer is wearing a new dress to the party on Saturday.

POST-TEST ANSWERS

1. The car hit the dog.2. The construction crew will build the

house in five months.3. The question was answered by Julie.4. Many tricks had been learned by the

dolphins.5. Were taken6. Was carried7. Were not being treated

POST-TEST ANSWERS

8. Have always wanted9. Punished10. Has been ailing11. A – Subject (Jose) is doing the action (offered).12. C – Subject (Alice) is doing the action (was

waiting).13. B – Subject (Lillian) is doing the action

(watched).14. A – An action (was sold) is being done to the

subject (skating rink).15. C – An action (is recommended) is being done

to the subject (Walking).