active and passive voice

• English
• Primary Education
• Age 10

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

WHAT IS 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.

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EXAMPLES

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).

Kristy will give a book report to the class.

Kristy (subject) is doing the giving (verb).

The computer ate my paper.

* The computer (subject) is doing the eating (verb).

FORMATION OF ACTIVE VOICE

n most English sentences with an action verb, the subject performs the action denoted by the verb. These examples show that the subject is doing the verb's action. Because the subject does or "acts upon" the verb in such sentences, the sentences are said to be in the active voice.

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.

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)

▪ A book report will be given by Kristy to the class.

Report (subject) will be given (verb).

My paper was eaten by the computer.

Paper (subject) was being eaten (verb).

FORMATION OF PASSIVE VOICE

The passive voice is formed by using a form of the auxiliary verb “be” (be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been) followed by the past participle of the main verb. He loves me. I am loved. We took our children to the circus.

Reasons to Use the Active Voice

▪ The active voice is less awkward and clearly states relationship between subject and action

Compare

Passive: Your request for funding has been denied by the review committee.

Active: The review committee denied your request for funding.

▪ The active voice sentence pattern propels the reader forward through your writing thus avoiding weak prose.

Voice of t

PESSY BE

Reason for using passive voice

The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes the subject of the sentence.

change to active voice
1. My books were stolen by the thief yesterday

Change into passive voice
1. Hundred of tourist visit this statue every year