Active and passive voice

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1. ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify the difference between active and passive voice . Construct sentences in active and passive voice . Determine the voice of the verb in the given sentences.

3. Voice is the form a verb takes to indicate whether the subject of the verb performs or receives the action.

4. Active Voice A c t i v e V o i c e – i nd i c a te s t ha t t h e 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 .

5. 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).  Kristy will give a book report to the class. Kristy (subject) is doing the giving (verb).

6. Passive Voice In a passive voice sentence, the subject and o b je ct f l i p - f l op . T h e su b je ct b e c o m e s 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 .

7. 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 ).

8. Reasons to Use the Active Voice Most writers prefer to use active voice because it is more direct. Compare  A c t i v e : Th e w a ite r d r o p p e d th e t r ay of food.  P as siv e : Th e t r ay of f o o d w as d r o p p ed by the waiter.

9. Reasons to Use the Active Voice The active voice is less awkward and clearly states relationship between subject and action. Compare  P assi v e : Y o u r r eq u e s t f o r f u nd i n g h as b een de ni ed by the review committee.  A c t i v e: T h e re v i ew c omm i t t ee de ni ed y o u r r eq u e s t f or funding. The active voice sentence pattern propels the reader forward through your writing thus avoiding weak prose.

10. When to Use Passive Voice In general, the passive voice is less direct, less forceful, and less concise than the active voice.   Use the passive voice in the following situations: Use passive voice when you do not know or do not want to reveal the performer of an action. Use passive voice when you want to emphasize the receiver of an action.

11. E x a m p l es My bicycle was repainted by John. My bicycle was repainted . ( The performer is not mentioned and the emphasis is on the bicycle. )

12. Form of Passive Voice Verbs The passive voice requires a "double verb" and will always consist of a form of the verb " to be " and the past participle (usually the " en/ed/t " form) of another verb. Example: Active: John baked the bread. Passive: The bread was baked by John. ( Was is a form of the verb “be”.)

13. Form of Passive Voice Verbs Writers should be familiar with the forms of "to be" , often called linking verbs, so that they can easily identify the passive voice in their work. Review the forms of " to be ":  am , i s , a r e , w a s , were , be , bei n g , b een

14. Form of Passive Voice Verbs Note the forms of "to be" in the examples of the verb "to kick" in various forms of the passive voice: is kicked----------------had been kicked was kicked-------------is going to be kicked is being kicked---------will be kicked has been kicked-------can be kicked was being kicked------should be kicked

15. Form of Passive Voice Verbs Often passive voice sentences will contain a " by " phrase indic a ting who or what performed the action. Passive sentences can be easily transformed into active sentences when the object of the preposition " by " is moved to the subject position in the sentence.

16. Changes of Pronouns from active to passive Active voice Passive voice I me we us You you he him she her it it They Them

17. FUNDAMENTAL RULES The places of subject and object are interchanged. Active I write a letter Passive : A letter is written by me .

18. 2. Past participle is always used ad main verb in sentences of passive voice for all tenses. Active : He sings a song. Passive : A song is sung by him.

19. 3. The by phrase can be omitted. Example : The meat was eaten ( by the dog).

20. Form of Passive Voice Verbs Examples:  P assi v e : Th e c ook i e s wer e e a t e n b y t h e c h i l dr e n.  A c t i ve : T h e c h i l dr e n a t e th e c ook i e s.  P assi v e : Th e t u nn e l s a r e d ug b y t h e goph e r s.  A c t i v e : T h e g oph e r s d ug t h e t u nn e l s.

21. Let’s Practice Directions: Change the sentences below to the active voice . A book is bought by her . Answer:

22. She buys a book.

23. The students were called by the teacher .

24. The teacher called the students.

25. A novel was being read by DJ.

26. DJ was reading a novel.

27. Directions : Change the sentences below to the passive voice . 1. Jessica always plays the piano.

28. The piano is always played by Jessica.

29. 2. Magcawas cleaned the house.

30. The house was cleaned by Magcawas .

31. Miel will sing a beautiful song.

32. A beautiful song will be sung by Miel .

33. Offline Activity : Answer Practice Exercises Letter A only located on page 308 of your book .

34. PRACTICE EXERCISE My mother made a cake yesterday. The tiger was chasing the deer. She has learned her lessons. She has written a novel. I will never forget this experience.