What is the difference
between the next sentences?
The Minions built the pyramids
The pyramids were built by the Mininons
By: MSc. Julio
Using Active and
Passive Voice
By: MSc. Julio
Verbs and Voice
Voice is the form a verb takes to
indicate whether the subject of
the verb performs or receives the
action.
There are two types of voice:
active voice and passive voice.
voice
By: MSc. Julio
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.
Lebron played a great game.
Lebron scored three points.
By: MSc. Julio
Passive Voice
Passive voice is when the subject of
the sentence is the recipient of the
action.
Example:
The basketball was thrown by Lebron.
A great game was played by Lebron.
Three points were scored by Lebron.
By: MSc. Julio
Why does it matter?
Active voice is more direct and concise.
Active voice is more common and “easier”.
Passive voice is usually wordier.
Passive voice is commonly used in
newpapers headlines.
By: MSc. Julio
When would you WANT to use passive voice?
When the agent is unknown or not important.
For example,
example “Anne was given a kiss”
When intentionally trying to hide the subject of the sentence.
For example,
example a politician might say, “The mistake was made by someone.” Hiding
the subject helps him/her hide the blame.
When intentionally trying to minimize the guilt of the subject. For example,
example a
cheating boyfriend might say, “Cheating was committed by me.”
When passive voice better emphasizes the main point of the message, that is to say,
when the object is more important, such as “Children were harmed by the drunk
driver.”
When writing or having a formal speech, such as, public information, media reports,
news headlines, rules, signs, brochures. For example,
example “Cycling is not allowed in this
area” / “Booking can be made on line”.
By: MSc. Julio
Form of Passive Voice
The passive voice requires a "double verb"
verb
and will always consist of a form of the
verb "to be" and the past participle of
another verb.
Example:
Active: John baked the bread.
Passive: The bread was baked by John.
By: MSc. Julio
Form of Passive Voice
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":
Infinitive: to be
Base: be
Present: am, is, are
Past: was, were
Continuous: being
Past Participle: been
Future: will be
By: MSc. Julio
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
By: MSc. Julio
Form of Passive Voice Verbs
Examples:
Passive: The cookies were eaten by the children.
Active: The children ate the cookies.
Passive: The tunnels are dug by the gophers.
Active: The gophers dig the tunnels.
By: MSc. Julio
Form of Passive Voice Verbs
By: MSc. Julio
Are questions going to be
asked by the students?
By: MSc. Julio
Let’s 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.
By: MSc. Julio
Let’s 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.
By: MSc. Julio
Let’s Practice
Directions: Change the sentences below to
the passive voice.
1. They make many movies in Hollywood.
2. Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.
3. The students will give a presentation tomorrow.
4. We have painted the house.
5. She had eaten the whole pizza when you
arrived.
By: MSc. Julio
Rewrite the following paragraph in the active voice.
Last summer our house was painted by me.
First, the exterior was washed using warm water
and a mild detergent. Then all of the chinks in
the walls were sealed with putty. After the
putty had had a chance to dry, the exterior
could be painted. A latex paint was used
because it is easy to apply and cleans up with
water. A whole week was needed to finish this
part of the job. A color was used that was very
close to the original color. When the job was
finished, a great deal of satisfaction was felt by
me. Even my dad said that a good job was
done.
By: MSc. Julio
Thanks for your
attention..!!!!
By: MSc. Julio
