Active and Passive Voice

Making your verbs act!

Standards

ELACC8L1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

b. Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.

c. Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.

d. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.*

Active and Passive Voice

• Active and passive voice only apply to action verbs or verb phrases containing action verbs

Remember: An action verb expresses mental or physical action

Ex. think, talk, has spoken, bounce, likes, created, perform, has wished, etc.

Linking verbs are just linking.

Active Voice

• Active voice is when the subject performs the action in a sentence.

• Active voice is a verb’s strongest usage.

Example: My uncle built that tree stand. My mom brought me to school.

Passive Voice

• Passive voice is when the subject simply receives the action.

• It is considered a weak way to use a verb

Example:The tree stand was built by my uncle. I was brought to school by my mom.

Comparing Active and Passive

Active: I watched television. Passive: The television was watched by me.

Active: Fireworks frighten my dog.Passive: My dog is frightened by fireworks.

Active: Actors perform plays.Passive: Plays are performed by actors.

Hint

• Often, passive voice will contain a prepositional phrase starting with “by”

• This isn’t always true, but it is a good rule of thumb.

ExampleEx. I am puzzled by square roots. Ex. The dress was worn by my mother.

Be Careful

• Just because you see “by” doesn’t mean it’s passive. The subject must still be receiving the action.

• Sometimes by=beside or created by

Ex. The food was eaten by the fish. Ex. The food landed by the fish. Ex. I sat by the lake. Ex. The ball was caught by the left fielder.

Why is this important?

• When writing, we need to make each sentence as strong as possible.

• Most of the time, it is BEST to write sentences in active voice. Active voice is strong, and passive voice is week.

Ex. A good role model often helps others. Ex. Others are often helped by a good role

model.

When is Passive Voice Okay

• Passive voice is okay ONLY when we do not know who performed an action.

Ex. The play was performed on Thursday. Ex. The employees were all fired. Ex. The fish were caught!Ex. The crime was solved.

Correct the Inappropriate Passive Voice in the Paragraph

Next, the cafeteria needs a riveting theme. Our cafeteria will resemble a 1950’s diner. Records and music notes will hang on the walls, and black and white checks will cover the floor. Music from the 50’s will be played by a jukebox in the corner. Students will sit in red booths. Food will be served by waitresses on roller skates. The diner will be admired by everyone.

Standards

ELACC8L1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

b. Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.

c. Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.

d. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.*