Active and Passive Voice Why are we learning this? 1.Active voice is more concise than passive voice. Too much passive voice weakens writing. 2.Passive voice is acceptable, but only in certain contexts. Learn them! 3.VA DOE 11.7 The student will self- and peer-edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paraphrasing. c. Distinguish between active and passive voice.

Which sounds better? John loves Mary. Mary is loved by John. Explain. Active voice: Agent of the action (John) is in the subject position. Passive voice: The receiver of the action (Mary) is in the subject position. Passive voice requires more words: loves vs. is loved by

Active Voice In a sentence using active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed in the verb. The dog bit the boy. Scientists have conducted experiments to test the hypothesis. Watching a framed, mobile world through a car’s windshield reminds me of watching a movie or TV. Each example above includes a sentence subject performing the action expressed by the verb. Active voice is used for most non-scientific writing. Using active voice for the majority of your sentences makes your meaning clear for readers, and keeps the sentences from becoming too complicated or wordy. Even in scientific writing, too much use of passive voice can cloud the meaning of your sentences.

Passive Voice Passive voice is a type of sentence or clause in which the subject becomes the recipient of the verb’s action. It’s a verb form that meets two requirements. First, it must have a past participle (such as “loved” or “given”); and second, its subject fills a different semantic role (recipient rather than “do-er”). The entrance exam was failed by over one-third of the applicants to the school. The brakes were slammed on by her as the car sped downhill. Your bicycle has been damaged. (by?) You can recognize passive voice because the verb phrase will include a form of be (was, am, are, been, is). Don't assume that just because there is a form of 'be' that the sentence is passive, however. Sometimes a prepositional phrase like "by the" in the sentences above indicates that the action is performed on the subject, and that the sentence is passive.

If the meaning is the same, always use the option with fewer words. Distinguish between passive and active voice in the following sentences. TIP: Find the verb. Ask, who did the action of the verb? If the “do-er” of the action is not given or if the subject is in a phrase starting with “by,” then it’s passive. 1.Motorcycles are known to be dangerous. 2.The roof was covered by snow. 3.The burglar robbed three banks. 4.Something frightening happened. 5.The essay was lost after she handed it in. 6.The tax bills were passed last year.

If the meaning is the same, always use the option with fewer words. Distinguish between passive and active voice in the following sentences. TIP: Find the verb. Ask, who did the action of the verb? If the “do-er” of the action is not given or if the subject is in a phrase starting with “by,” then it’s passive. 1.Motorcycles are known (by ?) to be dangerous. (Passive) 2.The roof was covered by snow. (Passive) 3.The burglar robbed three banks. (Active) 4.Something frightening happened. (Active) 5.The essay was lost (by ?) after she handed it in. (Passive) 6.The tax bills were passed (by ?) last year. (Passive) Now, make all the passive sentences active.

When it’s acceptable to use passive voice #1: In some rare instances, using passive voice is acceptable. The agent of action is unknown, obvious, or irrelevant. Unknown: My locker was robbed. Obvious: Drosophila melanogaster has been one of the most extensively studied species in genetics research. Irrelevant: Hawthorne’s most famous novel, The Scarlet Letter, was published in 1850.

When it’s acceptable to use passive voice #2: To emphasize the role of the action’s receiver. Example: Archie Bunker, an unapologetic racist, was, in the end, saved by a blood transfusion from a black man, one of the most satisfying moments of irony in TV sitcom history. Example: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

When it’s acceptable (but also rather sketchy) to use passive voice #3: The writer/speaker intentionally sidesteps responsibility or implies responsibility. Politicians LOVE this tactic. However, discerning readers are suspicious when the agent of action is omitted in this way. Example: Students will need to rewrite the essay because their papers were lost. (sidesteps responsibility) Example: While President Smith was in office, nine tax increases were approved. (implies responsibility)

Collaborative Practice: With a partner, determine which sentences are active voice and which are passive voice. Change the passive voice to active, unless you and your partner can explain why passive voice is the best way to frame the sentence.

People have used sundials since ancient times. Sundials have been used for almost three thousand years. Sundials, clocks, and watches are used to tell time. Some watches show the date as well as the time. On digital watches, the time is shown by lighted numbers. The first watches were worn around a person’s neck. Pocket watches became popular in the 1600s. Today most people wear wristwatches. Close to seventy million watches are sold in the United States each year. How many watches are made and sold throughout the world in one year?