Active and Passive Voice How to Choose Verbs

Active versus Passive Active Voice Passive Voice The subject of the sentence performs the verb Example: The dog bit the boy Passive Voice The subject is acted upon Example: The boy was bitten by the dog.

Which is stronger: Active or Passive? Active voice helps to create clear and direct sentences Passive voice adds unnecessary words to a sentence

Helping Verbs What are they? Can create passive voice verbs thathelp the main verb in a sentence by extending the meaning of the verb. They add detail to how time is conveyed in a sentence.  Can create passive voice

Example Helping Verbs Approved List of Helping Verbs to be to have to do Conditionals am are is was were be being been have has had having do does did doing done could should would can shall will may might must

To Be or Not to Be… Be verbs They create boring reading Eliminating “be verbs” helps to create an active voice Replace them with stronger, action verbs

Be Verbs “Be Verb” Usage Be Is, Are, Am (present tense) 's 're 'm (used in contractions) Was (past tense) Were Been Being

Practice… A book club has been formed by the librarian. The balloons were delivered by a happy clown. Someone broke the shop window last night. The computer was fixed by Mr. Edmunds. Lucinda had planted those marigolds. The trees were being blown over by the wind. The street lights made long, scary shadows on the sidewalk. The swelling on Joe’s arm was caused by the bee sting.