Active and Passive Voices

Active Voice Passive Voice If the subject of the sentence is doing an action …..then it is active voice. example: The boy hit the ball. (The boy (subject) is doing something…hitting) Passive Voice If something is being done to the subject of the sentence….then it is in passive voice. example: The ball was hit by the boy.

Construction of passive voice sentences: They usually begin with a thing rather than a person They use a two-word verb “is” or “was” followed by a past-tense verb They sometimes end with a phrase starting with “by” that identifies the doer of the action All expenses were approved by the CEO. Can be left out Starts with a thing Two-word verb

Active Voice The active voice is preferred In active voice sentences, the subject of the verb performs the action I heated the solution You made a mistake

Exercise Instructions: Decide whether each of the following sentences uses the active or passive voice The first one is done for you

Sample Answer The new procedure is thought to be superior by the president. Active Voice  Passive Voice It should be written in the active voice The president thinks the new procedure is superior

Exercise The song was played by the English teacher. passive

I can approve your loan when you have provided us with collateral. active

The editing of the financial reports was done over the weekend by the accountant. passive

We made a major error by spelling our client’s name wrong in the report. active

The observer saw the needle on the gauge jump into the red zone at the same time the circuit overloaded. active

Verification of passwords must be done on a daily basis by security personnel. passive

I left the window open last night and killed all the plants. Active

The software was installed incorrectly on your computer. passive

You failed to submit the application before the due date active