Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byVirgil Manning Modified over 8 years ago
1
Created by Kathryn Reilly The Passive Voice
2
The passive voice occurs when writers place the object, instead of the subject, at the sentence’s beginning. – The jewel was hidden by the servant. – In this sentence, the subject (the servant) comes at the end of the sentence instead of the beginning. This places the sentence’s emphasis on the jewel, and increases reader curiosity.
3
Why Use the Passive Voice? Passive voice should be used to: – alert the reader to the subject’s absence – emphasize the object’s importance – streamline scientific writing
4
Using the Passive Voice The passive voice may be used effectively if the sentence lacks a subject. – The jewel was hidden. If it is unknown who hid the jewel, then the passive voice should be used. And/or if the writer wishes to create suspense by withholding this information, then the passive voice is appropriate.
5
Using the Passive Voice The passive voice may be used effectively to emphasize the object’s importance to the sentence. – The jewel was found two centuries later. If the focus is on the jewel and not who found it, then it would be more appropriate to use the passive voice.
6
Using the Passive Voice The passive voice may be used in scientific writing to describe a process or result. – The bacteria was added to the Petri dish. In scientific writing, the passive voice allows the writer to focus on the steps or processes involved in the research.
7
The passive voice requires two elements: – The object at the sentence’s beginning – A linking verb paired with a regular verb Common linking verbs: is, are, was, were The firefighter saved the puppy. – Ask what was saved to identify the object. (The puppy) The puppy was saved by the firefighter. – Now, the sentence focuses on the puppy instead of the firefighter. Creating the Passive Voice
8
Writing in Passive Voice To write in passive voice, identify the object and pair a linking verb with a regular verb: Active voice: A servant saved the kingdom. Ask: What was saved? A kingdom. Passive voice: A kingdom was saved by a servant.
9
Use the passive voice when – The subject is unknown – The object is the focus – Writing a scientific process To write in the passive voice, place the object at the sentence’s beginning. Passive Voice Review
Similar presentations
© 2024 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.