Tips to Recognize the Passive Voice

Sometimes a sentence in passive voice does not necessarily sound "wrong" or wordy. However, it is still best to write in
active voice when possible.
In order to recognize that a sentence is in passive voice, watch out for these keywords:

Be
Is
Are
A
Was
Were
Has been
Have been
Will be
Being

PRACTICE
Change the sentence to passive.

Example of active voice

Part of speech

Subject

Verb

Object

Sentence

The group

will present

the report

STEP ONE: Move the object to the subject position.

The report...
STEP TWO: Change the verb to the BE form + the past participle of the verb. Make sure that BE takes the same tense as
the verb in the active sentence
The report will be presented...
STEP THREE: Move the subject to the position after the verb. This is what we call the by phrase.
The report will be presented by the group.
NOTE: Some passive sentences drops the subject and do not have the by phrase.
EXAMPLE:
The report will be presented.
The money was stolen.
They are paid on Fridays.

EXERCISES:
IDENTIFY WHETHER THE SENTENCE IS IN THE PASSIVE VOICE OR ACTIVE VOICE.
1. I ate a piece of chocolate.
2. The librarian read the books to the students.
3. The movie is being made in Hollywood.
4. His hair was cut by a professional.
5. The national anthem was being sung by Jason this time.
IDENTIFY WHETHER THE VERB IS IN THE ACTIVE OR PASSIVE VOICE.
1. Play
2. Is fixed
3. Will be delivered
4. Surrender
5. Were being collected
REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. Change the active to passive voice and vice versa.
1. The crew paved the entire stretch of highway.

2. The house will be cleaned by me on Saturday.

3. The entire house was painted by Tom.

4. The teacher always answers the students questions.

5. She faxed her application to the company.

6. That piece is really enjoyed by the choir.

7. The forest fire destroyed the whole suburb.

8. The two kings are signing the treaty.

9. Larry generously donated money to the charity.

10. Susan will bake two dozen cupcakes for the bake sale.