EVIATC EVOIC

SSPAIVE VIOEC
VOICES OF THE VERB
In traditional grammar, voices
of the verb is defined as the
quality of verb that indicates
whether its subject acts or
acted upon.
It has two types: ACTIVE
VOICE and PASSIVE VOICE.
Using Active and
Passive Voice
Active Voice
Active voice is used to show that
the subject of the sentence is
performing or causing the action.
The dog jumped onto the boy.
The dog (subject) is doing the
jumping (verb) onto the boy
(object).
Passive Voice
Passive voice is used when
the subject is the recipient of
the action.
The dog jumped onto the boy.
The dog (subject) is doing the
jumping (verb) onto the boy
(object).

The boy was jumped on by the

dog.
Boy (subject was being jumped
on (verb) by the dog (object).
Why does it matter?
Active voice is more direct and
concise.
Passive voice is usually wordier.
CHANGING ACTIVE
TO PASSIVE
CONSTRUCTIONS
AND VICE VERSA
1. For the present tense, use is or are + the
past participle of the verb
Example:
Active: The king savors the delicious meal.
Passive: The delicious meal is savored by
the king.
2. For the past tense, use was or were + past
participle of the verb.
Example:
Active: My sister wrote the screenplay of
the movie.
Passive: The screenplay of the movie was
written by my sister.
3. For the future tense, use will + be + the
past participle of the verb.
Example:
Active: The dean will announce the good
news.
Passive: The good news will be announced
by the dean.
PASSIVE TO ACTIVE
To change a sentence with a passive
construction to an active
construction, make the actor (often
identified by the “by phrase”) as the
subject of the sentence.
Example:
Passive: The employee’s proper
etiquette is appreciated by the
president.
Active: The president appreciates the
employee’s proper etiquette.
Let’s Practice

Label the following sentences ACTIVE or PASSIVE.

1. Louise made the chocolate cake.

2. The chocolate cake was made by Louise.
3. The package was advertised by the travel agent.
4. The travel agent advertised the package.
5. The chain was broken by my brother.
6. My brother broke the chain on my bike.
7. I hemmed the prom dress.
8. The prom dress was hemmed by me.
9. The pencil on the floor was broken by him.
10.He broke the pencil on the floor.
 Let’s Practice
 Directions: Change the sentences below to
the passive voice.
1.He sings a song.
2.The boy killed the spider.
3.They took all the necessary
precautions.
4.I will finish the job by the end of this
week.
5.Farmers sow maize in the rainy
season.
ANSWERS
1. A song is sung by him. (Active verb – sings;
passive verb – is sung)
2. The spider was killed by the boy. (Active
verb – killed; passive verb – was killed)
3. All the necessary precautions were taken by
them. (Active verb – took; passive verb –
was/were taken)
4. The job will be finished (by me) by the end
of this week. (Active verb – will finish; passive
verb –will be finished)
5. Maize was sown in the rainy season by the
farmers. (Active verb – sow; passive verb –
is/are sown)