Download Active voice Passive voice When should I use active voice?

Actives Vs.
Passive Voice
What is voice? Tells the reader whether the subject performs or receives the verb’s action.
Active voice The subject performs the action and the receiver takes the action of the verb.
EX: Molly cashed her check at the bank.
Molly (doer) cashed (verb) her check (receiver) at the bank.
Passive voice The receiver of the verb’s action becomes the subject of the sentence. The verb in
passive voice takes a form of the verb “to be” and the past participle of the main
verb.
EXAMPLES: The check was cashed by Molly at the bank
The check (receiver) was cashed (verb) by Molly (doer) at the bank.
OR
The check (receiver) was cashed (verb) at the bank. (no doer)
When should I Use active voice in most writing because it engages the reader more effectively
use active voice? than passive voice.
 Active voice is direct.
ACTIVE: John asked Teresa to dinner.
PASSIVE: Teresa was asked to dinner by John.

Verbs in the active voice are more lively because they emphasize the
agent of the action.
ACTIVE: The batter strikes the ball with the bat.
PASSIVE: The ball is struck by the batter with the bat.
When should I
use passive
voice?
Use passive voice sparingly

When emphasizing the receiver is more important than emphasizing the
agent of the action
PASSIVE: The president was elected three years ago.
ACTIVE: Voters elected the president three years ago.

When the agent is unknown
PASSIVE: The money was stolen last night.
ACTIVE: Someone stole the money last night.

When your discipline wants writing to appear objective and fact-based.
Scientists and business writing often use passive voice.
PASSIVE: The check was mailed late.
ACTIVE: I mailed the check late.
Active and Passive Voice
Part 1 Directions: Decide whether the following sentences are written in the active or passive
voice. Then write the doer of the action on the line to the right. If the doer is unknown, write a question
mark (?).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Thomas feeds his dog.
The dog is fed by Thomas.
The family went to the beach.
The letter was written by Marshall.
The game had been won by the blue team.
The problem was solved.
The stunt man risked his life.
The fire was extinguished.
The car was being cleaned by its owner.
It gets cold here during the winter.
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
active / passive ____________
Part 2 Changing Active Voice to Passive Voice: Rewrite each sentence to express
passive voice.
1. Eliza won first place in the marathon.
2. Several friends admired my new bike.
3. I broke the window last week.
4. My friend patted me briskly on the shoulder.
5. The singer created excitement wherever he went
Part 3 Changing Passive Voice to Active Voice: Rewrite each sentence to express
active voice.
1. The contest was won by a girl from another school
2. Clara was driven to school by her mother
3. Good deeds are performed by the Brownies.
4. The bread was baked by John, Michael, and Erin.
5. Eyes are examined by optometrists.