Download Active and Passive Voice

Active and Passive Voice
Standard W1.2: SWBAT use precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate
modifiers, and the active rather than the passive voice.
ACTIVE VOICE

A verb is active if its subject performs the action.

The doctor called yesterday.


The doctor is the subject, performing the action of
calling.
Laura found a dinosaur bone.

Laura is the subject, performing the action of finding.
The subject should come before the verb!
PASSIVE VOICE

A verb is passive if its action is performed upon
the subject.

The doctor will be called tomorrow.


The doctor is the subject, but he is no longer
performing the action of calling; whoever is calling
him is not identified..
The dinosaur bone was found by Laura.

The dinosaur bone is now the subject, being found by
Laura; the bone has no part in what is happening to it..
Watch out for passive verbs made from be
+ past participle.
Write in an Active Voice!

Quality writing is direct.

Sentences with active voice are less wordy and more direct than those
with passive voice.






ACTIVE: The scientist opened the package.
PASSIVE: The package was opened by the scientist.
ACTIVE: My hungry dog stared intensely at his meal.
PASSIVE:___________________________________
ACTIVE: ___________________________________
PASSIVE: My best was awarded a medal by his soccer team.
Practice – 10 min

Part 1: Copy each sentence. Underline the verb phrase in each sentence.
Then, label it as ACTIVE or PASSIVE.

Part 2: Rewrite each sentence, changing from active to passive, or
passive to active.
1.
The study of all aspects of human life and culture is called anthropology.
2.
Anthropologists examine such things as people’s lives and their
interactions with their environments.
3.
Human diversity has been explored by anthropologists.
4.
Anthropologists investigate the common interests of people.
5.
Some common questions about humans are asked by anthropologists.
Practice – 20 min

Copy the paragraph below. Edit the paragraph to change passive voice
to active voice. Then, rewrite the paragraph so that it is all in an active
voice.
“Archaeology is also studied by anthropologists. The study of past human
societies and culture is focused on by archaeologists. Various artifacts
have been studied by archaeologists. The remains of items made by past
humans - such as tools, pottery, and buildings – are referred to as artifacts.
Fossils, or hardened remains of plant and animal life, have also been
looked at by archaeologists. Past environments are also examined by
archaeologists to understand how natural forces shaped the development
of human culture. Such factors as climate and the amount of food
available at that time are referred to as past environments. Cultures
existing before the development of writing have been studied by some
araeologists. This period is known as prehistory.”
Exit Slip

Which sentence uses ONLY the active voice?

A) The organization far exceeded its goal to raise $1.5 million when an
anonymous donor pledged a quarter of a million dollars.

B) The organization’s goal to raise $1.5 million was far exceeded when
an anonymous donor pledged a quarter of a million dollars.

C) The organization’s goal of raising $1.5 million was far exceeded when
an anonymous donor pledged a quarter of a million dollars.

D) The $1.5 million goal the organization had was far exceeded when a
quarter of a million dollars was pledged by an anonymous donor.
Copy down the sentence you choose as your
answer, and then EXPLAIN YOUR REASONING IN
COMPLETE SENTENCES!