Write actively—passive voice obscures subject, is wordy
and often makes sentences more awkward.
--also makes your sentences flat and boring.
The difference between the two is mainly syntax and
verb form.
Active
--subject performs the action
Actor (subject)
Action (verb)
Acted upon
The dog bit the boy
Johnny will present his research project.
Scientists conduct experiments to test the hypothesis.
Passive
--what ever is acted upon is in the place of the subject—the
subject replaces what has been acted upon. However, the
meaning of the sentence doesn’t change.
The boy bit the dog. (Does this mean the same as the
sentence above?)
Acted upon
being verb +past participle
Actor
Being verbs= is, are, were, was, be, being
Past participle= verb with –ed yet many irregular (think of
the verb preceded by has)
Irregulars
Base Form
Simple Past
Past Participle
arise
awake
be
bear
beat
become
begin
bend
bet
bid
bind
bite
bleed
blow
arose
awoke
was/were
bore
beat
became
began
bent
bet
bade/bid
bound
bit
bled
blew
arisen
awoken/awaked
been
borne
beaten
become
begun
bent
bet
bidden/bid
bound
bitten
bled
blown
What is the past participle of each root?
Bite
Present
Conduct
The boy was bitten by the dog.
The research project will be presented by Johnny.
Experiments have been conducted to test the hypothesis.
Quite simply, to turn an active verb into a passive phrase,
you place the appropriate being verb in front of the verb,
change the verb into a past participle and add “BY” if
necessary. Remember to switch actor and acted upon.
To find them in context:
Look for being verbs—not always passive, but a good start.
Look for by . . .
If being verb isn’t followed by –ing or an adjective, it is in
passive.
Look for past participle
Identify Active or Passive Sentences
1. The car was repaired by Sam.
2. He is running to the market.
3. The letter is being written.
4. Many tourists have visited the castle.
Change Active to Passive and Change Passive to Active
1. Sam repaired the car.
2. The market is being run to by him.
3. Bob is writing a letter.
4. The castle has been visited by many tourists.