ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE
Copy the following rule:
To eliminate the passive voice:
*remove the helping verb (is, am, are,
was, were, be, been, being)
*flip/flop the ends of the sentence
• Verbs are said to be either active
• Ex. The executive committee approved the new policy.
OR
• passive in voice.
• Ex. The new policy was approved by the government.
 In the active voice, the subject and verb relationship is
straightforward: the subject is a be-er or a do-er and the
verb moves the sentence along.
 In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is
neither a do-er or a be-er, but is acted upon by some
other agent or by something unnamed.
TIP: WHEN WRITING, LEARN TO USE ACTIVE VERBS.
Avoid the PASSIVE VOICE which slows the sentence down. (Verbs in the passive voice use is, am,
was, were, be, been, or being in front of the past participle.)
Examples: Kim was hit by Kerry. (This sentence is in the passive voice.)
Kerry hit Kim. (This sentence is in the active voice.)
Refer to your notes
WHAT 2 THINGS DO WE DO TO ELIMINATE THE PASSIVE VOICE?
Example:
Passive Voice – “The man was given an award by the service club.”
Active Voice – “The service club gave the man an award.”
INSTRUCTIONS: The following sentences are written in the passive voice.
Rewrite them in the active voice.
Remember: To eliminate the passive voice –
*remove the helping verb *flip/flop the ends of the sentence
1. The letter was sent via air mail.
2. They were regarded as heroes by us.
3. The food was eaten by the hungry men.
4. The cake was baked by Janet.