Verbs
• Verbs are the most important words in a
sentence
• Every sentence must have at least one verb
• Verbs can change in several ways
• They can be in the past, present or future
tense
• I run, I will run, I ran, I am running, I
was running, I will be running
• They can also change depending on who is
doing the action
I run
You run
He runs
I am
You are
He is
We are
Active and passive verbs
• This is another way in which verbs can
change.
• They can be in the active or the passive
voice.
• Many verbs can be used in both forms.
Sentences containing active verbs are clear
and easy to understand.
In these sentences the verb is active.
• The dog bit the man.
• The family watched Coronation Street.
• David telephoned Emily.
In these sentences the subject of the sentence
performs an action.
The dog bit the man.
In this sentence the dog is the subject. The
sentence is about him.
The verb is bit.
The man is the person who has the action
done to him. This is called the object of the
sentence.
The man was bitten by the dog.
• This sentence is in the passive voice.
• The person who has the action done to him
becomes the subject.
• He does not do the action (Man bites dog
would be rather unusual).
• The action is done to him.
Clues to help you spot a passive verb.
• Look for the words by or by the in the
sentence.
• Here are some more passive sentences.
• Coronation Street was watched by the
family.
• Emily was phoned by David.
• The computer was repaired by the engineer.
To change sentences from passive to active
The computer was
The engineer repaired
repaired by the engineer.
the computer.
Look for the verb
Find the person or thing doing the action (the word by
gives you a clue)
Make that person or thing the subject of the sentence.
Describe what he or she does.
Finish the sentence by saying who or what they do it
to.
Passive to Active.
• The disco was
organised by the
parents.
The parents organised
the disco.
The goldfish was eaten
by the cat.
The cat ate the goldfish.
Active sentences are usually shorter and easier to
understand.
To change sentences from active to passive
Goldilocks ate the
porridge.
The porridge was eaten by
Goldilocks.
Find the verb.
Find the person or thing having the action
done to it
Make that person or thing the subject of your
sentence.
Change the verb so that the subject is having
the action done to it.
Use by or by the to finish the sentence.