RETEACH Name: Date: ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE The voice of a verb shows the relationship between the subject of a sentence and the action described in the sentence. In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the subject is acted upon. Verbs in the passive voice contain a form of the verb to be and a past participle of the main verb—for example, was taken, will be assisted, has been fixed. Active Voice: Dr. Natsu will conduct the tests. [The subject, Dr. Natsu, performs the action, will conduct.] Passive Voice: The tests will be conducted by Dr. Natsu. [The subject, tests, is acted upon; they, will be conducted.] For most writing, the active voice is preferred because it helps make sentences clear, direct, and concise. However, passive voice also has uses. For example, it works well (1) in scientific or explanatory writing in which the focus is on the facts, (2) when you want to emphasize the receiver of the action or the event, (3) when the performer of the action is unknown or unimportant, and (4) when you do not want to identify the performer of the action. The delicate lenses are protected by a scratch-resistant coating. (explanatory/scientific) These palm frond fossils were discovered in southeastern Alaska. (emphasizes receiver of action) Concrete is used widely in buildings and bridges. (performer unknown/unimportant) A basket of fresh-cut flowers had been left on the doorstep. (performer not revealed) In each example of active voice below, underline the subject. Circle the action the subject performs (the verb or verb phrase). A. DIRECTIONS: 1. The male bowerbird decorates his nest with flowers, stones, and shiny objects. 2. At tomorrow’s game, Melissa will work at the concession stand. 3. The Maya built cities in the rainforests of the Yucatán Peninsula. 4. Mrs. Koda has granted us an extension on the due date for our final papers. In each example of passive voice below, underline the subject. Circle the action the subject receives (the verb phrase). B. DIRECTIONS: 1. New members of NASA’s astronaut corps are selected every two years. 2. The official winner will be determined by a tie-breaker. 3. Ocean pollution is being caused by oil, sewage, toxic chemicals, and trash. 4. A new species has been discovered in the cloud forests of Ecuador. 1 © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas, et al., accepts no responsibility or liability for alterations implemented by their end users. PRACTICE Name: Date: ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE A. DIRECTIONS: Identify the voice of each sentence by writing active or passive on the line provided. 1. Active Yesterday at the beach, my sister Jamila found a silver ring. 2. Passive A formal statement about the new transit system will be made at Tuesday’s press conference. 3. Passive Bigfoot was allegedly spotted by some campers in the north woods. 4. Active Ella has grown her own tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers for the first time. 5. Passive My father was called for jury duty, to begin on Friday of next week. 6. Active Josh will adopt an adult cat from the local shelter. 7. Active Female elephants live in herds, but male elephants lead fairly solitary lives. 8. Passive The same basic movie plot is presented over and over again by Hollywood. Each sentence below is written in the passive voice. If the passive voice is appropriate, write okay and briefly explain why. If the active voice would be better, rewrite the sentence in the active voice. B. DIRECTIONS: 1. Some breadcrumbs had been sprinkled on the lake for the fish. Okay, as this is an event being described in past tense 2. Finally, an agreement was reached by the three ambassadors. Okay, as this is a description of an event 3. The walls have been painted in a charming faux-fresco style. Okay, as this is describing as object 4. A black gown with silver trim was worn by Erin. Erin wore a black gown with silver trim 5. The traffic ticket was eventually paid by Mr. Collins, but with a lot of grumbling. Mr Collins paid the traffic ticket with lots of grumbling 6. Bricks have been used in construction since ancient times. Okay, as this is giving an explaination of history 2 © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas, et al., accepts no responsibility or liability for alterations implemented by their end users.
