Grammar:
Voice, Academic Tenses and Homophones
This workshop will:
− Refresh your understanding of grammar terminology
− Cover passive and active voices; problematic verb forms; and
homophones to assist speakers of English
− Provide on opportunity to practice and follow-on activities for you to be
able to continue to improve your grammar.
Louise Livesey
Academic Skills Adviser
Today’s Plan
1. Use of passive and active voice
2. Using appropriate verb tenses for
academic work
3. Choosing the right homophone
1.Use of passive and active voice
Active and Passive Voices
 active voice is used when the subject is placed before the verb
 passive voice is used when the subject is moved so the object
is placed first
1.Use of passive and active voice
Quick summary of subject-verb-object
sentence construction:
A sentence must have a subject and a verb connected to it; it may also
have an object.
A SUBJECT ‘does’ the ‘doing’ or action of a verb,
e.g. The DOG bit the cat – DOG is the subject as it is doing the biting.
A VERB is the ‘doing’ part of a sentence,
e.g. The dog BIT the cat – BIT is the verb as it is the action
An OBJECT is the one that is having the ‘doing’ or action ‘done’ to it,
e.g. The dog bit the CAT – CAT is the object as it is the thing that is being
bitten.
All ACTIVE: object before verb and subject
1.Use of passive and active voice
Change to passive voice:
The cat was bitten by the dog.
The dog is still the subject and the cat is still the object but now they are in
a different order.
Useful in academic writing as more formal and easier to write in third
person.
Both active and passive used at university: choose and be consistent
2.Using appropriate word tenses
for academic work
Most common English verb forms for
academic work
SIMPLE
CONTINUOUS
PERFECT
PAST
(one subject)
It walked
It had walked
PAST
(plural subjects)
They walked
They had walked
PRESENT
(one subject)
It walks
It is walking
It has walked
PRESENT
(plural subjects)
They walk
They are walking
They have walked
2.Using appropriate word tenses
for academic work
‘To be’: ‘was’ and ‘were’
•
•
•
•
•
I was happy to win tickets to the concert.
You were happy to win tickets to the concert.
He was happy to win tickets to the concert.
We were happy to win tickets to the concert.
The twins were happy to win tickets to the
concert.
2.Using appropriate word tenses
for academic work
‘To have’: ‘have’ and ‘had’
•
•
•
•
•
I have the concert tickets.
You have the concert tickets.
She has the concert tickets.
We have the concert tickets.
The twins have the concert tickets.
3.Choosing the right homophone
What is a homophone?
A word that sounds the same as another word but is spelt differently
and may have a different meaning.
Homophoness causing most problems:
its/it’s
there/they’re/their
your/you’re
Clear slide for me
Presentation: Proofreading
Question: who can you go to in the
university for proof-reading, assignment
checking or assisted editing?
Nobody
References
Clip art: microphone/questions
Australian Catholic University. (2010) Reporting verbs. North Sydney: Australian Catholic
University [online] Available at:
http://students.acu.edu.au/office_of_student_success/academic_skills_unit_asu/academic
_referencing/reporting_verbs [Accessed 16.7.2014 ]
Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook, 3rd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Eastern Institute of Technology. (2014) Reporting verbs. Napier: Eastern Institute of
Technology. [online] Available at:
http://www2.eit.ac.nz/library/ls_guides_reportingverbs.html [Accessed 16.7.2014 ]
Gould, S. (2011) 3.06 Active/passive verbs. Birmingham: Birmingham City University
[online] Available at:
http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/Grammar%20Guides/3.06%20Active-Passive.htm
[Accessed 4.7.2014]
References
Kelly +. (2010) Weird but Effective Beauty Tips. Froodee. [online] Available at:
http://www.froodee.com/lifestyle/weird-but-effective-beauty-tips/ [Accessed 18.6.2014]
Massey University (2012) 1st vs. 3rd person. Palmerston North: Massey University.
[online] Available at: http://owll.massey.ac.nz/academic-writing/1st-vs-3rd-person.php
[Accessed 18.6.2014]
Pet care tips; advice and information (2012) Cat bitten by dog. [online] Available at:
http://www.petcaregt.com/blog/cat-bitten-by-dog.html [Accessed 18.6.2014]
Ricci, V. (2012) What are the five reasons for using passive voice? Tokyo [online]
Available at:http://techwritingtodai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/passive-voice.html [Accessed
7.7.2014]
Rouse, A. (2012) Battle for her Heart. London: Rex Features. [online] Available at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2195158/Stop-giving-runaround-Incrediblepictures-capture-moment-male-hare-gives-chase-chosen-mate.html [Accessed 18.6.2014]
References
Seely, J. (2004) Improve your English in Seven Days. Oxford: OUP
Sharpling, G. (2014) Reporting Verbs. Coventry: University of Warwick. [online] Available
at: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/learning_english/leap/grammar/reportingverbs/
[Accessed 16.7.2014]
Shaw, D. (2014) Change the sentences below to the passive (or) active voice. [online]
Available at: http://www.uark.edu/campusresources/qwrtcntr/resources/handouts/activepassive.htm [Accessed 19.6.2014]
Velliaris, D. and Miller, J. (2009) Reporting verbs. York: University of York. [online]
Available at:
http://www.york.ac.uk/rop/documents/reportingverbs.pdf [Accessed 16.7.2014 ]
Academic Skills Advice Service
• Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23
• What do we do? Support undergraduate students with
their academic skills by running clinics and workshops,
having bookable appointment slots, and enabling
students to drop-in for Instant Action.
• Who are we? Michael and Helen specialise in Maths
Support; Lucy and Russell advise students on academic
study skills; and I (Louise) deliver the workshops
• When can you come for help? Everyday both face to face
and on-line
• How do I get in touch? Email: academicskills@brad.ac.uk or website www.brad.ac.uk/academicskills
Any questions?
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