PASSIVE VOICE
HOW IS IT INTERPRETED
Presentation for SBCD
July, 2010
Carol C. Tipton, Ed.D.
OBJECTIVES
• Define PASSIVE VOICE
• Describe the components of a PASSIVE VOICE
structure
• Explain why PASSIVE VOICE is used
• Demonstrate progressively more complex forms
of PASSIVE VOICE usage and how to interpret
each
• Identify and interpret PASSIVE VOICE in context
SBCD 2010
What is PASSIVE VOICE?
• A verb inflection in which the subject is
represented as being acted on
• Asserting that the grammatical subject of a
verb is subjected to or affected by the action
represented by that verb
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Components of a PASSIVE
VOICE Utterance
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•
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Direct Object or Grammatical Subject, a Noun
BE Verb (optional)
Past participle
The word “BY” (optional)
Agent or “Subject” (optional)
.
Eve was tempted by the serpent
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When is PASSIVE VOICE used?
• When the subject is unknown
The Bibles were removed from the choir room.
• When the subject is relatively unimportant
The Christmas tree was put away on Jan. 2 .
• To avoid putting someone on the defensive
The kitchen was not cleaned after the fellowship.
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When is PASSIVE VOICE used?
continued
• To make institutional or policy statements
Officers shall be elected annually.
• To avoid personal responsibility
The mission offering was misplaced.
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How to interpret PASSIVE
VOICE
• Recognize the passive structure
• Ensure that the object receives the action
1. Use the agent to perform the action
2. Put the object in space as a classifier and
show action happening to it.
3. Create a logical agent.
4. Become an unspecified agent
5. Restructure the sentence.
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STANDARD PASSIVE
Noun + BE Verb + Past
Participle + (BY + Agent)
• Isaac was released by his father, Abraham.
• Hannah was ridiculed by her husband’s
other wife.
• Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
• Two mites were given by the poor widow.
SBCD 2010
More standard passive…
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Solomon was visited by the Queen of Sheba.
The disciples’ feet were washed by Jesus.
The animals were named by Adam.
A decree was issued by Caesar Agustus.
The prodigal son was welcomed by his father.
On the road to Emmaus Jesus was not recognized
by the two men.
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STANDARD PASSIVE
WITHOUT THE “BY” PHRASE
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•
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The place was also called Mizpah.
The words of Esau were told to Rebekah.
Ten lepers were cured but only one gave thanks.
I will be hidden from your presence.
I always felt loved growing up.
Daniel was placed in the lion’s den.
Jesus was invited to Zacchaeus’ home.
King Agrippa was almost persuaded to become a
Christian.
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More STANDARD PASSIVE
WITHOUT THE “BY” PHRASE
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Interpreters are required to be on time.
You are expected to interpret accurately.
Should a child ever be spanked?
Ten virgins showed up late and were turned away.
Who in the Bible is described as a dreamer?
Each worker was paid a denarius.
The rich young ruler was told to sell all his
possessions.
• Herod was informed about Messiah’s birth.
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STANDARD PASSIVE
WITHOUT THE “BE” VERB
• Saul, the man chosen to be king, was shy.
• Those forgiven of their sins will spend eternity
with the Lord.
• Seeds sown on rocky ground do not grow strong.
• You don’t need a pastor trained in the latest
theories.
• The man sold into slavery was Joseph.
• Christians hated by the world are comforted by the
Lord.
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More STANDARD PASSIVE
WITHOUT THE “BE” VERB
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The sound heard was like rushing waters.
A servant warned is without excuse.
A kingdom destroyed may not be rebuilt.
Those bidden to the marriage did not come.
He shall be like a tree planted by the water.
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PASSIVE GERUNDS
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The Lord does not want to be ignored.
Children enjoy being read Bible stories.
Being redeemed is a great privilege.
Joseph welcomed being asked to interpret
dreams.
• The church expected to be sued after the
woman fell on the ice.
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More PASSIVE GERUNDS
• She only wanted to be loved.
• Being falsely accused was a dreadful
experience for Joseph.
• Being invited to a Bible study can spark
someone’s interest in spiritual things.
• Jesus wants to be trusted by his followers.
• Paul asked to be released from his thorn in
the flesh.
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PASSIVE PARTICIPIAL
ADJECTIVES
• Without Jesus there is no known cure for the sin
problem.
• The church decided to buy a used van.
• Is alcohol abuse learned behavior?
• We stored the donated items in the church
basement.
• Isaac and Rebekah had an arranged marriage.
• Leah was the unloved wife of Jacob.
• The uninvited guests were turned away.
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Deep Structure Passives
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Pat is interested.
Chris is excited.
Lee is bored.
John is eager to please.
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Pat is interesting.
Chris is exciting.
Lee is boring.
John is easy to
please.
Practice Text 1A: Psalms
The book of Psalms is the greatest collection of
songs ever composed and the greatest collection of
prayers every prayed, and all of them included in
one single book. In no other writings, whether
sacred or secular, is the heart and soul of man
more clearly revealed than in the Psalms. The
sighs, sobs, and songs buried deeply within the
human spirit find their release through these 150
Psalms.
SBCD 2010
Practice Text 2A: Angels
I soon discovered that little had been
written on the subject of angels. Angels are
used to execute judgment on nations. In the
midst of of the world crisis through which
we are destined to live in the years ahead,
the subject of angels will be of great
comfort and inspiration to believers in God.
SBCD 2010
Practice Text 3A: Sacrifice
Although we are not specifically told so, it would
seem probable that some innocent animal was
killed so that Adam and Eve might be clothed.
This paves the way for the doctrine of the innocent
dying for the guilty. “But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities,…
and with his stripes we are healed.” Is. 53:
SBCD 2010
Practice Text 4A: Hebrews
The letter to the Hebrews seems to have been
addressed to Rome, although it is impossible to be
certain about this. The letter is not addressed to a
specific church, but to a group of Christian Jews
who, it is generally supposed, were segregated
from the main church and were hankering after the
glories of Judaism. The unnamed author shows the
superiority of Christ to the old religion.
SBCD 2010
Practice Text 5A: Church Giving
Indicate the total amount of all designated gifts
received by the congregation from individuals for
a specific use. Designated receipts are those gifts
where the giver, not the congregation, decides
how the money will be spent. Indicate the total
amount of undesignated and designated funds
given to missions by the congregation.
SBCD 2010
Practice Text 6A: Church Bylaws
The procedure outlined by Christ in Matthew
18:15-20 shall be encouraged when serious sin is
detected in the life of a member. A dismissed
member may visit the church, as any other
unbeliever, but will in no way be considered a
member of the Body in its fellowship until
repentance is expressed to the Body.
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Practice Oral Text 1
• Stephen, the first chosen deacon was stoned
because of his fearless proclamation of the gospel.
• Who was chosen to take the place of Judas?
• Most of the court believed that Jesus was a
dangerous character, to be put out of the way by
any means, legal or illegal.
• The Sadducees were noted for their antagonism
toward the Pharisees.
• Children should be seen and not heard.
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Oral Text 2
Psalm 69 is often quoted in the New
Testament. The psalmist’s picture in verses
2, 14-15 could be taken for an actual
description of Jeremiah’s case. The guilt of
his tormentors is clear: may they be
punished for all they have done.
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Oral Text 3
Hofman’s clear, simple, beautiful
representations of the life of Jesus are so
appealing that they are more widely used in
Sunday Schools today than those of any
other artist.
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Oral Text 4
The Bible story of the various authorities,
both Jewish and Roman, before whom Jesus
was brought by his accusers may be read
beginning in John chapter 18.
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Oral Text 5
Two mites, literally two lepta, make about
half a cent. The lepton was the smallest
copper coin used, and two was the smallest
gift allowed to be given to the temple.
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More Practice Exercises
• The man who needed help was helped.
• The miracles of Jesus were performed so
people would believe….
• …not to be seen of people.
• Give and it shall be given to you.
• Even though they’d been preached to, they
did not believe.
• ..make all my wants and wishes known.
SBCD 2010