Transcript Active and Passive Voice

Active and Passive Voice
Making your verbs act!
Standards
ELACC8L1: Demonstrate command of the
conventions of standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
b. Form and use verbs in the active and passive
voice.
c. Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative,
interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.
d. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb
voice and mood.*
Active and Passive Voice
• Active and passive voice only apply to action
verbs or verb phrases containing action verbs
Remember: An action verb expresses mental or
physical action
Ex. think, talk, has spoken, bounce, likes,
created, perform, has wished, etc.
Linking verbs are just linking.
Active Voice
• Active voice is when the subject performs
the action in a sentence.
• Active voice is a verb’s strongest usage.
Example:
My uncle built that tree stand.
My mom brought me to school.
Passive Voice
• Passive voice is when the subject simply
receives the action.
• It is considered a weak way to use a verb
Example:
The tree stand was built by my uncle.
I was brought to school by my mom.
Comparing Active and Passive
Active: I watched television.
Passive: The television was watched by me.
Active: Fireworks frighten my dog.
Passive: My dog is frightened by fireworks.
Active: Actors perform plays.
Passive: Plays are performed by actors.
Hint
• Often, passive voice will contain a
prepositional phrase starting with “by”
• This isn’t always true, but it is a good rule of
thumb.
Example
Ex. I am puzzled by square roots.
Ex. The dress was worn by my mother.
Be Careful
• Just because you see “by” doesn’t mean it’s
passive. The subject must still be receiving
the action.
• Sometimes by=beside or created by
Ex. The food was eaten by the fish.
Ex. The food landed by the fish.
Ex. I sat by the lake.
Ex. The ball was caught by the left fielder.
Why is this important?
• When writing, we need to make each
sentence as strong as possible.
• Most of the time, it is BEST to write sentences
in active voice. Active voice is strong, and
passive voice is week.
Ex. A good role model often helps others.
Ex. Others are often helped by a good role
model.
When is Passive Voice Okay
• Passive voice is okay ONLY when we do not
know who performed an action.
Ex. The play was performed on Thursday.
Ex. The employees were all fired.
Ex. The fish were caught!
Ex. The crime was solved.
Correct the Inappropriate Passive
Voice in the Paragraph
Next, the cafeteria needs a riveting theme.
Our cafeteria will resemble a 1950’s diner.
Records and music notes will hang on the
walls, and black and white checks will cover
the floor. Music from the 50’s will be played by
a jukebox in the corner. Students will sit in red
booths. Food will be served by waitresses on
roller skates. The diner will be admired by
everyone.
Standards
ELACC8L1: Demonstrate command of the
conventions of standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
b. Form and use verbs in the active and passive
voice.
c. Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative,
interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.
d. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb
voice and mood.*