Transcript PASSIVE VOICE

Passive Voice
What is Voice?
• The voice of a verb tells whether the subject
of the sentence performs or receives the
action.
• In English there are two voices, active and
passive.
Active vs. Passive Voice
• In active voice, the
subject performs the
action expressed by
the verb
• In passive voice, the
subject receives the
action expressed by
the verb
• Example:
• Example:
– The student wrote a
song.
– A song was written by
the student.
Formula for Passive Voice
• “to be” or “to have”
verb + a past tense
verb
• Example:
– The play was seen by
the students.
– To be and to have
verbs:
• am, is, are, was, were,
be, being, been, has,
have, had
Why is Passive Voice so
terrible?
• Literary Analysis– P.V. makes the sentence confusing.
– P.V. makes the sentence weak.
– P.V. makes the sentence wordy.
When should I use P.V.?
• In scientific writing
• In technical writing
• In creative writing for the following reasons:
– Call attention to receiver of the action rather
than the performer
• The professor was hit by three snowballs.
– Point out the receiver of the action when
performer is unknown or unimportant
• A love letter was slipped under the door.
• The signs will be posted.
How do I fix P.V.?
• Determine who or what is performing the
action, and make that the subject
• Determine who or what is receiving the
action and make that the direct object
• Remove the “to” be or have verb
• In literary analysis, change the verb to
present tense.
• Do not change anything in the dependent
clause.
Practice
Determine if the following sentences are active or
passive. If passive change it to active.
• The parade was kept orderly by public
safety officers.
– PASSIVE
– The public safety officers kept the parade
orderly.
Practice
Determine if the following sentences are active or
passive. If passive change it to active.
• She slammed on the brakes as the car sped
down hill.
– ACTIVE
Practice
Determine if the following sentences are active or
passive. If passive change it to active.
• The skater was slammed into the wall by
Maria.
– Passive
– Maria slammed the skater into the wall.