Transcript Tenses of Verbs - Cloudfront.net

Sentence Pattern #1
Use strong, active verbs.
Active vs. Passive Voice
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When a verb’s subject performs the
action expressed by the verb, the
verb is in the active voice.
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John hit the ball.
Mary made the cake.
When a verb’s subject receives the
action expressed by the verb, the
verb is in the passive voice.
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The ball was hit by John.
The cake was made by Mary.
Why It Matters in Writing
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Use the passive voice only when you want to
emphasize the receiver of the action or when
the performer of the action is not known.
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If you use the passive voice too often, it can
make your writing vague and lifeless.
Draft: Skylab 2, one of the first space stations,
was launched in 1973.
Revision: The United States launched Skylab
2, one of the first space stations, in 1973.
Let’s Practice …
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In 1986, the first section of the space
station Mir was launched by Russia.
In 1997 alone, many disasters were
suffered by Mir’s crew members.
A science lab was severely damaged by
fire, and Mir was rammed by a 65-ton
unmanned cargo ship.
A hole was punctured in the hull by the
strong impact.
At one point, departure in the escape
capsule had been considered by the
frightened crew.
How Did You Do?
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In 1986, Russia launched the first section
of the space station Mir.
In 1997 alone, Mir’s crew members
suffered many disasters were suffered.
Fire severely damaged a science lab,
and a 65-ton unmanned cargo ship
rammed Mir.
The strong impact punctured a hole in
the hull.
At one point, the frightened crew
considered departure in the escape
capsule.
Omitting “to be” Verbs
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It is best, when possible, to
avoid using forms of the
infinitive “to be” (ie. is, am, are,
was, were, be, being, been) in
your writing.
Your writing will be more
interesting if you use strong,
active verbs.
Examples:
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Using “to be” verbs:
Hazen Kinch is described by the
author as a stingy man.
Using strong, active verbs:
The author describes Hazen
Kinch as a stingy man.
Now you try with these sentences
from “They Grind Exceeding Small”
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All that remains is a closed, shuttered, deserted
house.
Hazen’s thriftiness also shows from the way his
office and house are arranged.
The main character is portrayed by the author as a
cruel and inhumane man.
The author’s writing of poetic justice in this story is
wonderful.
The office is described as being a small, air-tight
room that is kept stifling hot, like the devil’s
dwelling place in Hell.
Another time when Hazen’s miserly qualities show
themselves is when Doan Marshey comes to
Hazen’s office.
A Bit More Practice from
Student Examples:
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Throughout the short story “Through the Tunnel,”
there is a constant struggle between man and
nature.
This shows both Jerry’s internal and external
conflicts are overcome.
The conflict is resolved by diligent time and work to
get to the end of the tunnel.
The darkness is heavily depended upon by Poe to
add effect and is talked about throughout the entire
story.
The darkness is so well described that the reader
can clearly picture it in their mind’s eye.
Fortunato is also affected by the setting.
He is toyed with by Montresor while down in the
tunnels.