Transcript what is active voice?

GRAMMAR:
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
VAGUE PRONOUNS
Components to cover:
• ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
• SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
• VAGUE PRONOUNS
VERBS AND VOICE
Voice is the form a verb takes, to indicate
whether the subject of the verb performs or
receives the action.
There are two types of voice: active voice and
passive voice.
WHAT IS ACTIVE
VOICE?
Example
Active voice is used to
1. Lebron threw the basketball
show that the subject of
before the buzzer.
the sentence is performing
2. Lebron shot the basketball from
or causing the action.
the free throw line.
3. Lebron scored three points.
WHAT IS ACTIVE
VOICE?
Active Voice – indicates that
the subject of the verb is acting
Because the subject does or
"acts upon" the verb in such
sentences, the sentences are
said to be in the active voice.
The example shows that the
subject is doing the verb’s
action.
Example
The dog jumped onto the boy.
The dog (subject) is doing the
jumping (verb).
Kristy will give a book report to the
class.
Kristy (subject) is doing the giving
(verb).
The computer ate my paper.
The computer (subject) is doing the
eating (verb).
REASONS TO USE
ACTIVE VOICE?
Example
Most writers prefer to use
active voice because it is
more direct.
Active: The waiter dropped
the tray of food.
Passive: The tray of food was
dropped by the waiter.
REASONS TO USE
ACTIVE VOICE?
Active voice is less awkward
and clearly states
relationship between
subject and action.
The active voice sentence
pattern propels the reader
forward through your
writing thus avoiding weak
prose.
Example
Passive: Your request for
funding has been denied
by the review committee.
Active: The review
committee denied your
request for funding.
WHAT IS PASSIVE
VOICE?
Example
Passive voice is used when the
subject is the recipient of the
action.
1. The ball was thrown by Lebron.
2. The basket was shot by Lebron.
3. The score was made by Lebron.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Active voice is more direct and concise.
Passive voice is usually wordier.
Active voice is like watching Lebron play.
Passive voice is like watching gum stuck on the bleachers in
the stands.
MOST OF THE TIME, YOU WANT TO USE ACTIVE VOICE!!!!
WHEN WOULD
YOU WANT TO
USE PASSIVE
VOICE?
adjectives
1. When intentionally trying
to hide the subject of the
sentence.
2. When intentionally trying
to minimize the guilt of the
subject
3. When passive voice better
emphasizes the main point of
the message
Example
1. A politician might say, “The mistake
was made by someone.” Hiding the
subject helps him/her hide the blame.
2. A cheating boyfriend might say,
“Cheating was committed by me.”
3. “Children were harmed by the drunk
driver.”
FORM OF
PASSIVE VOICE
Example
The passive voice
requires a "double verb"
and will always consist of
a form of the verb "to
be" and the past
participle (usually the
"en/ed/t" form) of
another verb.
Active: John baked the
bread.
Passive: The bread was
baked by John. (Was is a
form of the verb “be”.).
FORM OF
PASSIVE VOICE
Example
Writers should be
familiar with the
forms of "to be" ,
often called linking
verbs, so that they can
easily identify the
passive voice in their
work.
Review the forms of "to
be":
am, is, are, was, were,
be, being, been
FORM OF
PASSIVE VOICE
Note the forms of "to be"
in the examples of the
verb "to kick" in various
forms of the passive
voice
Example
is kicked----------------had been
kicked
was kicked-------------is going to
be kicked
is being kicked---------will be
kicked
has been kicked-------can be
kicked
was being kicked------should be
kicked
FORM OF
PASSIVE VOICE
The passive form of
writing is indirect where
as the active form of
writing is direct.
Example
Passive: The cookies were
eaten by the children.
Active: The children ate the
cookies.
Passive: The tunnels are dug by
the gophers.
Active: The gophers dug the
tunnels.
ACTIVITY 1
Change the sentences below to the active voice:
1. We are taught grammar by Ms Sullivan.
2. He was praised by the teacher.
3. The injured were taken to the hospital by the
firemen.
4. The town was destroyed by an earthquake.
5. The teacher was pleased with the boy’s work.
ACTIVITY 1
Change the sentences below to the active voice:
6. The building was damaged by the fire.
7. By whom were you taught French?
8. You will be given a ticket by the manager.
9. The streets were thronged with spectators.
10. We will be blamed by everyone.
ACTIVITY 1
Change the sentences below to the active voice:
11. The trees were blown down by the wind.
12. The thieves were caught by the police.
13. The letter was posted by Alice.
14. We were received by the hostess.
15. The snake was killed with a stick.
ACTIVITY 1
Change the sentences below to the active voice:
16. The minister was welcomed by the people.
17. He was found guilty of murder.
18. This house was built by John Mathews in 1991.
ANSWERS TO ACTIVITY 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Ms Sullivan teaches us grammar.
The teacher praised him.
The firemen took the injured to the hospital.
An earthquake destroyed the town.
The boy’s work pleased the teacher.
The fire damaged the building.
Who taught you French?
The manager will give you a ticket.
Spectators thronged the streets.
Everyone will blame us.
ANSWERS TO ACTIVITY 1
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
The wind blew down the trees.
The police caught the thieves.
Alice posted the letter.
The hostess received us.
They/somebody killed the snake with a stick.
The people welcomed the minister.
They found him guilty of murder.
John Mathews built this house in 1991.
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
Subject verb agreement simply means
the subject and verb must agree in number.
This means both need to be singular or both need
to be plural.
BASIC RULES OF SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
Singular subjects need singular verbs.
Plural subjects need plural verbs.
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
Example
Pronouns such as
everyone and everybody
seem plural, but they are
always singular — so
they need a singular
verb.
Everyone who worked on
science project is a winn
Someone has to answer the
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
Phrases that come
between the subject
pronoun and its verb —
may contain plural words
and confuse..
Example
Each of the basketball play
excited about tonight’s ga
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
Verbs that accompany
pronouns such as all and
some will be determined
by whether the pronoun
is referring to something
that is COUNTABLE or
not.
Example
Some of the workers on the b
have left for the day.
.
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
Verbs that accompany
pronouns such as all and
some will be determined
by whether the pronoun
is referring to something
that is COUNTABLE or not
Example
Some of the salt was spilled
floor.
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
None is usually regarded
as singular, but it can be
used as a plural pronoun.
Example
None of the boys has helped
game.
OR
None of the boys have helped
game.
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
Example
Phrases such as together
with, along with, and as
well as seem to combine
subjects, but they do not.
Some of the tile in our room, as w
hall, was soaked.
The major problem we had, toget
that of our teacher, was tardiness
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
Example
When either and neither
appear as a subject alone
(without the words or
and nor), they are
singular.
Either of those answers seems to
You can have the bed by the wind
the one by the door. Either is oka
me.
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
Example
Verbs in the present
tense for third-person,
singular subjects (he,
she, it and anything
those words can stand
for) have s-endings.
Other verbs do not add sendings.
1. He asks for help.
2. She asks for help.
3. They ask for help.
SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
Example
Verbs in the present
tense for third-person,
singular subjects (he,
she, it and anything
those words can stand
for) have s-endings.
Other verbs do not add sendings.
1. He asks for help.
2. She asks for help.
3. They ask for help.
ACTIVITY 1
Choose the right options in the sentences given
below:
1. Each of the men (were/was) given ten minutes to speak to
the president of the company.
2. Beyond the river (is/are) a dress store and a shoe store.
3. Here (is/are) your notebook and dictionary.
4. Neither of the corporations (has/have) received the
necessary state charter yet.
5. My entire supply of checks (was/were) missing.
ACTIVITY 1
Choose the right options in the sentences given
below:
6. Physics (is/are) taken by many students to complete their
science requirement.
7. a natural monopoly (is/are) public utilities.
8. Neither of the unions (has/have) studied the working
conditions yet.
9. sitting in the chair by the file cabinets (is/are) the secretary.
10. the data (was/were) published by the company.
ACTIVITY 1
Choose the right options in the sentences given
below:
11. The cost of goods (vary/varies) greatly in the different
states.
12. Where (is/are) one of the letters from Brown and
Company?
13. Neither of the salesmen (wants/want) to help me.
14. One of the trade marks (has/have) not been registered yet.
15. Five percent of the profits (is/are) to be distributed to the
stockholders.
ACTIVITY 1
Choose the right options in the sentences given
below:
16. Food tests taken on Friday (confirm/confirms) my original
diagnosis.
17. Neither the employers nor the union (desire/desires) a
strike vote.
18. Neither the size nor the color of the envelopes (are/is)
correct.
19. Each of the loans (has/have) been recalled by the bank.
20. The news of the economic decline (has/have) been
upsetting.
ANSWERS TO ACTIVITY 1
1. Each of the men (was) given ten minutes to speak to the president of the
company.
2. Beyond the river (are) a dress store and a shoe store.
3. Here (are) your notebook and dictionary.
4. Neither of the corporations (has) received the necessary state charter yet.
5. My entire supply of checks (was) missing.
6. Physics (is) taken by many students to complete their science requirement.
7. A natural monopoly (is) public utilities.
8. Neither of the unions (has) studied the working conditions yet.
9. Sitting in the chair by the file cabinets (is) the secretary.
10. The data (were) published by the company.
ANSWERS TO ACTIVITY 1
11. The cost of goods (varies) greatly in the different states.
12. Where (is) one of the letters from Brown and Company?
13. None of the salesmen (want) to help me.
14. One of the trade marks (has) not been registered yet.
15. Five percent of the profits (is) to be distributed to the stockholders.
16. Food tests taken on Friday (confirm) my original diagnosis.
17. Neither the employers nor the union (desires) a strike vote.
18. Neither the size nor the color of the envelopes (is) correct.
19. Each of the loans (has) been recalled by the bank.
20. The news of the economic decline (has) been upsetting.
WHAT ARE VAGUE PRONOUNS?
Ambiguous pronouns lack a clear
antecedent, while vague pronouns lack an
antecedent altogether.
.
VAGUE
PRONOUNS
Avoid vague reference.
This occurs when a
pronoun refers to a
general idea or thing
instead of a specific
noun.
Example
Vague: They say more rain is on th
(Who is/are they?)
Clear: The weather bureau says m
is on the way.
WAYS TO
CORRECT
VAGUE
PRONOUNS
You can combine the
two parts into a single
statement.
Example
The fact that Harry was always lat
his teacher crazy.
Harry’s habitual lateness drove hi
crazy.
WAYS TO
CORRECT
VAGUE
PRONOUNS
Vague pronouns could
be replaced with a noun.
Example
Harry was always late for class,
habitual lateness drove his teach
WAYS TO
CORRECT
VAGUE
PRONOUNS
1. You could add a noun
to this.
2. You could add a noun
before which.
Example
1. Harry was always late for class
habit of his drove his teacher
2. Harry was always late for class
which drove his teacher cra
ACTIVITY 1:
Here are some sentences for you to correct. Try to
correct each one in more than one way.
1. Harry promised to stop smoking, which I didn’t believe for a minute.
2. Prof. Jones doesn’t seem to care if students cheat, and this really bothers
me.
3. My roommate decided to major in Physics, and it came as a big surprise to
all her friends.
4. Many people go to the gym at least three times a week; they find that this
gives them more energy.
5. My roommate has three long papers to write this weekend, which she
can’t possibly do.
6. When the senators realized the bill would be defected, they tried to
postpone the vote but failed. It
was a disaster.
ANSWER TO ACTIVITY 1:
1. Harry promised to stop smoking, but I didn’t believe him for a minute.
2. Prof. Jones doesn’t seem to care if students cheat, and this indifference
really bothers me.
3. My roommate decided to major in Physics, and her decision came as a big
surprise to all her
friends.
4. Many people go to the gym at least three times a week; they find that
frequent exercise gives them
more energy.
5. My roommate has three long papers to write this weekend, but she can’t
possibly finish all three
papers.
6. When the senators realized the bill would be defected, they tried to
postpone the vote but failed.
The entire effort was a disaster.
The end