ACTIVE VOICE AND

PASSIVE VOICE

Active voice Shows that the doer is the subject or the focus of

the sentence.

Example:

“Katelyn dances the breathtaking zumba.”

Formula: Doer (subject) + action verb + receiver (direct object)

Passive voice Shows that the receiver is the subject or the focus

of the statement.

Example:

“The breathtaking zumba is danced by Katelyn.”

Formula: Receiver (subject) + helping verb + past participle + by + doer

Changing Active voice to Passive voice (Present

tense)

For Present Tense: Singular and Plural

Identify the doer and the receiver of the action. Switch the position of the doer and the receiver. Determine the quantity of the receiver. Then

decide whether “is” or “are” is going to be used. Write the past participle of the verb after the

words “is” or “are. Insert by before the doer. Put a period.

Changes in pronouns:From the Active Voice… To the Passive Voice

I MeShe HerHe HimWe Us

They ThemYou You

1. The actor performs the most controversial role.

a. The most controversial role is performs by the actor.b. The most controversial role is performed by the actor.c. The most controversial role is perform by the actor.

2. The stranger breaks the windows.a. The windows are broken by the

stranger.b. The windows are broke by the

stranger.c. The windows are break by the

stranger.

3. The student tear the unknown files.a. The unknown files are teared by the

student.b. The unknown files is torn by the

student.c. The unknown files are torn by the

student.

4. Mira declares the opening of the event.

a. The opening of the event are declared by Mira.b. The opening of the event is declared by Mira.c. The opening of the event is declare by Mira.

5. The cats chase the stubborn rats.a. The stubborn rats are chasen by the cats.b. The stubborn rats are chase by the cats.

c. The stubborn rats are chased by the cats.

Changing Active to Passive Leo and Lyn want a special

attention.

A special attention is wanted by Leo and Lyn.

Changing Active to Passive The directors guide the actors and

extras.

The actors and extras are guided by the directors.

Changing Active to Passive Grade 9 students wear blue

shirts.

Blue shirts are worn by grade 9 students.

Changing Active to Passive The customer leaves the

valuables.

The valuables are left by the customer.

Changing Active to Passive The manager blames the staffs

and crews.

The staffs and crews are blamed by the manager.

Drill:1. She finds the lost keys and belongings.2. Those children see the detailed

investigation.3. Ingrid prepares the speech.4. I read the mysterious book to answer

my questions.5. Tomy asks the crowd for opinions.

Answers:1. The lost keys and belongings are found by

her.2. The detailed investigation is seen by those

children.3. The speech is prepared by Ingrid.4. The mysterious book is read by me to

answer my questions.5. The crowd is asked by Tomy for opinions.

Changing Active voice to Passive

voice (Past tense)

What makes the active voice to passive voice in the PAST TENSE different from the present one?

The use of “was” and “were” as a replacement

for “is” and “are”

Examples: Ali solved the equations and

problems.

“The equations and problems were solved by Ali.”

Examples:The people hid the evidence.

“The evidence was hidden by the people.”

Examples:The technician fixed our TV.

“Our TV was fixed by the technician.”

Examples:The naughty child pushed and

pulled the door.

“The door was pushed and pulled by the naughty child.”

Examples: Lei memorized the details in

her report.

“The details in her report were memorized by Lei.”

Exercises:1.Sia sang the song “Chandelier.”2.Emily fed the hungry lions.3.The pupil highlighted the important facts.

4.Olga accidentally hit our bodies.5.Diane cut the colored papers to pieces.

Answers:1.The song “Chandelier” was sung by Sia.2.The hungry lions were fed by Emily.3.The important facts were highlighted by

the students.4.Our bodies were accidentally hit by Olga.5.The colored papers were cut to pieces by

Diane.