ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE

Copy the following rule:

To eliminate the passive voice:

*remove the helping verb (is, am, are, was, were, be, been, being)

*flip/flop the ends of the sentence

• Verbs are said to be either active • Ex. The executive committee approved the new policy.

OR• passive in voice.

• Ex. The new policy was approved by the government.

In the active voice, the subject and verb relationship is straightforward: the subject is a be-er or a do-er and the verb moves the sentence along.

In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is neither a do-er or a be-er, but is acted upon by some other agent or by something unnamed.

TIP: WHEN WRITING, LEARN TO USE ACTIVE VERBS.

Avoid the PASSIVE VOICE which slows the sentence down. (Verbs in the passive voice use is, am, was, were, be, been, or being in front of the past participle.)

Examples: Kim was hit by Kerry. (This sentence is in the passive voice.) Kerry hit Kim. (This sentence is in the active voice.)

Refer to your notes WHAT 2 THINGS DO WE DO TO ELIMINATE THE PASSIVE VOICE?- -

Example: Passive Voice – “The man was given an award by the service club.”

Active Voice – “The service club gave the man an award.”

1. GET OUT A SHEET OF PAPER.

2. PUT YOUR HEADING ON IT.

3. TITLE = ACTIVE VOICE

NUMBER IT 1 – 10. SKIP A LINE BETWEEN EACH NUMBER.

INSTRUCTIONS: The following sentences are written in the passive voice.

Rewrite them in the active voice.Remember: To eliminate the passive voice –*remove the helping verb *flip/flop the ends of the sentence

1. The flowers were picked by the children.2. The magazines and books were given to the hospital by Mrs. Green.3. The bike was stolen by some boys in the neighborhood.4. A victory was expected by the whole school.5. We applauded when a speech was given by Lorrie.6. The closets were cleaned by the maid.7. The sheets were changed by the nurse.8. The lesson had been taught by the teacher.9. A course in science was signed up for by Brian.10.The injured horse was treated by the veterinarian.