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.