Active and Passive Voice

Be Active!

Active Voice

Find the subject. Is it “doing” the action? Then the VERB is active.

Our teacher voiced her opinion. Subject: teacherVerb: voiced

Active Voice

Find the subject. Is it “doing” the action? Then the VERB is active.

Our teacher voiced her opinion. Subject: teacher, Verb: voicedWho voiced? The teacher…so voiced is in the

active voice…

Active Voice

How would you change the verb to passive?Find the subject. Is it “doing” the action? Then the VERB is active.

Our teacher voiced her opinion. Subject: teacher, Verb: voiced

Passive VoiceFind the subject. Is it “doing” the action? If not, then the VERB is

passive.

An opinion was voiced by the teacher. Subject: opinion, Verb: was voicedThe subject, opinion, receives the action of being

voiced…opinion doesn’t “do” anything, rather, anaction is “done” to it.

Active Voice

Find the subject. Is it “doing” the action? Then the VERB is active.

Your opinion makes a difference. Subject: opinionVerb: makesWhat makes a difference?The opinion…so makes is in the active voice…

Passive Voice

How would you change the sentence so that the verb is passive?

Your opinion makes a difference.

Passive Voice

A difference is made by your opinion. Subject: differenceVerb: is madeThe subject difference doesn’t “do” anything.Therefore, is made is inThe passive voice.

Transitive Verbs

Only transitive verbs can be used in the active voice.

A transitive verb is one that can have an object. (Hint: Think of an object as a noun…)

Transitive VerbsOnly transitive verbs can be used in the active voice. A transitive verb is one that can have an object.

Billie caught the ball…or threw, received, ate,

put, took, wanted, saw, ignored, neglected…

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs cannot have an object. Mary was in the swim meet.

Is was transitive or intransitive?

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs cannot have an object. Mary was in the swim meet.

Is was transitive or intransitive?Right! The verb was cannot have an object…it

can only have a predicate nominative

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs can only have predicate nominatives. Mary was the fastest swimmer.

The verb was cannot have an object…it can only have a

predicate nominative

Transitive or Intransitive?

Mary reached the other side first. Subject: MaryVerb: reached

Transitive or Intransitive?

Mary reached the other side first. Is reached transitive or intransitive?The verb reached can have an object… so it is

transitive.

Transitive or Intransitive?

Mary reached the other side first. The verb reached is transitive. Mary reached…the side or the finish line, end,

goal, dream…

The verb reached can have an object… so it is transitive.

Live Strong…Write Strong! Be Active…

Avoid passive voice in your writing. Active voice is stronger and clearer.

Live Strong…Write Strong! Be Active…

Excessive use of passive voice is weak and awkward.