Active and Passive Voice

Active and Passive Voice : 

Active and Passive Voice

Examples : 

Examples His uncle and aunt raised him. (active) He was raised by his uncle and aunt. (passive) They love him. (active) He is loved by them. (passive)

Subject-Verb-Object : 

Subject-Verb-Object

The By Phrase : 

The By Phrase My books were stolen by someone. Someone stole my books. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1998 by the doctor. The doctor diagnosed him with diabetes in 1998. Farmers grow corn. Corn is grown by farmers.

Passive Verb Form : 

Passive Verb Form The UAE grows dates. Dates are grown in the UAE. A goat farmer discovered coffee. Coffee was discovered by a goat farmer. The news surprised Donna. Donna was surprised by the news. The bombing angered them. They were angered by the bombing. The teacher helps Tom. Tom is helped by the teacher. The teacher helped Hamsa. Hamsa was helped by the teacher. “The BE Verb” + past participle

Practice One : 

Practice One Water surrounds an island. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet. Bob mailed the package. A thief stole Ann’s purse. People in France speak French. My cat didn`t kill the bird. The teacher forgot the tests. He goes to work when it rains. Joe built the house. A college student bought my car.

Intransitive Verbs : 

Intransitive Verbs They have no object, so they cannot be changed into the passive form. Agree Appear Arrive Become Come Die Exist Fall Go Happen Laugh Live Occur Rain Rise Seem Sit Sleep Sneeze Stand Stay Talk Wait Walk

Reasons to use the passive voice: : 

Reasons to use the passive voice: The agent (doer) of the action is unimportant. The pyramids were built thousands of years ago. Several robberies were committed during the night. The agent is common knowledge. Barack Obama was elected in 2008.

Reasons to use the active voice: : 

Reasons to use the active voice: The active voice is shorter and more direct. Active: The waiter dropped the tray of food.Passive: The tray of food was dropped by the waiter. The active voice is less awkward and clearly states relationship between subject and action. Passive: Your request for funding has been denied by the review committee.Active: The review committee denied your request for funding. The active voice is stronger and easier for your readers to understand.

Practice 2 : 

Practice 2 We were helped by the police. The town was founded in 1756. The children were beaten by the other children. The dishes are washed by the maid. The car is driven by Sam. Many people are employed by that company. Towels will be provided by the hotel. The wheel was invented around 5000 years ago. It was done by us. The hamburger was cooked by the chef.