Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which voice places the subject as the doer of the action?
Which voice places the subject as the doer of the action?
- Objective voice
- Active voice (correct)
- Passive voice
- Subjective voice
In the sentence 'Significant amounts of tuition are paid to the university every year,' which voice is being used?
In the sentence 'Significant amounts of tuition are paid to the university every year,' which voice is being used?
- Reflective voice
- Direct voice
- Active voice
- Passive voice (correct)
What is the structure for forming an active voice sentence?
What is the structure for forming an active voice sentence?
- Object + verb + subject
- Verb + adverbial phrase
- Subject + verb + direct object (correct)
- Subject + be + past participle
Which type of voice is preferred for clarity and focus on the subject?
Which type of voice is preferred for clarity and focus on the subject?
What does passive voice focus on?
What does passive voice focus on?
Which part of speech follows 'to be' in a passive voice construction?
Which part of speech follows 'to be' in a passive voice construction?
'Shira likes birdwatching' is an example of which type of voice?
'Shira likes birdwatching' is an example of which type of voice?
What does active voice emphasize?
What does active voice emphasize?
What is the primary purpose of using passive voice?
What is the primary purpose of using passive voice?
In 'The ball is being chased by the dog,' what type of voice is being used?
In 'The ball is being chased by the dog,' what type of voice is being used?
Study Notes
Active and Passive Voice: Identifying, Examples, Formation
Active and passive voice are essential grammatical concepts in English, influencing sentence structure, tone, and focus.
Identifying Active and Passive Voice
Active voice places the subject as the doer of the action. For example:
- The dog chases the ball. (Active voice)
Passive voice positions the target of the action first, using a form of "to be" followed by the past participle:
- The ball is being chased by the dog. (Passive voice)
Examples
Active voice:
- Shira likes birdwatching.
- She loves twilight.
Passive voice:
- Salsa dancing has always been loved by our community.
- Significant amounts of tuition are paid to the university every year, and many feel the level of service being paid for by students is not being received.
Formation
Active voice:
- Subject + verb + direct object
- E.g., The dog chases the ball.
Passive voice:
- Subject + be + past participle + adverbial phrase (optional)
- E.g., The ball is being chased by the dog.
Usage and Purpose
Active voice is preferred for clarity and focus on the subject, while passive voice is used to highlight the object of the sentence, to avoid naming the subject, or to vary sentence structure.
-
Active voice:
- Focus on the subject performing the action.
- Clear and direct tone.
- Useful in scientific writing or to stress the doer of the action.
-
Passive voice:
- Focus on the target of the action or the action itself rather than the subject.
- Avoids naming the subject.
- Useful in scientific reports, legal contexts, or to vary sentence structure.
In summary, active and passive voice are tools for structuring sentences and emphasizing different aspects of the action. Understanding these concepts will help you write more effectively and clearly.
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Description
Test your knowledge of active and passive voice in English grammar with this quiz. Learn to identify, form, and understand the usage and purpose of each voice through examples.
