English Grammar: Active and Passive Voice

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the characteristic of a sentence in active voice?

The subject receives the action of the verb

The object is the doer of the action of the verb

The verb is in the form of the verb be + past participle

The subject performs the action of the verb (correct)

Which of the following sentences is an example of active voice?

Many houses and buildings in my city were destroyed in the latest storm

The students were taught by the teacher

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was translated by E.Fitzgerald

Sandy ran for the office a few years ago (correct)

What is the form of the verb in a passive voice sentence?

The verb to be in the past tense

The verb to be in the present tense

The verb be + past participle (correct)

The verb to be in the future tense

What is the role of the subject in a passive voice sentence?

The subject receives the action of the verb Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between active and passive voice?

The subject performs the action in active voice and receives the action in passive voice Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in changing a sentence from active to passive voice?

Identify the subject, verb, and object of the sentence Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the original object in the passive voice sentence?

It is preceded by 'by' at the end of the sentence Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct form of the verb 'be' in the present perfect tense when the subject is plural?

Have been Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order of the verb and the past participle in the passive voice sentence?

Verb be + past participle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of identifying the tense of the verb in the active sentence?

To determine the correct form of the verb 'be' in the passive voice Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between active and passive voice in a sentence?

The role of the subject in a sentence Signup and view all the answers

What is the verb structure in a passive voice sentence?

The verb to be + the past participle of the verb Signup and view all the answers

When is it recommended to use the passive voice in writing?

In diplomatic and political writings Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of writing in the active voice?

It is more concise and clearer Signup and view all the answers

What is the step to change a sentence from passive voice to active voice?

Switch the subject and object, and change the verb to agree with the new subject Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Active and Passive Voice

A sentence consists of a subject, a verb, and an object, and the subject can be either the doer or the receiver of the action.
Active voice: the subject actively performs the action of the verb, e.g., "Sandy ran for the office."
Passive voice: the subject passively receives the action of the verb, e.g., "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was translated by E.Fitzgerald."

Active Voice Examples

"Sandy ran for the office a few years ago." (Sandy is the subject and doer of the action)
"In 2020, many students all around the world studied online." (students are the subject and doer of the action)

Passive Voice Examples

"The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was translated by E.Fitzgerald." (The Rubaiyat is the subject and receiver of the action)
"Many houses and buildings in my city were destroyed in the latest storm." (Many houses and buildings are the subject and receiver of the action)

Active and Passive Voice Differences

Main difference: the role of the subject in a sentence (doer vs. receiver)
Verb structure: active voice has a simple verb, while passive voice has a form of the verb "to be" + the past participle of the verb

When to Use Active and Passive Voice

Generally advised to write in active voice for clear and effective writing
Passive voice is recommended in certain fields, such as diplomacy and politics, to avoid naming the doer of the action or to focus on the receiver
In scientific journals, it is recommended to write in the first-person point of view (I and we) to avoid passive voice and vagueness

How to Change a Sentence from Passive to Active Voice

Identify the subject, verb, and object of the sentence
Switch the subject and object
Cross out "by" and the verb "be"
Agree the verb with the new subject
Keep the same tense as the original sentence

How to Change a Sentence from Active to Passive Voice

Identify the subject, verb, and object of the sentence
Switch the subject and object
Cross out the old object or precede it with "by" at the end of the sentence
Write the verb "be" in the correct tense, followed by the past participle of the verb

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Understand the difference between active and passive voice in English grammar. Learn how to identify and construct sentences in active and passive voice.