Scribd
Upload
6 views5 pages

Grammar Explanation & Worksheet- Using the Passive Voice; Week 62

The document explains the passive voice in English grammar, emphasizing its use to shift focus from the subject to the object and to create an impersonal distance in reporting ideas or facts. It provides examples of both active and passive voice, detailing how to form the passive voice and its applications in academic writing and journalism. Additionally, it includes exercises for practicing the conversion of active sentences to passive voice.

Uploaded by

Paul Nicklas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views5 pages

Grammar Explanation & Worksheet- Using the Passive Voice; Week 62

The document explains the passive voice in English grammar, emphasizing its use to shift focus from the subject to the object and to create an impersonal distance in reporting ideas or facts. It provides examples of both active and passive voice, detailing how to form the passive voice and its applications in academic writing and journalism. Additionally, it includes exercises for practicing the conversion of active sentences to passive voice.

Uploaded by

Paul Nicklas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Unit 7 (The Cellist of Sarajevo) Grammar: Using the Passive Voice

It is important to study the passive voice, which places the focus on the object of an

action, instead of focusing on the subject (person or thing) doing the action. The passive

voice is common in English and is used for several reasons including the following two:

 To shift the focus from the agent (the subject) of the action to the person or thing

being described

 To report ideas or facts, while giving distance between the writer or speaker and

the idea they are communicating

 To form the passive, use the correct form of the verb to be + past participle.

When the agent (subject) is known and important to the sentence, by + agent can

be used, but it is not necessary. Also, when used with modals verbs (can, should,

may, etc.), the base form (form found in the dictionary) of the verb to be is used

with the past participle.

 Examples:

 Active Voice

 They make cars in Germany.

 The gardener has planted some trees.

 John should cook dinner for his girlfriend.

 Passive Voice

 Cars are made in Germany.

 Some trees have been planted by the gardener.

 Dinner should be cooked by John for his girlfriend


When the passive voice is used to shift the focus from the subject/agent to the object, it

takes away some of the responsibility for what has been communicated. For this reason,

the passive voice is often used in academic writing, scientific description and when

reporting the news (from the perspective of a journalist). For reporting the news, it gives

the journalist the ability to continue to do his/her job even if the source of the news is not

clear and obvious or can't be told to the reader/listener.

Examples: The local man said that ISIS attacked Aleppo last night. (Active Voice)

It was said that ISIS attacked Aleppo last night. (Passive Voice)

When the passive voice is used to report ideas and facts, it creates a distance between the

writer/speaker and the idea being communicated. This is called an impersonal distance,

and it allows the writer/speaker to report something without adding his or her personal

opinions or views. This is why the passive voice is used for reporting the ideas of other

people.

Examples: Kabul is said to be a warzone at this time. (impersonal distance)

It is said that Kabul is a warzone at this time. (more impersonal distance)

When the writer/speaker has no interest in identifying a specific agent, he/she will use

the passive voice without an agent. For example, general or universal truths (ideas that

everyone agrees on) do not identify the agent.

Two passive structures are commonly used Subject + passive form of the verb + to be

and it + passive form of the verb + that. For the first structure, the subject and verb

must agree, a plural subject must have a plural verb. For the second structure, the

impersonal pronoun it and that must be followed by an independent clause. Common

verbs used include think, consider, say, believe, claim, know, suggest and regard.
Unit 7 (The Cellist of Sarajevo) Grammar: Using the Passive Voice
Directions: Read the two provided paragraphs and underline the passive voice. Then
with a partner discuss why the writer chose to use passive voice instead of active voice.
What is to shift focus or to report ideas and facts or both?

The chief writing material of ancient times was papyrus. It was used

in Egypt, Greece and other Mediterranean lands. Parchment, another writing

material was widely used in ancient times, was made from the skins of

animals, such as goats and sheep. After the hair had been removed, the skins

stretched and rubbed smooth to make a writing surface. Paper, the main

writing material today, was invented by the Chinese.

Ink has been used for writing and drawing throughout history. No one

knows when the first ink was developed. The ancient Egyptians and

Chinese made ink from various natural substances such as berries, soot, and

tree bark. Through the centuries, thousands of different formulas have been

developed for ink. Most ink today is made from synthetic chemicals.
Directions: These sentences are in the active voice. Rewrite each sentence in the passive
voice. Then decide which version of the sentences is more effective, giving a reason.

1. Tang ate six shrimp at dinner.

2. She changed the car's flat tire.

3. Beautiful giraffes roam the African savannah.

4. We are going to watch a movie tonight.

5. I ran the obstacle course in record time.

6. The men paved the entire stretch of the highway last weekend.

7. Mom read the novel in one day.

8. The movie critic wrote a scathing review.

9. I will clean the house every Saturday.

10. The staff is required to watch a safety video every year.

11. She faxed her application for a new job.

12. Paul painted the entire house.

13. The ESOL teacher always answers the students' questions.

14. The choir really likes that piece.

15. Who taught you to ski?

16. The forest fire destroyed the whole suburb.

17. The two kings are signing the treaty.

18. The cleaning crew vacuums and dusts the office every night.

19. James generously donated money to the homeless shelter.

20. No one responded to my sales ad.

21. Mrs. Smith hasn't signed those papers yet.

22. Alina has returned the book the library this afternoon.

You might also like