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Active and Passive Voice_ Who Does What_

The document explains the difference between active and passive voice in writing. Active voice has the subject performing the action, while passive voice has the subject receiving the action, with guidelines on when to use each. It also provides examples and tips for converting active sentences to passive voice.

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anton.slkmks
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1 views3 pages

Active and Passive Voice_ Who Does What_

The document explains the difference between active and passive voice in writing. Active voice has the subject performing the action, while passive voice has the subject receiving the action, with guidelines on when to use each. It also provides examples and tips for converting active sentences to passive voice.

Uploaded by

anton.slkmks
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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🟦 Active and Passive Voice: Who Does What?

When we write sentences, we usually focus on who is doing the action and who receives
the action. Understanding the difference between active voice and passive voice will help
you write more clearly and vary your sentences.

🟩 1. Active Voice
In active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action.

●​ Structure: Subject + Verb + Object​

🔹
●​ Example:​

🔹
The dog chased the cat.​
She wrote a letter.​

Active voice is usually clearer and more direct.

🟦 2. Passive Voice
In passive voice, the subject receives the action. The doer of the action may be included
or left out.

●​ Structure: Subject + form of be + past participle (+ by + doer)​

🔹
●​ Example:​

🔹
The cat was chased by the dog.​
A letter was written by her.​

Passive voice is useful when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

🟨 3. When to Use Passive Voice


●​ When you want to emphasize the action or the receiver of the action:​
The cake was eaten.​

●​ When the doer is unknown:​


The window was broken last night.​

●​ In scientific writing or formal reports to sound objective:​


The experiment was conducted carefully.​

🟧 4. How to Change Active to Passive


1.​ Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position.​

2.​ Use the correct form of to be with the past participle of the verb.​

3.​ Add the doer with by if needed.​

🟥 5. Examples
Active Voice Passive Voice

The teacher explains the lesson. The lesson is explained by the teacher.

They built a new school. A new school was built by them.

The chef is cooking dinner. Dinner is being cooked by the chef.

She will finish the homework. The homework will be finished by her.
🔄 Quick Tips
●​ Passive voice uses be + past participle (e.g., is eaten, was made).​

●​ The tense changes according to the original sentence tense.​

●​ Passive voice is often longer than active voice.​

📝 Practice Exercise
Rewrite these active sentences in passive voice:

1.​ The cat chased the mouse.​

2.​ The gardener waters the plants every day.​

3.​ They will clean the classroom tomorrow.​

4.​ The artist painted a beautiful picture.​

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