2. 2
Active Voice Use
There are two different voices: Active and
Passive.
The active voice is more common and used.
It indicates that the subject of the verb is
acting.
Because the subject does or "acts upon"
the verb in such sentences, the sentences
are said to be in the active voice.
3. 3
Example:
My dog ate my English homework
In this sentence My dog is the one that
performs the action of eating my English
homework. It is more important.
4. 4
Passive Voice Use
The passive voice is used when we focus on
the action and who or what is performing
the action is not important or not known.
The subject and object flip-flop. The subject
becomes the passive recipient of the action.
Because the subject is being "acted upon"
(or is passive), such sentences are said to be I
in the passive voice.
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Example:
My English homework was eaten.
In this sentence My English homework
which was eaten is more important. What
eat it is not important.
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The main Passive Voice verb
formula is:
To Be + Past perfect verb
(3rd
column)
The verb to be change according to
the different tenses
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Look at the following example:
Subject (Agent) Verb Object
Active: Your sister caused the trouble
Passive: The trouble was caused by her
(Your sister)
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Exercise 1: Turn the sentences into
passive
1. Children cannot open these bottles easily.
______________________________________________
2.The government built a road right outside her
front door.
_______________________________________________
21. 21
Exercise 1: Turn the sentences into
passive
1. Children cannot open these bottles easily.
This bottles cannot be opened easily.
2.The government built a road right outside her
front door.
A road was built right outside her front
door.
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Exercise 1: Turn the sentences into
passive
3. Mr. Ross broke the antique vase as he walked
through the store.
_______________________________________________
4.When she arrived, the changes amazed her.
_______________________________________________
5.The construction workers are making street
repairs all month long.
_______________________________________________
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Exercise 1: Turn the sentences into
passive
3. Mr. Ross broke the antique vase as he walked
through the store.
The antique vase was broken by Mr. Ross as he
walked through the store.
4.When she arrived, the changes amazed her.
When she arrived, she was amazed
5.The construction workers are making street
repairs all month long.
Streets repairs are being made all month ago.
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Exercise 2: Turn the given verbs into
passive.
1. The cake ____________________.
(EAT – PAST)
2. The mail ____________________ daily.
(COLLECT – PRESENT)
3. The gift ___________________ by me.
(MAIL – PERFECT)
4. A letter ____________________ by Rita.
(WRITE - PRESENT)
5. That door ____________________ by customers.
(USE – CONDITIONAL MUST)
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Exercise 2: Turn the given verbs into
passive.
1. The cake was eaten .
(EAT – PAST)
2. The mail is collected daily.
(COLLECT – PRESENT)
3. The gift has been mailed by me.
(MAIL – PERFECT)
4. A letter is being written by Rita.
(WRITE - PRESENT)
5. That door must be used by customers.
(USE – CONDITIONAL MUST)
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This material was
created by
Teacher Danitza Lazcano Flores
Teacher of English
Master in Education
and
Educational Counselor