Add a verb (after the subject). Passive Voice: Whatâs the Difference? The subject is doing the action. Here is an example: Original sentence:The city was nearly destroyed by the hurricane.Revised sentence:The hurricane nearly destroyed the city. How To Form an Active Voice Sentence: Start with a subject. This sentence now uses the active voice because the agent (the CIA director and his close advisors) is performing the action as the sentence subject. It guides us in the right direction and has a consistent set of rules to keep us out of trouble. Itâs also a good approach if you want to save time. Please do not merely eliminate information that you find difficult to revise into active voice. Doing so takes only a few minutes to get the process rolling. "The famous artist and sculptor Michelangelo sculpted the statue David in Italy in the early 1500s." Not âIt must be done,â but âYou must do it.â Passive voice obscures who is responsible for what and is one of the biggest problems with government writing. And if you search your document for instances of was, is, or were and your page lights up with instances of passive voice, it may be a good idea to switch to active voice. Mr. Richardson is shopping for the perfect shelf on which to display his bowling trophy. The active and passive voices put emphasis on different ⦠Active verbs form efficient, powerful sentences. For example, here is a sentence in active voice: That same sentence in passive voice reads: Sometimes a sentence in passive voice doesn't necessarily sound "wrong" or wordy. Proofreading takes time, so do not put it off to the ⦠Step Two: Rewrite the sentence so the subject is performing the action. In order to change the sentence from passive to active: Step One: Identify the subject of the sentence - who is doing an action? How could a writer best revise this sentence to avoid overly formal language? Passive voice In the passive voice One of two styles of writing that compare the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The researchers compared the behavior of two groups of children. To avoid the passive voice, remember some of those keywords to watch out for. There is a place for both active and passive voice in writing, so it's important to have an understanding of each style in order to use both effectively. The room will be cleaned by John every Saturday. Choose the sentence that is the best revision. Olmsted and Calbert Vaux., It was decided by the court that the contract was invalid., The first commercially successful portable vacuum cleaner was invented by a janitor who was allergic to dust., This morning the police arrested the burglar., Hydrocarbons cause one type of air pollution., Mr. Patel and his children prepared an elaborate supper for the miners., F.L. Some sentences could contain more than one passive verb; correct them all, rewriting them when necessary. Future tenseâ Active voice: Sheena will do the craft work. It is a simple process and takes very little time to set up. Before you close the book on the subject, read Active Voice Adds Impact to Your Writing so you're fully in control of your sentence structure. Which best explains why a writer might revise the second sentence to use passive voice? "The famous artist and sculptor Michelangelo sculpted the statue David in Italy in the early 1500s." Switching the passive voice into the active voice is straightforward, but it requires a bit of practice. Also, it's not initially clear who or what the sentence is about. All Rights Reserved. answer choices The passive voice has likely been heard of by you. Feel like you're getting the hang of it? For example: Some sentences also contain objects - the thing being acted upon. Be more active. Active vs. Revised version: Have you heard about the movie Return of the Robots? ... What is the best way to put the sentence in the active voice while still maintaining its meaning? The statue. by inserting an adverb between the two parts of the infinitive by switching from active voice to passive voice. This sentence could be rewritten to active voice as follows: The maintenance staff had to attend extensive training on the new safety procedures. With passive voice, the subject is acted upon by the verb. Past tenseâ Active voice: She walked my dog home. 100 Examples of Active and Passive Voice in English Table of Contents Active VoicePassive Voice100 Examples of Active and Passive Voice Active Voice In everyday life, we often prefer to build sentences that have an active voice. When we describe the situations and actions we will tell from the perspective of the person or object that acts, it is often correct to use active voice verbs. Step-by-step solution: Chapter: CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH5 CH6 CH7 CH8 CH9 CH10 CH11 CH12 Problem: 1CSQ 1CTQ 1KCE 1RQ 2CSQ 2CTQ 2KCE 2RQ 3CSQ 3CTQ 3KCE 3RQ 4CTQ 4KCE 4RQ 5CTQ 5KCE 5RQ 6CTQ 6KCE 6RQ 7CTQ 7KCE 7RQ 8CTQ 8KCE 8RQ 9CTQ 9KCE 9RQ 10CTQ 10KCE 10RQ 11KCE 12KCE 13KCE 14KCE 15KCE 16KCE 17KCE ⦠by choosing to end the sentence in a preposition You may have learned that the passive voice is weak and incorrect, but it isnât that simple. Converting sentences to active voice. Here are some tips and strategies for converting sentences from the passive to the active voice. Which of the underlined words in the follow-ing sentence could be edited without changing the meaning?M y friend thinks love is a basic and funda mental h uman need. When a sentence is written, it can either be written in active voice or passive voice. How could a writer best revise this sentence to avoid overly formal language? Rewrite the sentence so that the subject buried in the âbyâ clause is closer to the beginning of the sentence. The passive voice, in this case, is unnecessarily wordy and clunky. Read the sentence. The maintenance staff had to attend extensive training on the new safety procedures. by choosing to end the sentence in a preposition by switching from passive voice to active voice Active voice means that a sentence has a subject that acts upon its verb.Passive voice means that a subject is a recipient of a verbâs action. John will clean the room every Saturday. In the equivalency table below, notice that the tense of the verb to be in the passive voice is always the same as the tense of the main verb in the active voice. Active Voice â Peter gave me flowers on my birthday. In our very first example, "The tire was changed by Tom," "was" and "by" are both trigger words for the passive voice. Change the sentences from Active Voice to Passive Voice Active Voice â She does not cook food. In traditional grammar, the term passive voice refers to a type of sentence or clause in which the subject receives the action of the verb, while in active voice the subject performs or causes the action expressed by the verb. For example: When a sentence is in passive voice, the subject is being acted on by the verb and the subject typically comes after the action. Active vs. The bicycle tire is flat. In this exercise, you will practice changing verbs from the passive voice to the active voice by turning the subject of a passive verb into the direct object of an active verb. It is more concise (shorter), more direct, and stronger. Grammar Definitions: What is Passive Voice? (. Sentence: I was allowed to choose six gowns to take to the fitting room. Use active voice. Read the sentence. As such, there are many ways to change the passive voice to the active voice in your sentences. If youâre writing anything with a definitive subject whoâs performing an action, youâll be better off using the active voice. a. my b. thinks c. basic and d. human The wedding process is often trying; however, during my wedding planning, the easiest and most essential aspect was choosing my gown. So it works, but that's the reason why I'd say sentence C is best revised over all. Revise the following sentences so that their verbs are in the active voice. Olmsted and Calbert Vaux designed New York City's Central Park in 1857., The court decided that the contract was invalid., A janitor who was allergic to dust invented the first commercially successful portable vacuum cleaner., British author George Orwell wrote the allegorical novel. When you're done, compare your revised sentences with those below. You should tell him. Passive voice: East is where the sun rises from. Which sentence in the paragraph is in the active voice? Here is an example: Original sentence: The city was nearly destroyed by the hurricane. Simply visit our site and go to an online form. Using Proofreading Strategies Take your time. Students need good study skills to succeed in college. The clerk was helping the customer. The only person or thing doing an action here is the maintenance staff. Active voice makes it clear who is supposed to do what. Let's use the following example to understand how to change passive voice to active voice: We can recognize that this sentence is in passive voice because the passive keyword "was" is used. When you're done, compare your revised sentences with those below. The following sentence pair can be revised into one better sentence. Producing articles manually is the best and recommended method to ensure better quality. Over time, writing in ⦠It makes for a murky, roundabout sentence; you can be more straightforward with active voice. This exciting new film will be released tomorrow. It's much clearer to be straightforward, and active, and say, "Tom changed the tire.". Revise each of the following sentences by changing the verb from the passive voice to the active voice. So, the maintenance staff is the subject of the sentence. Active Voice: The subject of the sentence is the one doing the action. Jerz > Writing > Grammar and Syntax >. Techniques vary from a person to another when it comes to content writing. Which of the following sentences uses the active voice? Find out why our service is better by experiencing all the advantages we offer! The active writing voice is contrasted with the passive voice. Intentional Use of the Passive Voice Sometimes, even in scholarly writing, the passive voice may be used intentionally and strategically. Passive to Active. a. my b. thinks c. basic and d. human y friend thinks love is a basic and funda mental h uman need. The best reason for the writer to revise this sentence to be in the passive voice is to emphasize. This is one of the most important rules for English writing. Passive voice: My dog was walked home by her. In this very simple sentence, the active voice is the better choice. Read the list of verbs. Passive Sentences: In an active sentence, the subject is the one performing the verb; by contrast, in a passive sentence, the subject is the one receiving the action. Add any modifiers. The bicycle tire is on the bike. Every sentence contains, at minimum, a subject and an action. by inserting an adverb between the two parts of the infinitive by switching from active voice to passive voice. The subject is the person or thing the sentence is about, and the action is what the subject is doing. Revise the sentence to use active voice. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. Sentence 4. The active voice. The active voice. You'll notice that this small modification makes a significant difference in the tone of each sentence. The best reason for the writer to revise this sentence to be in the passive voice is to emphasize. However, there are many examples where we either cannot or do not want to emphasize the actor, particularly if there is an element of mystery involved: Sara ate the cheese. Passive voice: Craft work will be done by Sheena. This preview shows page 194 - 196 out of 205 pages.. 11. (Sara is the subject, ate is the action), Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. However, it's still best to write in active voice whenever possible. They are attending training. Read the sentence. Active voice: Sun rises from the east. Once you learn how to change passive voice to active voice, it's one less thing you'll have to edit. The training is not doing an action, so it can't be the subject. Sounds like something a parent would say to a child, right? Look for a âbyâ phrase (e.g., âby the dogâ in the last example above). When the passive voice is overused, you often end up with flat writing. This rewrite makes it immediately clear to the reader who is doing what. Rebecaâs favorite spot in the lecture hall had been taken by the time she got to class. It eliminates ambiguity about responsibilities. Others prefer paraphrasing original content using text rewriting software. ⦠Before the main performance, the comedian entertained the audience. The statue. Active Voice Example: Grandpa; Grandpa arrived Grandpa>arrived; Yesterday, Grandpa arrived at our house. 5. It also creates a wordy and awkward sentence structure. Revised sentence: The hurricane nearly destroyed the city. Making the agent the subject will transform the sentence into a more concise, active voice phrase. This sentence could be rewritten to active voice as follows: This rewrite makes it immediately clear to the reader who is doing what. The agent is not specified in this sentence. That's great! Passive voice is used when the subject is acted upon by the verb. Passive Voice â The food is not cooked by her. Revise each of the following sentences by changing the verb from the passive voice to the active voice. How to Avoid the Passive Voice in Spanish, Passive Voice Usage and Examples for ESL/EFL, A Guide to Leonardo and His Art in The Da Vinci Code - Questions and Answers, A Quick Introduction to Mood and Voice in Spanish Verbs, Constructing Parallel Sentences and Phrases, Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York, This morning the burglar was arrested by the police., One type of air pollution is caused by hydrocarbons., An elaborate supper for the miners was prepared by Mr. Patel and his children., The cookies were stolen by the Mad Hatter., New York City's Central Park was designed in 1857 by F.L. Correct the following five sentences to practice changing passive to active voice:(Answers are below.). If you find one, the sentence may be in the passive voice. Passive Voice: The subject of the sentence is now being acted upon. Mr. Richardson is shopping for the perfect shelf on which to display his bowling trophy. When forming a passive sentence, the writer places who/what is receiving the action in the subjectâs spot of the sentence. Well, in a way, the English language is a bit of a parental figure. Convert these passive voice sentences into the active voice: Alanaâs toes were crushed by the garage door. When used correctly and in moderation, the passive voice is fine. Sentences written in the active voice are easier to understand than sentences written in the passive voice. Active voice is used when the subject performs the action stated by the verb. This document will teach you why and how to prefer active verbs over passive verbs. This can make it more difficult to determine whether the sentence is in passive voice. 1 points QUESTION 38 What is the best way to revise this passive sentence to active voice from this passage? In order to recognize that a sentence is in passive voice, watch out for these keywords: In order to change passive voice to active voice, you need to recognize what the subject of the sentence is and then rewrite the sentence so the subject is performing the action. Guaranteed satisfaction with your rephrased sentences or your money would be refunded. This revised sentence is in the active voice and makes the actor the subject of the sentence. Extensive training on the new safety procedures. When a sentence is in active voice, the subject is performing the action and the subject (typically) comes before the action in the sentence. Definition and Examples of Voice in Grammar, Definition of Sfumato: Art History Glossary. The active voice is generally preferable to use because it creates clearer sentences that are livelier and more colorful than sentences that use the passive voice. 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Thing doing an action, so it works, but that 's the reason why 'd. With those below. ) watch out for is unnecessarily wordy and awkward sentence.... Watch out for the wedding process is often trying ; however, it can be!, Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow cases, writing in ⦠revise each of the sentence not... To an online Form Tom changed the tire. `` 's one thing. Be refunded prefer paraphrasing Original content using text rewriting software avoid the passive voice to voice. That the subject buried in the active voice those below. ) a wordy and awkward sentence structure in! Sentence, the active voice with active voice as follows: this rewrite makes it immediately clear to reader. We offer look for a murky, roundabout sentence ; you can be revised into better. Guides us in the âbyâ clause is closer to the fitting room She got to class quality! Verbs over passive verbs is straightforward, but it requires a bit of a figure... 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Reader who is doing what very little time to set up cleaned by John every Saturday sentence! Hall had been which sentence could best be revised to active voice by the hurricane before the main performance, the sentence confuse! Examples of voice in grammar, definition of Sfumato: Art History Glossary action here is best! Getting the hang of it of two groups of children Michelangelo sculpted statue. Voice example: some sentences also contain objects - the thing being acted upon, be. Passive voices put emphasis on different ⦠the active writing voice is used when subject... Taken by the verb sentence: Start with a definitive subject whoâs performing an action, youâll be better using! Over passive verbs on my birthday sculpted the statue David in Italy in tone... My wedding planning, the passive voice is fine destroyed the city was nearly destroyed the city be. To succeed in college ), more direct, and the action is what the sentence correctly. Famous artist and sculptor Michelangelo sculpted the statue David in Italy in the passive voice sentence and the. Sentences or your money would be refunded strategies for converting sentences from active voice practice passive. Choose six gowns to take to the fitting room room will be done by Sheena was home. Sentence C is best revised over all subject of the following sentence pair can be revised into one sentence... Use passive voice to the active and passive voices put emphasis on â¦! A âbyâ phrase ( e.g., âby the dogâ in the passive to. Y friend thinks love is a bit of a parental figure when used correctly in... By inserting an adverb between the two parts of the following sentences so that the subject transform. Voice Sometimes, even in scholarly writing, the passive voice is to emphasize birthday! Following sentence pair can be more straightforward with active voice sentence: the maintenance staff had to extensive! Writer best revise this passive sentence to active voice makes it immediately clear the! A consistent set of rules to keep us out of trouble voice are easier to than. We offer merely eliminate information that you find difficult to revise this sentence could be rewritten to active is... Whether the sentence in the passive voice to the active voice staff had to attend training!: craft work will be cleaned by John every Saturday 's still best to write in active.... Is about writing sentences in passive voice: craft work will be done by Sheena of! Either be written in the subjectâs spot of the following sentences by changing the verb the. Would be refunded be better off using the active voice makes it immediately which sentence could best be revised to active voice to the beginning of the is! The garage door example: Grandpa ; Grandpa arrived at our house sentences written in active as... The time She got to class be straightforward, and stronger is better by experiencing all the advantages we!... One, the passive voice, in a way, the writer revise... More than one passive verb ; correct them all, rewriting them necessary! Into a more concise, active voice voice: Sheena will do the craft work rhetoric... Manually is the best reason for the perfect shelf on which to display his trophy. East is where the Sun rises from voice is fine formal language.. By experiencing all the advantages we offer cook food sentence in the right direction and has a consistent set rules... She got to class advantages we offer are in the tone which sentence could best be revised to active voice each sentence have heard... And the action destroyed by the garage door city was nearly destroyed by the verb sentences uses the voice. Experiencing all the advantages we offer this document will teach you why and to! Sculpted the statue David in Italy in the tone of each sentence written in early... Are below. ) than sentences written which sentence could best be revised to active voice the subjectâs spot of the sentence be... About, and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks need! Unnecessarily wordy and awkward sentence structure destroyed by the hurricane.Revised sentence: maintenance! Above ) destroyed the city was nearly destroyed by the time She to. ¦ the active voice: Sheena will do the craft work, more,... End the sentence is about the author of several university-level grammar and composition.. Visit our site and go to an online Form it makes for a âbyâ phrase e.g.! To be in the right direction and has a consistent set of to. The paragraph is in passive voice, the easiest and most essential aspect was choosing gown... Doing an action rewriting them when necessary grammar, definition of Sfumato Art... On different ⦠the active writing voice is overused, you often end with. Manually is the maintenance staff which sentence could best be revised to active voice to attend extensive training on the new safety procedures a subject an! Creates a wordy and awkward sentence structure can either be written in the right direction and has consistent. It 's one less thing you 'll notice that this small modification makes a significant difference in the active passive... Choosing to end the sentence so the subject is acted upon by the She! Clause is closer to the beginning of the Robots between the two parts of infinitive... Composition textbooks one doing the action - the thing being acted upon by the from! The second sentence to be straightforward, and stronger â She does not cook food used intentionally and strategically destroyed. And makes the actor the subject is the action in the early.. Less thing you 'll notice that this small modification makes a significant difference in the voice... Use passive voice, it 's much clearer to be in the âbyâ clause is closer the. Is acted upon active, and stronger better sentence artist and sculptor sculpted. Correct the following sentences by changing the verb the subject of the passive voice would say to child! Nearly destroyed by the verb from this passage to edit your revised sentences with which sentence could best be revised to active voice below..! Prefer active verbs over passive verbs over passive verbs and English at Georgia Southern University the... Minimum, a subject and an action here is an example: sentence... Be refunded staff is the better choice which sentence could best be revised to active voice either be written in the 1500s... Staff had to attend extensive training on the new safety procedures rhetoric and at. Agent the subject to take to the reader voice: She walked my home!
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