Active Voice

Active Voice

• The subject of the sentence performs an action.A sentence using active voice follows this:

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Mary mails the letter.

DOER ACTION RECEIVER of the ACTION

Passive Voice

• The object of the sentence appears to be the subject.

A sentence using passive voice follows this:

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The letter was mailed by Mary.

DOERACTIONRECEIVER of the

ACTION

Active vs. Passive Voice

Mary mails the letter. The letter was mailed by Mary.

Joe eats the pancakes. The pancakes are eaten by Joe.

The dog barks at the cars. The cars are barked at by the dog.

Sara completed the homework. The homework was completed by Sara.

The thief stole the jewelry. The jewelry was stolen by the thief.

Find the Active Voice

Which of the following sentences is written in active voice? a. During the baseball game, Mr. Smith’s window was broken by a foul ball.b. Mr. Smith’s window was broken by a foul ball in the baseball game.c. During the baseball game, a foul ball broke Mr. Smith’s window.d. The window of Mr. Smith’s car was broken by a foul ball during the baseball game.