Grammar Concepts Week 1 Active and Passive Voice Ms. Howard 9
th Literature/Composition Standard: ELACC9-10L1 January 6,
2015
Slide 2
W HAT IS A CTIVE V OICE ? In sentences written in active voice,
the subject performs the action expressed in the verb; the subject
acts. In each example below, the subject of the sentence performs
the action expressed in the verb.
Slide 3
W HAT IS P ASSIVE V OICE ? In sentences written in passive
voice, the subject receives the action expressed in the verb; the
subject is acted upon. The agent performing the action may appear
in a "by the..." phrase or may be omitted. (agent performing action
has been omitted.)
Slide 4
UGH. Grammar. WHO CARES?! ANSWER: Knowing the difference
between active and passive voice is one of the few grammatical
concepts that actually contributes to stronger writing.
Particularly in AVOIDING the passive voice, your writing gains
ownership and clarity. The active voice provides a doer for each
action, which helps you communicate precisely who is doing what.
Still not convinced? ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE
Slide 5
Passive = Unnecessarily Wordy Your reader trying to make sense
of a backwards sentence. A recent study suggests that less educated
people--those who dropped out of school when they were 16--have a
harder time understanding sentences written in the passive voice
than those written in active voice (Fogarty). Active: Beyonc belted
the song. Passive: The song was belted by Beyonc.
Slide 6
C LASS P RACTICE Label the following sentences ACTIVE or
PASSIVE. Louise made the chocolate cake. The chocolate cake was
made by Louise. (Subject)(Action) ACTIVE (Subject)(Action)
PASSIVE
Slide 7
C LASS P RACTICE Label the following sentences ACTIVE or
PASSIVE. He broke the pencil on the floor. The pencil on the floor
was broken by him. (Subject) (Action) ACTIVE (Subject) (Action)
PASSIVE
Slide 8
Passive Voice Patterns Easy ways to identify the passive voice
in your writing: The verb "to be" and the past participle (usually
the "en/ed/t" form) of another verb. Example: was visited More
forms of to be: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been The
sentence contains a by + subject phrase.
Slide 9
When Is Passive Voice Appropriate? When intentionally trying to
hide the subject of the sentence. For example, a politician might
say, The mistake was made by someone. Hiding the subject helps
him/her hide the blame. When intentionally trying to minimize the
guilt of the subject. For example, a cheating boyfriend might say,
Cheating was committed by me. o When passive voice better
emphasizes the main point of a message. For example, a newspaper
may report, Children were harmed by the drunk driver.
Slide 10
C LASS P RACTICE Label the following sentences ACTIVE or
PASSIVE. 1. The package was advertised by the travel agent. The
travel agent advertised the package. (Subject)(Action) ACTIVE
(Subject)(Action) PASSIVE
Slide 11
ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE VOICE Expectations in Ms. Howards Classroom
Write with this ratio in mind: 90%: Active Voice 10%: Passive
Voice