active and passive voice pp

8/13/2019 Active and Passive Voice Pp

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Active and Passive Voice

UWF Writing Lab

Grammar Mini-Lessons Series #2


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Defining Voice

Voice is a

characteristic of verbs

which indicates therelation of the verbs

action to its subject.

The voice of a verb

may be either activeor passive.


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Active Voice

Active voice verbs areused when the subject

is acting in a sentence.

Example:

Cindy steered the boat.

Steered is an active

verb because it allows

the subject toundertake an action.


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Passive Voice Passive voice verbsare used when thesubject is being acted

uponin a sentence.

Example:

The mountains peak

was reached by Ed

Danvers.

Was reached areconsidered passive

because they indicate

that the subject (peak)

is receiving an action.


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So What?

Although both constructions are grammatically correct, theactive voice is usually more effective in academic and

business writing because it is simpler and more direct. Thepassive construction is effective only when the doer of theaction is unknown or irrelevant.

Examples

The cruiseliner was hijacked.

The ball was hit.

The town was quarantined.


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Review

Active voice verbs: Verbsthat indicate the sentences

subject as activelyacting:

Marvin hit the ball.

Passive voice verbs: Verbs

that indicated the

sentences subject as beingacted upon:

The ball was hit by Marvin


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Any Questions???


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QuizDecide which of the following sentences use the passive

voice and which sentences use the active voice. Correctthe sentences that contain either inappropriate uses of

passive voice or an abrupt shift from active to passive

voice.

Example:

-Before I began my research, only German

fascism was studied by me.

Passive construction

-Before I began my research, I only studied

German fascism.


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Professor Warren assigned each group a

research project; however, the documentarysources were not located.

Incorrect Active-Passive Shift

Professor Warren assigned each group a

research project; however, he could notlocate the documentary sources.


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For the opening flag ceremony, a dance waschoreographed by Kema Jones to Bill

Withers song Lean on Me.

Passive Construction

For the opening flag ceremony, Kema Joneschoreographed a dance to Bill Withers

song Lean on Me.


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When the tickets are ready, the travel agentnotifies the client. Each ticket is then listed

on a daily register form, and a copy of theitinerary is filed.


When the tickets are ready, the travel agent

notifies the client. The agent then lists theticket on a daily register form and files acopy of the itinerary.


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Seismologists have examined data

concerning the recent earthquake, and

reports will be filed.


Seismologists have examined data

concerning the recent earthquake, and theywill file reports.


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Problems of famine, pollution, dwindling

resources, and arms control were discussedby the senator.

- Passive construction

The senator discussed problems of famine,

pollution, dwindling resources, and arms

control.


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Whenever an error was found by Mrs.

Clark, the entire paper had to be rewritten

by the student.

Passive Construction

Whenever an error was found by Mrs.

Clark, the student had to rewrite the entire

paper.

active and passive voice pp

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