Active vs. Passive Voice

Active or Passive?

Is he being active or

passive?

Active or Passive?

Active or passive?

Active vs. Passive Verbs

Sentences with active verbs are more exciting than those with passive verbs.

A verb is active if the subject of the sentence is doing the action.

Ex. The alligator attacks the panther. (The alligator is doing the action.)

A verb is passive if the subject of the sentence is receiving the action.

Ex. The panther is attacked by the alligator. (The panther receives the action)

**You know a sentence is written in the passive voice if the person/thing DOING the action comes at the END of the sentence.

Who attacked the panther?

Try it!

1. The panther cub is saved by Billie Wind.Billie Wind saves the panther cub.2. The men in the swamp are avoided by her.She avoids the men in the swamp.3. Her friendship with Petang the otter is enjoyed by Billie.Billie enjoys her friendship with Petang the otter.4. Billie is helped many times by her animal friends.Many times the animal friends help Billy.

1. Hit songs were recorded by Louis Armstrong for five decades.

Louis Armstrong recorded hit songs for five decades.

2. Many music awards were also won by him.

He also won many music awards.

3. The nickname “Satchmo” was given to Louis Armstrong by a group of musicians.

A group of musicians gave the nickname “Satchmo” to Louis Armstrong.

4. Dozens of famous jazz songs were composed by Mr. Armstrong.

Mr. Armstrong composed dozens of famous jazz songs.

5. His home, a national historic landmark in Queens, New York, can be visited by people.

People can visit his home, a national historic landmark in Queens.

1. William Shakespeare has been called the greatest writer of the English language. P

2. People feel his influence in many ways. A3. Many words and phrases were invented by Shakespeare. P4. He created the words “moonbeam”, “elbow”, and “buzzer.” A5. Most people know Shakespeare for his plays. A6. He wrote 37 plays in his lifetime. A7. Additional plays might have been written by Shakespeare and another

writer. P8. Shakespeare also created beautiful poems, including many sonnets. A9. Shakespeare’s plays have been enjoyed by millions of people. P10. His plays have been explained in different ways by different audiences. P11. The play The Taming of the Shrew was made by Gil Junger into the movie

10 Things I Hate About You. P12. The part of the “shrew” was played by Julia Stiles. P13. Whatever you think about the play, it will be enjoyed by you. P14. Shakespeare’s plays are loved by people who have read them. P