Active and Passive Voices

1. Active and Passive Voices Dr. John Eigenauer Taft College

2. Passive Voice • Passive voice is the voice that indicates that the subject is the recipient of action. • Example: The ball was thrown by the boy.

3. Active Voice • Active voice is the voice that indicates that the subject acts. • Example: The boy threw the ball.

4. Rule • Active voice is often a better writing choice than passive voice.

5. Practice with active voice • All operations should be performed by certified plastic surgeons. • Certified plastic surgeons should perform all operations.

6. Practice with active voice • She never thought that she would be hurt by her husband. • She never thought that her husband would hurt her.

7. Practice with active voice • A mistake was madeby the doctor, so he was suedby the patient. • The doctor made a mistake, so the patient sued him.

8. Passive voice with “be”. • Passive voice can consist of “to be” with an adjective. • Example: The doctor considered actions by the patient to be unacceptable. • Active voice: The doctor considered the patient’s actions unacceptable.

9. Practice • Example: There can be no doubt that his actions were dishonest. • Active voice: There can be no doubt that he acted dishonestly.

10. Practice • Example: I thought that they would be doubtful of my story. • Active voice: I thought that they would doubt my story.

11. Acceptable passive voice • Passive voice can be used to emphasize what happens to something or someone. • Example: The corpse was dragged into the street.