Active and Passive Verbs

1. Active and Passive Verbs

2. Active Verbs • The verb is active if the subject is doing the action • Tommy threw the ball. • The subject, Tommy, is doing the action.

3. Passive Verbs • A verb is passive if the subject does not do the action. • A ball was thrown by Tommy. • The subject, ball, is not doing the action.

4. Is it active or passive? • A mother mallard duck protects her babies. • Does the subject do the action? • Yes! The mother mallard duck does the action. In this sentence, “protects” is an active verb.

5. Is it active or passive? • Ducklingsare protected by their feathers. • Does the subject do the action? • No! The feathers do the action. In this sentence, “are protected” is a passive verb.

6. Is it active or passive? • Within a day of hatching, the babiesare led to the water by their mother. • Does the subject do the action? • No! The mother does the action. In this sentence, “are led” is a passive verb.

7. Is it active or passive? • In 50 or 60 days, the ducksfly off to independence. • Does the subject do the action? • Yes! The ducks do the action. In this sentence, “fly” is an active verb.

8. Is it active or passive? • Their quackingcan be heard by everyone! • Does the subject do the action? • No! Everyone is doing the action. In this sentence, “can be heard” is a passive verb.